Damage of surfaces in sliding electrical contact copper steel

Copper/steel couple is used for transmission of high electrical power under high electrical tension and high electrical current density for good mecha nical, thermal and electrical properties of copper and for low junction ele ctrical tension between copper/steel metals [A. Bouchoucha, Thesis INPL, Na ncy, France, 1988]. However, high current density in dynamical contact enha nces oxidation process of sliding surface and then can induce electric are and copper damage. Sliding wire copper is damaged by abrasion, by tribooxid ation and by electrical are. We have studied the copper/steel oxidation in sliding electrical contact vs, the mechanical and electrical parameters. Th e influence of electrical current on surface damage is made in evidence and analysed. We will present the tribological results of sliding contact and we discuss the thermoelectromechanical surface damage process vs, mechanica l electrical and thermal parameters. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.