Numerical Simulation Research on Arc Erosion Amount of Cu-W Alloy Contact Materials

Based on a thermal-fluid coupling mathematical model, this study conducted numerical simulation analysis of arc ablation behavior of copper-tungsten alloy contact materials, systematically investigating the temperature distribution, morphological evolution, and mass loss patterns of contacts under high-temperature arc conditions. The results demonstrate that with increasing copper content in the copper-tungsten alloy, both the deformation degree and mass loss of contacts are significantly reduced. Through comprehensive analysis of the arc ablation process, it is found that employing copper-tungsten alloy contacts with high copper content can effectively enhance their durability and arc erosion resistance, thereby ensuring the stability and reliability of circuit breakers during short-circuit current interruption.