Ag–CdO composites are still one of the most commonly used electrical contact materials in low-voltage applications owing to their excellent electrical and mechanical properties.Nevertheless,considering the restrictio...Ag–CdO composites are still one of the most commonly used electrical contact materials in low-voltage applications owing to their excellent electrical and mechanical properties.Nevertheless,considering the restriction on using Cd due to its toxicity,it is necessary to find alternative materials that can replace these composites.In this study,the synthesis of Ag-ZnO alloys from Ag-Zn solid solutions was investigated by hot mechanochemical processing.The hot mechanochemical processing was conducted in a modified attritor mill at 138℃under flowing O2 at 1200 cm3/min for 3.0 h.The microstructure and phase evolution were investigated using X-ray diffractometry,field emission gun scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.The results suggest that it is possible to complete the oxidation of Ag-Zn solid solution by hot mechanochemical processing at a low temperature and short time.This novel synthesis route can produce Ag-ZnO composites with a homogeneous distribution of nanoscale ZnO precipitates,which is impossible to achieve using the conventional material processing methods.Considering the fact that the fundamental approach to improving electric contact material performance resides in obtaining uniform dispersion of the second-phase in the Ag matrix,this new processing route could open the possibility for Ag-ZnO composites to replace non-environmentally friendly Ag-CdO.展开更多
Cu–15%NbC (volume fraction) powder was synthesized using the starting powders of Cu, Nb and graphite in a high energy vibratory disc mill for 7 h of milling under argon atmosphere. A composite sample and a C...Cu–15%NbC (volume fraction) powder was synthesized using the starting powders of Cu, Nb and graphite in a high energy vibratory disc mill for 7 h of milling under argon atmosphere. A composite sample and a Cu/NbC functionally graded material (FGM) sample were produced by using the two-step press and sintering at 900 °C for 1 h under vacuum. The microstructure and physical and mechanical properties of the specimens were investigated. The field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the synthesis of the nanostructure matrix of 18–27 nm with the nanoparticles reinforcement of 42 nm after sintering, verifying the thermal stability of this composite at high temperature. The hardness of Cu–15%NbC was five times greater than that of the pure Cu specimen. The volume reduction of the sample after the wear test decreased in comparison with the pure Cu specimen. The electrical conductivity of the composite specimen decreased to 36.68% IACS. The FGM specimen exhibited high electrical conductivity corresponding to 75.83% IACS with the same hardness and wear properties as those of the composite sample on the composite surface. Thus, Cu/NbC FGM with good mechanical and electrical properties can be a good candidate for electrical contact applications.展开更多
基金financially supported by the FONDECYT(Project No.11100284)the Metallurgy Department of University of Atacama for the XRD and SEM analysis(Projects EQM130125 and EQUV 003)
文摘Ag–CdO composites are still one of the most commonly used electrical contact materials in low-voltage applications owing to their excellent electrical and mechanical properties.Nevertheless,considering the restriction on using Cd due to its toxicity,it is necessary to find alternative materials that can replace these composites.In this study,the synthesis of Ag-ZnO alloys from Ag-Zn solid solutions was investigated by hot mechanochemical processing.The hot mechanochemical processing was conducted in a modified attritor mill at 138℃under flowing O2 at 1200 cm3/min for 3.0 h.The microstructure and phase evolution were investigated using X-ray diffractometry,field emission gun scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.The results suggest that it is possible to complete the oxidation of Ag-Zn solid solution by hot mechanochemical processing at a low temperature and short time.This novel synthesis route can produce Ag-ZnO composites with a homogeneous distribution of nanoscale ZnO precipitates,which is impossible to achieve using the conventional material processing methods.Considering the fact that the fundamental approach to improving electric contact material performance resides in obtaining uniform dispersion of the second-phase in the Ag matrix,this new processing route could open the possibility for Ag-ZnO composites to replace non-environmentally friendly Ag-CdO.
基金Sharif University of Technology for the financial support
文摘Cu–15%NbC (volume fraction) powder was synthesized using the starting powders of Cu, Nb and graphite in a high energy vibratory disc mill for 7 h of milling under argon atmosphere. A composite sample and a Cu/NbC functionally graded material (FGM) sample were produced by using the two-step press and sintering at 900 °C for 1 h under vacuum. The microstructure and physical and mechanical properties of the specimens were investigated. The field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the synthesis of the nanostructure matrix of 18–27 nm with the nanoparticles reinforcement of 42 nm after sintering, verifying the thermal stability of this composite at high temperature. The hardness of Cu–15%NbC was five times greater than that of the pure Cu specimen. The volume reduction of the sample after the wear test decreased in comparison with the pure Cu specimen. The electrical conductivity of the composite specimen decreased to 36.68% IACS. The FGM specimen exhibited high electrical conductivity corresponding to 75.83% IACS with the same hardness and wear properties as those of the composite sample on the composite surface. Thus, Cu/NbC FGM with good mechanical and electrical properties can be a good candidate for electrical contact applications.
