Effect of sintering temperature on the physical properties and electrical contact properties of doped AgSnO₂ contact materials

Abstract

AgSnO₂ electrical contact materials doped with Bi₂O₃, La₂O₃, and TiO₂ were successfully fabricated by the powder metallurgy method under different initial sintering temperatures. The electrical conductivity, density, hardness, and contact resistance of the AgSnO₂/Bi2O₃, AgSnO₂/La2O₃, and AgSnO₂/TiO₂ contact materials were measured and analyzed. The arc-eroded surface morphologies of the doped AgSnO₂ contact materials were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of the initial sintering temperature on the physical properties and electrical contact properties of the doped AgSnO₂ contact materials were discussed. The results indicate that the physical properties can be improved and the contact resistance of the AgSnO₂ contact materials can be substantially reduced when the materials are sintered under their optimal initial sintering temperatures.

Keywords

sintering temperature / contact materials / physical properties / electrical contact properties

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