A hardware review of electrical contact aging and performance in electromechanical stronglinks

Conference · Mon Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1997

OSTI ID:634129

Pebbles, D E; Ohlhausen, J A; Varga, K S ^[1]; Bryan, R M ^[2]

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1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. Allied Signal Federal Manufacturing and Technology, Kansas City, MO (United States)

Contacts from the functional switch assembly have been examined for a series of MC2969 stronglinks varying from 9 to 14 years of age. Wear tracks are apparent on the contacts as a result of oxide removal by wiping action as the switch is exercised. Typical contaminants observed on the contacts include C, O, S, Cl, F and Si, all of which vary with position on the contacts. All of the contacts show segregation of Ag into the near-surface region. Measurement of the local contact resistance on the ends of the contacts provide resistance values that are reasonable for this material, but with variation among contacts as a result of changes in the local surface chemistry.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 634129
• Report Number(s): SAND-97-2007C; CONF-970982-; ON: DE98000198; BR: DP0401017; TRN: AHC2DT01%%140
• Resource Relation: Conference: 21. aging, compatibility, and stockpile stewardship conference, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 30 Sep - 2 Oct 1997; Other Information: PBD: Sep 1997
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER CATEGORIES
OXIDES
SWITCHES
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PHYSICAL PROTECTION DEVICES