Effect of electric load characteristics on the arc erosion behavior of Ag-8wt.%Ni electrical contact material prepared by spark plasma sintering

[Display omitted] •Arc erosion at different electric load conditions for AgNi material is studied.•The relation of metallurgical change and arc erosion behavior is established.•Welding and material transfer mechanisms are proposed.•Arc erosion mechanism is discussed based on the analysis of arc waveforms. To clarify the effect of electric load characteristics on the arc erosion behavior of Ag-Ni electrical contact material, the Ag-8 wt.%Ni material was prepared by powder metallurgy and spark plasma sintering techniques. The arc-erosion tests were performed at inductive and resistive load, respectively. Based on the analysis of the arc parameters, mass change, and eroded morphology, the arc erosion mechanisms were discussed as well. The results show that the bounce height significantly influence the arc parameters. Furthermore, the gradual deterioration of eroded surface can also cause the change in bounce height with operation times, which further results in the variation in arc parameters. Additionally, the resistive load causes far below mass loss than the inductive load, meanwhile, the lower arc power presents at the resistive load. This can be attributed to the current/voltage shock triggered by the inductor and the high current level maintained also by the inductor due to the frequent connection and interruption of current.