Effects of Arcing in Air on the Microstructure, Morphology and Photoelectric Work Function of Ag- Ni (60/40) Contact Materials
The present work aims to throw light on the effects of
arcing in air on the surface state of contact pastilles made of silvernickel
Ag-Ni (60/40). Also, the photoelectric emission from these
electrical contacts has been investigated in the spectral range of 196-
256 nm. In order to study the effects of arcing on the EWF, the
metallic samples were subjected to electrical arcs in air, at
atmospheric pressure and room temperature, after that, they have
been introduced into the vacuum chamber of an experimental UHV
set-up for EWF measurements. Both Fowler method of isothermal
curves and linearized Fowler plots were used for the measurement of
the EWF by the photoelectric effect.
It has been found that the EWF varies with the number of applied
arcs. Thus, after 500 arcs in air, the observed EWF increasing is
probably due to progressive inclusion of oxide on alloy surface.
Microscopic examination is necessary to get better understandings on
EWF of silver alloys, for both virgin and arced electrical contacts.
[1] A. Pandey, P. Verma, and O.P. Pandey, “Comparison of Properties of
Silver-Tin Oxide Electrical Contact Materials Through Different
Processing Routes, ” Indian Journal of Engineering and Materials
Sciences, Vol. 15, pp. 236–240, June 2008.
[2] P.C. Wingert and C.H. Leung, “The development of silver–based
cadmium–free contact materials,” IEEE Transactions on Components,
Hybrids, and Manufacturing Technology, Vol. 12, pp. 16–20, March
1989.
[3] R. Holm, Electric Contacts Handbook, ed R Holm, Springer, New York,
1967.
[4] K. H. Schröder, “Silver-Metal Oxides as Contact Materials,” IEEE
Transactions on Components, Hybrids and Manufacturing Technology,
Vol. 10, pp. 127–134, March 1987.
[5] Doduco GmbH, Data Book of Electrical Contacts, Doduco GmbH,
Pforzheim, Germany, New edition (2012).
[6] M. Akbi, and A. Lefort, “Work function measurements of contact
materials for industrial use,” J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys., Vol. 31, No. 11,
pp. 1301−1308, Jun. 1998.
[7] A. Lefort , M. Akbi and M. J. Parizet, “Experimental determination of
work function about silver alloys,” in Proc. SPIE, XVI International
Symposium on Discharges and Electrical Insulation in Vacuum, Vol.
2259, Moscow-St. Petersburg, Russia, pp. 486−490, May 1994.
[8] N. D. Lang, and W. Kohn, “Theory of metal surfaces: work function,”
Physical Review B, Vol. 3, No 4, pp. 1215–1223, Feb. 1971.
[9] S.C. Fain Jr., and J.M. McDavid, “Work function variation with alloy
composition: Ag–Au,” Physical Review B, Vol. 9, No 12, pp. 5099–
5107, June 1974.
[10] L. Koller, M. Bizjak, and B. Praček, “Cleaning of thin passivation layers
on Ag contact material by vacuum outgassing,” Vacuum, Vol. 60, pp.
175–178, 2001.
[11] H. B. Michaelson, “The work function of the elements and its
periodicity,” Vol. 48, pp. 4729–4733, Nov. 1977.
[12] D. E. Eastman, ‘‘Photoelectric work function of transition, rare-earth,
and noble metals,’’ Phys. Rev. B, vol. 2, N° 1, pp. 1–2, Jul. 1970.
[13] R. H. Fowler, “The analysis of photoelectric sensitivity curves for clean
metals at various temperatures,” Phys. Rev., Vol. 38, Issue 1, pp. 45–46,
Jul. 1931.
[14] M. Akbi, A. Bouchou, and M. Ferhat-Taleb, “Effects of surface
treatments on photoelectric work function of silver–nickel alloys”,
Vacuum, Vol. 101, pp. 257–266, Mar. 2014.
[15] M. Akbi, A. Bouchou and N. Zouache, “Effects of vacuum heat
treatment on the photoelectric work function and surface morphology of
multilayered silver–metal alloys”, Applied Surface Science , Vol. 303,
pp. 131–139, June 2014.
[16] M. Akbi, “Effect of heat surface treatment on photoelectric work
function of silver-metal alloys,” in Proc. European Conference on Heat
Treatment and 21st IFHTSE Congress, 12–15 May 2014 Munich,
Germany, pp. 489–496.
[17] M. Akbi, “A method for measuring the photoelectric work function of
contact materials versus temperature,” IEEE Transactions on
Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology TCPMT, Vol.
4, N°8, pp. 1293–1302, Aug. 2014.
