Surface physics and chemistry of electrical contact phenomena
Abstract
The objectives of this research can be divided into two parts. One part was concerned with the improvement of the slip ring-brush assembly, additions of a prototype debris collection system and a stainless steel gas handling system to introduce dry and wet CO2 environments in the vacuum system. The other part of our research dealt with investigations carried out on the microstructural characterization of rotating Cu-Cu electrical contacts in vacuum and wet CO2 environments. The main achievements and results of the past year are listed in the appendices as papers published and accepted for publication. The work mainly consists of investigating the chemical, electrical and wear properties of the rotating interface between OFCH Cu slip ring and two high purity Cu wire brushes in situ in ultra high vacuum and in one atmosphere of wet CO2. The chemical composition of the slip ring surface was determined by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The contact resistance was measured by a potentiometric four point probe technique while the wear properties of the interface and the morphology of the debris were studied by frictional force, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron diffraction (TED), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements.
- Publication:
-
Annual Report
- Pub Date:
- September 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981syra.rept.....V
- Keywords:
-
- Brushes;
- Electric Contacts;
- Electrical Resistance;
- Surface Properties;
- Auger Spectroscopy;
- Chemical Analysis;
- Copper Alloys;
- Electron Microscopy;
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering