Micro/Nano-Mechanical Behavior and Microstructure Evolution of Eco-Friendly Ag/Ti2SnC Composite Electrical Contacts Under Multi-Field Coupled Erosion
Received date: 2022-10-13
Revised date: 2023-04-05
Online published: 2023-04-17
Supported by
National Natural Science Foundation of China(52101064);National Natural Science Foundation of China(52171033);Jiangsu Planned Projects for Postdoctoral Research Funds(2020Z158);Open Project of Key Laboratory of Green Fabrication and Surface Technology of Advanced Metal Materials(GFST2020KF04)
Silver (Ag)-matrix-composite electrical contact materials (ECMs) are widely used in railway, manufacturing, electric power distribution, and aerospace systems, owing to their excellent electrical and thermal conductivities and good mechanical and anti-erosion properties. In particular, they play a key role in low-voltage switches, which are vital in the global electrical economy. To date, substituting the toxic Ag/CdO ECMs has become a bottleneck in the development of low-voltage switches. Over the past decades, Ag/SnO2, Ag/ZnO, Ag/Ni, and Ag/C have been exploited as substitutes for Ag/CdO ECMs, but their intrinsic defects make them unsuitable; therefore, there is still an urgent need to develop eco-friendly substitutes for CdO. Recently, MAX-phase materials, which combine attractively dual metal and ceramic properties, have shown potential in replacing CdO as a reinforcement for Ag-matrix composites. Moreover, arc erosion is a common cause of the premature failure of low-voltage switches in applications. To aid the further development of MAX-reinforced Ag-matrix-composite contacts, there is a need to understand the mechanism of arc erosion and degradation of the microstructural and mechanical properties of the composites. Nano-indentation is the most common and stable method of evaluating the micromechanical properties of materials. In this study, micro-/nano-indentation tests were performed along the cross-section of Ag/Ti2SnC contacts (from the arc erosion layer to the near arc erosion layer and then to the matrix interior). The gradient variation of the microhardness, nanohardness, modulus, creep behavior, and plastic/elastic depth in different areas was analyzed and contrasted in the direction of the electrical arc erosion. The micromorphology and elemental composition were comprehensively analyzed, and the structural and compositional evolution of the Ti2SnC reinforcement phase and Ag matrix were investigated. The relationship between the gradient structural change and micro-/nano-mechanical properties of the Ag/Ti2SnC composites was analyzed. COMSOL simulations were employed to further demonstrate the physical characteristics of multi-field coupled erosion in the Ag/Ti2SnC composites; based on these analyses, we propose an erosion mechanism for the composites. This study not only provides insights into the intrinsic relationship between the structure and properties of Ag/MAX composites under arc erosion but also paves the way for the future design and development of eco-friendly contact materials for low-voltage switches.
DING Kuankuan , DING Jianxiang , ZHANG Kaige , BAI Zhongchen , ZHANG Peigen , SUN Zhengming . Micro/Nano-Mechanical Behavior and Microstructure Evolution of Eco-Friendly Ag/Ti2SnC Composite Electrical Contacts Under Multi-Field Coupled Erosion[J]. Acta Metall Sin, 2024 , 60(12) : 1731 -1745 . DOI: 10.11900/0412.1961.2022.00520
| 1 | Pons F, Cherkaoui M, Ilali I, et al. Evolution of the AgCdO contact material surface microstructure with the number of arcs [J]. J. Electron. Mater., 2010, 39: 456 |
| 2 | Teixeira F D S M, Peres A C D C, Gomes T S, et al. A review on the applicability of life cycle assessment to evaluate the technical and environmental properties of waste electrical and electronic equipment [J]. J. Polym. Environ., 2021, 29: 1333 |
| 3 | Wang X H, Li G J, Zou J T, et al. Investigation on preparation, microstructure, and properties of AgTiB2 composite [J]. J. Compos. Mater., 2011, 45: 1285 |
