Arc erosion tests and study of surface of Ag-WC contacts after arc switching operations

This work presents investigation results of surface structures formed on contacts made of Ag-WC composite materials during arc operation on breaking currents 6 kA. The contacts were made using the method of sintering compacts from mixtures of Ag and WC powders. Electrical tests were carried out under standardized conditions. In the paper, the results of SEM investigations are presented for surface structures after arc tests, and the interpretation of phenomena, as a result of which these structures were created.