Analysis of erosion resistance of CuC arcing contacts manufactured by plasma spraying technology

Abstract

Results of the erosion resistance study of the CuC electrodes manufactured by plasma spraying technology are presented. The diagnostics has have been performed by means of high-speed camera technique and optical emission spectroscopy which has been synchronised with electrical diagnostics. After the load material analyses, namely determination of mass loss and analysis of micro sections, have been done. It has been found that the erosion rate depends on conditions applied for the formation of coating layer, which was deposited either in air or in argon plasma. Furthermore, the erosion rate is significantly lower in the case of air plasma spraying.