| 4 | Yang R, Liu S H, Cui H, et al. Quasi-continuous network structure greatly improved the anti-arc-erosion capability of Ag/Y2O3 electrical contacts [J]. Materials, 2022, 15: 2450 |
| 5 | Barsoum M W. The MN + 1 AXN phases: A new class of solids: Thermodynamically stable nanolaminates [J]. Prog. Solid State Chem., 2000, 28: 201 |
| 6 | Hu W Q, Huang Z Y, Wang Y B, et al. Layered ternary MAX phases and their MX particulate derivative reinforced metal matrix composite: A review [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2021, 856: 157313 |
| 7 | Zhou Y C, Xiang H M, Dai F Z. Y5Si3C and Y3Si2C2: Theoretically predicted MAX phase like damage tolerant ceramics and promising interphase materials for SiCf/SiC composites [J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2019, 35: 313 |
| 8 | He H T, Jin S, Fan G X, et al. Synthesis mechanisms and thermal stability of ternary carbide Mo2Ga2C [J]. Ceram. Int., 2018, 44: 22289 |
| 9 | Sun Z M. Progress in research and development on MAX phases: A family of layered ternary compounds [J]. Int. Mater. Rev., 2011, 56: 143 |
| 10 | Ding J X, Tian W B, Wang D D, et al. Corrosion and degradation mechanism of Ag/Ti3AlC2 composites under dynamic electric arc discharge [J]. Corros. Sci., 2019, 156: 147 |
| 11 | Ding J Y, Tian W B, Zhang P G, et al. Arc erosion behavior of Ag/Ti3AlC2 electrical contact materials [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2018, 740: 669 |
| 12 | Ding K K, Zhang K G, Ding J X, et al. Effect of Al atomic layer on the wetting behavior, interface structure and electrical contact properties of silver reinforced by Ti3AlC2 ceramic [J]. Ceram. Int., 2022, 48: 190 |
| 13 | Liu M M, Chen J L, Cui H, et al. Temperature-driven deintercalation and structure evolution of Ag/Ti3AlC2 composites [J]. Ceram. Int., 2018, 44: 18129 |
| 14 | Sun Z M, Ding J X, Zhang P G, et al. A preparation method for Ti SnC enhanced Ag-based electrical contact material [P]. Chin Pat, CN106119593A, 2016 |
| 孙正明, 丁健翔, 张培根 等. 一种Ti SnC增强Ag基电触头材料的制备方法 [P]. 中国专利, CN106119593A, 2016 | |
| 15 | Tian Z H, Zhang P G, Liu Y S, et al. Research progress and outlook of metal whisker spontaneous growth on MAX phase substrates [J]. Acta Metall. Sin., 2022, 58: 295 |
| 田志华, 张培根, 刘玉爽 等. MAX相表面金属晶须自发生长现象的研究现状与展望 [J]. 金属学报, 2022, 58: 295 | |
| 16 | Huang X C, Feng Y, Qian G, et al. Influence of breakdown voltages on arc erosion of a Ti3AlC2 cathode in an air atmosphere [J]. Ceram. Int., 2017, 43: 10601 |
| 17 | Liu M M, Chen J L, Cui H, et al. Ag/Ti3AlC2 composites with high hardness, high strength and high conductivity [J]. Mater. Lett., 2018, 213: 269 |
| 18 | Wang D D, Tian W B, Ma A B, et al. Anisotropic properties of Ag/Ti3AlC2 electrical contact materials prepared by equal channel angular pressing [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2019, 784: 431 |
| 19 | Zhang M, Tian W B, Zhang P G, et al. Microstructure and properties of Ag-Ti3SiC2 contact materials prepared by pressureless sintering [J]. Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 2018, 25: 810 |
| 20 | Ding J X, Tian W B, Zhang P G, et al. Preparation and arc erosion properties of Ag/Ti2SnC composites under electric arc discharging [J]. J. Adv. Ceram., 2019, 8: 90 |
| 21 | Ding J X, Huang P Y, Zha Y H, et al. High-purity Ti2AlC powder: Preparation and application in Ag-based electrical contact materials [J]. J. Inorg. Mater., 2020, 35: 729 |
| 丁健翔, 黄培艳, 查余辉 等. 高纯Ti2AlC粉末的无压制备及其在Ag基电触头材料的应用 [J]. 无机材料学报， 2020, 35: 729 | |
| 22 | Huang X C, Feng Y, Qian G, et al. Erosion behavior of Ti3AlC2 cathode under atmosphere air arc [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2017, 727: 419 |
| 23 | Huang X C, Feng Y, Ge J L, et al. Arc erosion mechanism of Ag-Ti3SiC2 material [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2020, 817: 152741 |
