The role of the arc erosion in sever wear of carbon strip/copper contact wire in pantograph-catenry system

Abstract

Experimental tests on friction and wear behavior of copper contact line/carbon strip were carried out under the conditions of different electric current on a pin-on-disc tester. During testing, the coefficient of friction and wear rate were recorded and arc discharge phenomenon was observed. The result indicated that friction coefficient decrease with increase of electric current intensity due to the lubrication role of electric current. As the electric current increased, wear volume distinctly increased due arc discharge ablation. By analysis of SEM micrograph and EDX spectrum on wear surface of carbon strip, it is known that arc erosion, oxidative wear and metal melting are dominant with electric current and abrasive wear and adhesive wear are dominant without electric current.