Sliding Wear Characteristics of C/C Composite Pantograph Contact Strip

Abstract

The wear characteristics of copper alloy infiltrated C/C composite contact strips were investigated to identify their dominating wear mechanisms. In this study, we conducted a series of wear experiments, field tests, and measurements of the physical properties of the C/C composite contact strips. The results of the wear experiments indicated that the wear of C/C composite contact strips was proportional to the electric charge of the arc. The C/C composite contact strips with high strength carbon fiber were more likely to wear under high arc discharge energy conditions. From the results of the wear experiments and field tests, it was found that the wear of the C/C composite contact strip increased significantly when the infiltrated copper alloy was melted and ejected from the inside of the contact strip. The main wear mechanisms of the C/C composite contact strips were found to be oxidative wear and adhesive wear.