About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Enhancing Materials by Changing Surfaces and Interfaces: An EPD/FMD/LMD/SMD Symposium in Honor of Jaroslaw Drelich
|
| Presentation Title |
Observation of In-Service Surface Evolution on Slip Ring Electrical Contacts |
| Author(s) |
Patrick K. Bowen, Grant Justice |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Patrick K. Bowen |
| Abstract Scope |
In the course of testing the electromechanical performance of low-energy slip ring electrical contacts, metallurgical changes occurring at the contact interface of noble metal slip ring assemblies were observed. Using appropriate characterization techniques including SWLI and SEM-EDS, we share observations on the evolution of both brush and ring surfaces from initial contact through various service intervals. Results reveal significant near-surface mechanical alloying, with elemental migration between palladium- and gold-based alloys creating compositionally distinct interfacial regions. These results are compared with characterization performed in the literature on systems that exhibit varying degrees of adhesive and abrasive wear. The development and stability of beneficial microconstituents acting as tribofilms correlate with electrical performance, particularly in the area of electrical noise. Correlation with operating conditions, including load, speed, and environmental conditions, will be reviewed. These findings provide critical insights into the complex tribological interactions underlying long-term reliability in signal-level sliding electrical contact systems. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Stand-alone book in which only your symposium’s papers would appear |
| Keywords |
Electronic Materials, Characterization, Thin Films and Interfaces |