Study on the evolution of discharge times on electrical contact properties of Ag-V2AlC composite material
An Ag-20 vol.% V2AlC composite material was prepared using the spark plasma sintering method. The influence of the number of arc discharge on the electrical contact performance of Ag-V2AlC composites was systematically investigated. For the first time, we observed that the arc ablation mechanism evo...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Materials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1574358/full |
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| author | Xiaochen Huang Xiaochen Huang Jinlong Ge Jinlong Ge Zijue Zhou Junyang Hong Dabao Zhang Tianle Xu |
| author_facet | Xiaochen Huang Xiaochen Huang Jinlong Ge Jinlong Ge Zijue Zhou Junyang Hong Dabao Zhang Tianle Xu |
| author_sort | Xiaochen Huang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | An Ag-20 vol.% V2AlC composite material was prepared using the spark plasma sintering method. The influence of the number of arc discharge on the electrical contact performance of Ag-V2AlC composites was systematically investigated. For the first time, we observed that the arc ablation mechanism evolves with increasing discharge cycles. During single arc ablation, the arc preferentially discharges the Ag phase owing to its lower work function. This process creates a relatively flat ablation region where the V2AlC reinforcement and Ag matrix remain distinct. The V2AlC phase acts as a pinning agent within the Ag matrix, effectively suppressing material splatter. After 10 discharge cycles, the ablation edge of the Ag-V2AlC material develops a mountain-like morphology. This structure prevents material splashing and results in no pores or splatter on the surface. The phase boundary between V2AlC and Ag becomes less distinct, while the breakdown current stabilizes between 19.9 A and 24.1 A. Concurrently, the breakdown strength fluctuates within 4.3 × 106 V/m to 8.2 × 106 V/m. Following 100 discharge cycles, the Ag and V2AlC phases are no longer distinguishable in the ablation area. Micro-protrusions form in the central ablation region, enhancing the local electric field and ultimately reducing the breakdown strength. As discharges increase further, the concentration of low-work-function oxides (V2O5, Al2O3, and Ag2O) rises. These oxides dominate the arc discharge process, further diminishing the breakdown strength. Consequently, the breakdown strength exhibits a three-stage decreasing trend. Although the ablation area expands with discharge cycles, oxide formation increases the molten pool viscosity, preventing significant splatter at the ablation edge. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for designing novel electrical contact materials with enhanced performance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3e995d3da2044546b06c55fba8f3ddfb |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2296-8016 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Materials |
| spelling | doaj-art-3e995d3da2044546b06c55fba8f3ddfb2025-08-20T01:49:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Materials2296-80162025-03-011210.3389/fmats.2025.15743581574358Study on the evolution of discharge times on electrical contact properties of Ag-V2AlC composite materialXiaochen Huang0Xiaochen Huang1Jinlong Ge2Jinlong Ge3Zijue Zhou4Junyang Hong5Dabao Zhang6Tianle Xu7School of Material and Chemical Engineering, Bengbu University, Bengbu, Anhui, ChinaEngineering Technology Research Center of Silicon-Based Materials, Bengbu University, Anhui, ChinaSchool of Material and Chemical Engineering, Bengbu University, Bengbu, Anhui, ChinaEngineering Technology Research Center of Silicon-Based Materials, Bengbu University, Anhui, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Huainan Normal University, Huainan, ChinaSchool of Material and Chemical Engineering, Bengbu University, Bengbu, Anhui, ChinaSchool of Material and Chemical Engineering, Bengbu University, Bengbu, Anhui, ChinaSchool of Material and Chemical Engineering, Bengbu University, Bengbu, Anhui, ChinaAn Ag-20 vol.% V2AlC composite material was prepared using the spark plasma sintering method. The influence of the number of arc discharge on the electrical contact performance of Ag-V2AlC composites was systematically investigated. For the first time, we observed that the arc ablation mechanism evolves with increasing discharge cycles. During single arc ablation, the arc preferentially discharges the Ag phase owing to its lower work function. This process creates a relatively flat ablation region where the V2AlC reinforcement and Ag matrix remain distinct. The V2AlC phase acts as a pinning agent within the Ag matrix, effectively suppressing material splatter. After 10 discharge cycles, the ablation edge of the Ag-V2AlC material develops a mountain-like morphology. This structure prevents material splashing and results in no pores or splatter on the surface. The phase boundary between V2AlC and Ag becomes less distinct, while the breakdown current stabilizes between 19.9 A and 24.1 A. Concurrently, the breakdown strength fluctuates within 4.3 × 106 V/m to 8.2 × 106 V/m. Following 100 discharge cycles, the Ag and V2AlC phases are no longer distinguishable in the ablation area. Micro-protrusions form in the central ablation region, enhancing the local electric field and ultimately reducing the breakdown strength. As discharges increase further, the concentration of low-work-function oxides (V2O5, Al2O3, and Ag2O) rises. These oxides dominate the arc discharge process, further diminishing the breakdown strength. Consequently, the breakdown strength exhibits a three-stage decreasing trend. Although the ablation area expands with discharge cycles, oxide formation increases the molten pool viscosity, preventing significant splatter at the ablation edge. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for designing novel electrical contact materials with enhanced performance.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1574358/fullAg-V2AlCAg-MAXelectrical contact materialbreakdown strengtharc ablation |
| spellingShingle | Xiaochen Huang Xiaochen Huang Jinlong Ge Jinlong Ge Zijue Zhou Junyang Hong Dabao Zhang Tianle Xu Study on the evolution of discharge times on electrical contact properties of Ag-V2AlC composite material Frontiers in Materials Ag-V2AlC Ag-MAX electrical contact material breakdown strength arc ablation |
| title | Study on the evolution of discharge times on electrical contact properties of Ag-V2AlC composite material |
| title_full | Study on the evolution of discharge times on electrical contact properties of Ag-V2AlC composite material |
| title_fullStr | Study on the evolution of discharge times on electrical contact properties of Ag-V2AlC composite material |
| title_full_unstemmed | Study on the evolution of discharge times on electrical contact properties of Ag-V2AlC composite material |
| title_short | Study on the evolution of discharge times on electrical contact properties of Ag-V2AlC composite material |
| title_sort | study on the evolution of discharge times on electrical contact properties of ag v2alc composite material |
| topic | Ag-V2AlC Ag-MAX electrical contact material breakdown strength arc ablation |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmats.2025.1574358/full |
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