[18] F. Wooten, and R.N. Stuart, “Fowler's hypothesis and the determination
of photoemission thresholds”, Phys. Rev., Vol. 186, N° 2, pp. 592–593,
Oct. 1969.
[19] C. N. Berglund, and W.E. Spicer, “Photoemission studies of copper and
silver: theory,” Physical Review, Vol. 136, N° 4A, pp. A1030–A1044,
Nov. 1964.
[20] A.J. Blodgett Jr., and W.E. Spicer, “Experimental determination of the
density of states in nickel,” Phys. Rev., Vol. 146, N°2, pp. 390–402, June
1966.
[21] A. Lefort, M. Akbi and M. J. Parizet, “Electron emission of silver alloys
used for breakers,” in Proc. 2nd Int. Conf. on Elect. Contacts, Arcs,
Apparatus and their Applications, Xi’an, China, pp. 363–367, May
1993.
[22] V. S. Fomenko, Handbook of Thermionic Properties, Plenum, New
York, 1966.
[23] L. A. Dubridge, “A Further experimental test of Fowler's theory of
photoelectric emission,” Phys. Rev., pp. 108–118, Jan. 1932.
[24] E.U. Condon, “Note on the external photoelectric effect of semiconductors,”
Phys. Rev., Vol. 54, pp. 1089–1091, Dec. 1938.
[25] L. Apker, E. Taft, J. Dickey, “Photoelectric emission and contact
potentials of semiconductors,” Phys. Rev., Vol. 74, pp. 1462–1474,
1948.
[26] S. Anders and B. Jüttner, “Influence of residual gases on cathode spot
behavior,” IEEE Trans. Plas. Sci., Vol.19, N°5, pp. 705–712, Oct. 1991.
[27] K. P. Nachtigall, and J. Mentel, “Measurement of arc spot formation
delay times at cold cathodes in air,” IEEE Trans. Plas. Sci., Vol. 19,
N°5, pp. 942–946, Oct. 1991.
[28] H. A. Bentounes, and J. Muniesa, “Electrode materials and recovery of
the post-arc dielectric strength,” in Proc. 13th Conf. on Elect. Contacts,
Lausanne, Switzerland, pp. 176–180, Sept. 1986.
[29] M. Lindermayer, “Effect of work function and ionization potential on
the reignition voltage of arcs between Ag/metal oxide contacts,” IEEE
Trans. Parts, Hybrids, Packag., vol. n°4, Mar. 1981, pp. 70-75.
[1] A. Pandey, P. Verma, and O.P. Pandey, “Comparison of Properties of
Silver-Tin Oxide Electrical Contact Materials Through Different
Processing Routes, ” Indian Journal of Engineering and Materials
Sciences, Vol. 15, pp. 236–240, June 2008.
[2] P.C. Wingert and C.H. Leung, “The development of silver–based
cadmium–free contact materials,” IEEE Transactions on Components,
Hybrids, and Manufacturing Technology, Vol. 12, pp. 16–20, March
1989.
[3] R. Holm, Electric Contacts Handbook, ed R Holm, Springer, New York,
1967.
[4] K. H. Schröder, “Silver-Metal Oxides as Contact Materials,” IEEE
Transactions on Components, Hybrids and Manufacturing Technology,
Vol. 10, pp. 127–134, March 1987.
[5] Doduco GmbH, Data Book of Electrical Contacts, Doduco GmbH,
Pforzheim, Germany, New edition (2012).
[6] M. Akbi, and A. Lefort, “Work function measurements of contact
materials for industrial use,” J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys., Vol. 31, No. 11,
pp. 1301−1308, Jun. 1998.
[7] A. Lefort , M. Akbi and M. J. Parizet, “Experimental determination of
work function about silver alloys,” in Proc. SPIE, XVI International
Symposium on Discharges and Electrical Insulation in Vacuum, Vol.
2259, Moscow-St. Petersburg, Russia, pp. 486−490, May 1994.
[8] N. D. Lang, and W. Kohn, “Theory of metal surfaces: work function,”
Physical Review B, Vol. 3, No 4, pp. 1215–1223, Feb. 1971.
[9] S.C. Fain Jr., and J.M. McDavid, “Work function variation with alloy
composition: Ag–Au,” Physical Review B, Vol. 9, No 12, pp. 5099–
5107, June 1974.
[10] L. Koller, M. Bizjak, and B. Praček, “Cleaning of thin passivation layers
on Ag contact material by vacuum outgassing,” Vacuum, Vol. 60, pp.
175–178, 2001.
