Metal-Based Electrical Contact Materials

Electrical contact materials (ECMsElectrical contact materials (ECMs) are widely used as relays, low voltage circuitCircuit breakers, switchesSwitch, and contactorsContactors in the electricalElectrical powerPower systems, machinery, and automotive industriesIndustry to ensure efficient operation and stopping of energyEnergy-generating and transmissionTransmission vehicles. These materials are responsible for the conduction of electricalElectrical currentCurrent between stationary and moving parts. The efficiencyEfficiency of ECMsElectrical contact materials (ECMs) depends on the electricalElectrical and thermal conductivitiesThermal conductivity, hardnessHardness, wear resistanceWear resistance, and chemical stabilityChemical stability. MetalsMetal such as Cu, Ag, and Au can be used as ECMsElectrical contact materials (ECMs) due to high electricalElectrical and thermal conductivityThermal conductivity propertiesProperties. Although Cu has a high electricalElectrical and thermal conductivityThermal conductivity, one of the most critical disadvantagesDisadvantage of Cu is its easy oxidationOxidation and poor wear resistanceWear resistance, even at low temperaturesTemperature. Ag has high electricalElectrical and thermal conductivitiesThermal conductivity with excellent oxidation resistanceOxidation resistance, but its high pricePrice and low wear resistanceWear resistance are major obstacles for ECMsElectrical contact materials (ECMs). In order to overcome these problems, researchers are working on different and novel production methods, original alloyAlloy, and compositeComposite types. Despite the fact that the first preferred method for preparing ECMsElectrical contact materials (ECMs) is powder metallurgyPowder metallurgy, it requires a large number of devicesDevice and shaping molds, such as mixersMixer, and mechanicalMechanical or hydraulic pressesHydraulic presses with a long production process. Moreover, ECMsElectrical contact materials (ECMs) produced by powder metallurgyPowder metallurgy method may exhibit joint errorsJoint errors such as gaping and separationSeparation due to joining methodsJoining methods such as solderingSoldering and diffusionDiffusion. The most effective method for the the fabrication of ECMsElectrical contact materials (ECMs) in the future is the additive manufacturingAdditive manufacturing (AM) technique, although it is still early for commercial manufacturers. AM is an advanced manufacturing technology that enables the production of complexComplex-shaped parts in layers, unlike traditional manufacturing methods. Using this method, ECMsElectrical contact materials (ECMs) can be produced to have faster, equivalent, or better propertiesProperties than their counterparts produced by conventional methods. Moreover, the researchers focused their work on compositeComposite ECMsElectrical contact materials (ECMs) as an alternative to conventional parts because wear resistanceWear resistance can be increased using ECMsElectrical contact materials (ECMs) without a significant reduction of electricalElectrical and thermal conductivitiesThermal conductivity. The purpose of this chapter is to identify applicationApplication areas, environmentalEnvironmental effects, economic value, performancePerformance requirements, and production methods of ECMSElectrical contact materials (ECMs). In addition, the research findings on on metal-based ECMsMetal-based ECMs are discussed with the support of the literature.