Performance degradation comparisons and failure mechanism of silver metal oxide contact materials in relays application by simulation

The electrical properties of the contact material play a key role in the reliability of the automation system. Generally speaking, the performance indicators of the contact materials include contact resistance, resistance to fusion welding, corrosion resistance, hardness, strength and other related parameters [19]. Qualified contact materials should have good electrical and thermal conductivity, and should also have good mechanical, chemical, and arc-resistant properties as well [18]. In the working process of the contacts of the switch apparatus, there are complex mechanical, electrical, thermal and arc energy conversions, so the traditional analysis method cannot effectively analyze the failure mechanism of low-voltage electrical appliances[10]. Because the silver-based contact material has good conductivity and thermal conductivity and has high oxidation resistance and small contact resistance, it is widely used in the field of low-voltage relays application [15]. AgSnO2, AgCdO and AgNi composite contact materials are widely used for controlling products [9]. It is well known that the electrical life of a low-voltage switching devices is directly related to factors such as switching load conditions, ZhaoBin WANG WeiYan LI Shang SHANG Zhan WANG ChunYang HAN