Cu-Cr Electrode Material Production via Solid Solution Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode materials for vacuum interrupters face challenges in achieving high withstand voltage capability and current breaking capability while maintaining low contact resistance and mechanical strength, as characteristics such as breaking capacity, withstand voltage, and deposition resistance often conflict with each other.
Innovation Solution
A method for producing an electrode material by sintering a mixed powder containing 40-90% Cu, 5-48% Cr, and 2-30% heat-resistant elements, where the heat-resistant element powder and Cr powder are mixed in a ratio where the heat-resistant element is less than Cr, and the resulting solid solution powder is classified to have a particle size of 200 µm or less, then mixed with Cu powder and sintered, optimizing the particle size distribution to enhance electrical characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Cr particle size is reduced to improve breaking current and contact resistance, then electrical characteristics are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to the need for fine texture technology and alloying processes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the particle size parameter of Cr from conventional 200-300 μm to 10-50 μm, and optimizes the content ratio of heat-resistant element to Cr to 0.03-0.3 by mass. This parameter change achieves finer Cr particle distribution and improved electrical characteristics without requiring complex fine texture technology, as the small particle size Cr powder directly provides the desired fine structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material structure by combining Cu base material with Cr particles and heat-resistant element particles in specific ratios. The heat-resistant element (2-10 times smaller particle size than Cr) forms a composite system that accelerates alloying and precipitation of fine Cr-X particles, achieving both improved electrical characteristics and simplified manufacturing compared to conventional single-phase approaches.
2Reliability
If heat-resistant element content is increased to make Cr particles finer, then electrical characteristics are improved, but cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention sets the heat-resistant element content at a precise range: 2-10 times smaller particle size than Cr and 0.03-0.3 mass ratio relative to Cr. This parameter optimization achieves the minimum effective amount needed to accelerate alloying and form fine Cr-X particles, avoiding excessive heat-resistant element addition that would increase cost without proportional benefit to electrical characteristics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method results in an electrode material with improved withstand voltage capability, current breaking capability, and reduced contact resistance, maintaining mechanical strength and workability, enabling the production of vacuum interrupters with high breakdown strength and large capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a solid solution of the heat-resistant element and the Cr is pulverized
Implementation Method 2
method for producing an electrode material by sintering a mixed powder containing 40-90% Cu, 5-48% Cr and 2-30% heat-resistant element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4(a)~4(c)
AI summary
It is a method for producing an electrode material containing Cu, Cr and a heat-resistant element. A heat-resistant element powder and a Cr powder are mixed together in a ratio such that the heat-resistant element is less than the Cr by weight. A mixed powder of the heat-resistant element powder and the Cr powder is baked. A sintered body obtained by the baking and containing a solid solution of the heat-resistant element and the Cr is pulverized, and a solid solution powder obtained by the pulverizing is classified, to have a particle size of 200 µm or less. 10-60 parts by weight of the classified solid solution powder and 90-40 parts by weight of a Cu powder are mixed together, followed by sintering to obtain the electrode material. If a low melting metal powder having a median size of 5-40 µm is mixed with a mixed powder of the solid solution powder and the Cu powder, the deposition resistance property is further improved.