Characteristics of Sliding Electric Contact between Couples of Carbon and Metal Materials

摘要

Carbon and copper materials are commonly used for pantograph and catenary system in railways, and the sliding electric contact has a prominent effect on the current-collection quality of pantograph and catenary system. This paper presents the key characteristics of sliding electric contact between couples of carbon and metal materials, where the contact resistance, the temperature rise and the micro morphology are respectively examined. Firstly, changes of contact resistance with the current, contact force and the speed were studied. Meanwhile, influence of the current on the characteristics of temperature rise of the carbon strip was discussed. Finally, the micro morphology of carbon strip was illustrated under different conditions, and discussed with the simulation results based on a magneto-hydrodynamic model.