Microstructure and arc erosion characteristics of Ag/Ni contacts by mechanical alloying

Ag70/Ni30 contact alloy is prepared by the process of mechanical alloying and subsequent hot pressing. Results detected by X-ray diffraction and transmission electronic microscope indicate that this alloy is a mixture of "huge" Ag-rich matrix and micro-scaled or nanocrystalline Ni-rich particles. The fine particles strengthen alloy mechanically and their uniform dispersion also improve arc erosion morphology to a large extend, compared with situation of traditional materials prepared through power metallurgy technique.