Wear Behavior of Metals in Dry Sliding against Molybdenum with Current Collection

The possibility of high electrical conductivity of dry sliding electrical contact against a molybdenum counterface was studied. It was found that metals W and Cu were not able to form a sliding electrical contact with high wear resistance at current density higher 100 A/cm 2 . The characteristics of the contacts of iron containing metals were slightly better than the contact characteristics of nonferrous metals owing to weaker adhesion. Using X-ray phase analysis, the absence of oxides in the sliding zone of nonferrous metals was shown. This led to their strong wear and low electrical conductivity of contact. In the contact zone of iron-containing samples, the formation of FeO was observed, which made it possible to reduce wear. This means that high electrical conductivity is unattainable in sliding with current collection against molybdenum.