Effect of impregnation by silicon oil on arc erosion resistance wear of resin-matrix contact strip against copper

The resin-matrix pantograph contact strip (RMPCS) was prepared by using hot re-pressing and vacuum-impregnation process. The tribological behaviors with electrical current of RMPCS against copper were measured under the indoor simulated conditions of normal running conditions. The characteristics of worn surfaces, wear debris, cross-section and typical elemental distributions of RMPCS were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion spectrometer (EDS), respectively. The results show that the wear rate of RMPCS increases with increasing sliding speed and electrical current density. The silicon oil can effectively inhibit the alternating current arc of RMPCS against copper, which is produced periodically between the separating or contacting course. The wear rate of RMPCS against copper without impregnating technology is about 1.6?2.1 times higher than the value with vacuum impregnating technology. The main wear mechanism of RMPCS against copper is arc erosion wear and oxidative wear, which is accompanied by adhesive wear during electrical sliding wear process. Silicon oil has evaporation and thermal decomposition under the stress of electric arc, which can absorb part of arc heat and is beneficial to arc extinguishing.