Surface Damage Evaluation of Tungsten/Copper Composites by Electric Arcing Test

Tungsten/copper composites had already been used for electric arc resistance parts. However, the arcing resistant properties of tungsten/copper composites, were not clarified. Therefore, the surface damage behaviors of tungsten/copper composites were investigated by electric arcing test. In this study, the electric arcing test apparatus with a cooling function was newly developed for the arcing resistant evaluation of tungsten/copper composites. As a result, it was verified using the electric arcing test apparatus that the surface damage of tungsten/copper composites could be evaluated. Also, it was confirmed by SEM observation and X-ray diffraction analysis that the surface erosion of tungsten/copper composites was extremely increased in case of the positive polarity and Ar+SF6 atmosphere and this phenomenon was caused by the reaction with the decomposed gas of SF6.