Characteristics of Electrical Contact of Internally Oxidized Silver-Zinc Alloys Containing Several Metals

Abstract

Ag-2∼10 at%Zn alloys containing small amounts of several metals such as 1 at%Sn, 1 at%In, 0.5 at%Te, 0.5∼3 at%Cu and 0.5 at%Li were internally oxidized in the air, and at 0.1 and 0.5 MPa oxygen pressures at 1073 and 1123 K. The characteristics of the electrical contact, such as welding adhesion resistance, erosion resistance and contact resistance were investigated.
(1) Internally oxidized Ag-8∼10Zn-0.5Te, Ag-6Zn-1Sn-0.5Te and Ag-4∼6Zn-1Sn-1In-0.5Te alloys are superior to the electrical contact. (2) The welding adhesion resistance is affected by both the oxide content and the dispersed structure. On the other hand, the erosion resistance is affected by the oxide content, but not by the dispersed structure. (3) The contact resistance increases with increasing oxide content, as well as with the addition of Sn and In.