| 24 | Ding J X, Tian W B, Wang D D, et al. Arc erosion and degradation mechanism of Ag/Ti2AlC composite [J]. Acta Metall. Sin., 2019, 55: 627 |
| 丁健翔, 田无边, 汪丹丹 等. Ag/Ti2AlC复合材料的电弧侵蚀及退化机理 [J]. 金属学报, 2019, 55: 627 | |
| 25 | Ding J X, Tian W B, Wang D D, et al. Microstructure evolution, oxidation behavior and corrosion mechanism of Ag/Ti2SnC composite during dynamic electric arc discharging [J]. J. Alloys Compd., 2019, 785: 1086 |
| 26 | Y?lmaz E, ?ak?ro?lu B, G?k?e A, et al. Novel hydroxyapatite/graphene oxide/collagen bioactive composite coating on Ti16Nb alloys by electrodeposition [J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2019, C101: 292 |
| 27 | Büor B, Giuntini D, Domènech B, et al. Nanoindentation-based study of the mechanical behavior of bulk supercrystalline ceramic-organic nanocomposites [J]. J. Eur. Ceram. Soc., 2019, 39: 3247 |
| 28 | Hu C L, Yao S, Zou F B, et al. Insights into the influencing factors on the micro-mechanical properties of calcium-silicate-hydrate gel [J]. J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 2019, 102: 1942 |
| 29 | Zhang J S, Liu X J, Cui H, et al. Mechanical properties around reinforce particles in metal matrix composites characterized by nanoindentation technique [J]. Acta Metall. Sin., 1997, 33: 548 |
| 张济山, 刘兴江, 崔 华 等. 金属基复合材料相界面区力学性能显微力学探针分析 [J]. 金属学报, 1997, 33: 548 | |
| 30 | Yazdani Z, Toroghinejad M R, Edris H. Effects of annealing on the fabrication of Al-TiAl3 nanocomposites before and after accumulative roll bonding and evaluation of strengthening mechanisms [J]. Acta Metall. Sin. (Engl. Lett.), 2022, 35: 636 |
| 31 | Oliver W C, Pharr G M. An improved technique for determining hardness and elastic modulus using load and displacement sensing indentation experiments [J]. J. Mater. Res., 1992, 7: 1564 |
| 32 | Huang C X, Lin W Q, Lai C H, et al. Coupling the post-extraction process to remove residual lignin and alter the recalcitrant structures for improving the enzymatic digestibility of acid-pretreated bamboo residues [J]. Bioresour. Technol., 2019, 285: 121355 |
| 33 | Wang X, Guan R G, Shang Y Q, et al. Evolution of bonding interface in Al/Al-Mg-Si alloy clad wire during heating at 500oC [J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2017, A679: 538 |
| 34 | Zhao Y H, Jing J H, Chen L W, et al. Current research status of interface of ceramic-metal laminated composite material for armor protection [J]. Acta Metall. Sin., 2021, 57: 1107 |
| 赵宇宏, 景舰辉, 陈利文 等. 装甲防护陶瓷-金属叠层复合材料界面研究进展 [J]. 金属学报, 2021, 57: 1107 | |
| 35 | Li S B, Bei G P, Chen X D, et al. Crack healing induced electrical and mechanical properties recovery in a Ti2SnC ceramic [J]. J. Eur. Ceram. Soc., 2016, 36: 25 |
| 36 | Hoyaux M F. Arc Physics [M]. Springer Science & Business Media, 2013: 304 |
| 37 | Wang J B, Zhang Y, Yang M G, et al. Observation of arc discharging process of nanocomposite Ag-SnO2 and La-doped Ag-SnO2 contact with a high-speed camera [J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2006, B131: 230 |
| 38 | Gu L, Zhu Y M, He G J, et al. Coupled numerical simulation of arc plasma channel evolution and discharge crater formation in arc discharge machining [J]. Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 2019, 135: 674 |
| 39 | Humenik M, Kingery W D. Metal-ceramic interactions: III, Surface tension and wettability of metal-ceramic systems [J]. J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 1954, 37: 18 |
| 40 | Chen J X, Li J L, Zhou Y C. In-situ synthesis of Ti3AlC2/TiC-Al2O3 composite from TiO2-Al-C system [J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2006, 22: 455 |
| 41 | Kumashiro Y, Itoh A, Kinoshita T, et al. The micro-Vickers hardness of TiC single crystals up to 1500oC [J]. J. Mater. Sci., 1977, 12: 595 |
| 42 | Zhao J H, Liu J, Li N, et al. Highly efficient removal of bivalent heavy metals from aqueous systems by magnetic porous Fe3O4-MnO2: Adsorption behavior and process study [J]. Chem. Eng. J., 2016, 304: 737 |
/
| 〈 |
|
〉 |