[11] H. B. Michaelson, “The work function of the elements and its
periodicity,” Vol. 48, pp. 4729–4733, Nov. 1977.
[12] D. E. Eastman, ‘‘Photoelectric work function of transition, rare-earth,
and noble metals,’’ Phys. Rev. B, vol. 2, N° 1, pp. 1–2, Jul. 1970.
[13] R. H. Fowler, “The analysis of photoelectric sensitivity curves for clean
metals at various temperatures,” Phys. Rev., Vol. 38, Issue 1, pp. 45–46,
Jul. 1931.
[14] M. Akbi, A. Bouchou, and M. Ferhat-Taleb, “Effects of surface
treatments on photoelectric work function of silver–nickel alloys”,
Vacuum, Vol. 101, pp. 257–266, Mar. 2014.
[15] M. Akbi, A. Bouchou and N. Zouache, “Effects of vacuum heat
treatment on the photoelectric work function and surface morphology of
multilayered silver–metal alloys”, Applied Surface Science , Vol. 303,
pp. 131–139, June 2014.
[16] M. Akbi, “Effect of heat surface treatment on photoelectric work
function of silver-metal alloys,” in Proc. European Conference on Heat
Treatment and 21st IFHTSE Congress, 12–15 May 2014 Munich,
Germany, pp. 489–496.
[17] M. Akbi, “A method for measuring the photoelectric work function of
contact materials versus temperature,” IEEE Transactions on
Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology TCPMT, Vol.
4, N°8, pp. 1293–1302, Aug. 2014.
[18] F. Wooten, and R.N. Stuart, “Fowler's hypothesis and the determination
of photoemission thresholds”, Phys. Rev., Vol. 186, N° 2, pp. 592–593,
Oct. 1969.
[19] C. N. Berglund, and W.E. Spicer, “Photoemission studies of copper and
silver: theory,” Physical Review, Vol. 136, N° 4A, pp. A1030–A1044,
Nov. 1964.
[20] A.J. Blodgett Jr., and W.E. Spicer, “Experimental determination of the
density of states in nickel,” Phys. Rev., Vol. 146, N°2, pp. 390–402, June
1966.
[21] A. Lefort, M. Akbi and M. J. Parizet, “Electron emission of silver alloys
used for breakers,” in Proc. 2nd Int. Conf. on Elect. Contacts, Arcs,
Apparatus and their Applications, Xi’an, China, pp. 363–367, May
1993.
[22] V. S. Fomenko, Handbook of Thermionic Properties, Plenum, New
York, 1966.
[23] L. A. Dubridge, “A Further experimental test of Fowler's theory of
photoelectric emission,” Phys. Rev., pp. 108–118, Jan. 1932.
[24] E.U. Condon, “Note on the external photoelectric effect of semiconductors,”
Phys. Rev., Vol. 54, pp. 1089–1091, Dec. 1938.
[25] L. Apker, E. Taft, J. Dickey, “Photoelectric emission and contact
potentials of semiconductors,” Phys. Rev., Vol. 74, pp. 1462–1474,
1948.
[26] S. Anders and B. Jüttner, “Influence of residual gases on cathode spot
behavior,” IEEE Trans. Plas. Sci., Vol.19, N°5, pp. 705–712, Oct. 1991.
[27] K. P. Nachtigall, and J. Mentel, “Measurement of arc spot formation
delay times at cold cathodes in air,” IEEE Trans. Plas. Sci., Vol. 19,
N°5, pp. 942–946, Oct. 1991.
[28] H. A. Bentounes, and J. Muniesa, “Electrode materials and recovery of
the post-arc dielectric strength,” in Proc. 13th Conf. on Elect. Contacts,
Lausanne, Switzerland, pp. 176–180, Sept. 1986.
[29] M. Lindermayer, “Effect of work function and ionization potential on
the reignition voltage of arcs between Ag/metal oxide contacts,” IEEE
Trans. Parts, Hybrids, Packag., vol. n°4, Mar. 1981, pp. 70-75.
@article{"International Journal of Chemical, Materials and Biomolecular Sciences:69059", author = "Mohamed Akbi", title = "Effects of Arcing in Air on the Microstructure, Morphology and Photoelectric Work Function of Ag- Ni (60/40) Contact Materials", abstract = "The present work aims to throw light on the effects of
arcing in air on the surface state of contact pastilles made of silvernickel
Ag-Ni (60/40). Also, the photoelectric emission from these
electrical contacts has been investigated in the spectral range of 196-
256 nm. In order to study the effects of arcing on the EWF, the
metallic samples were subjected to electrical arcs in air, at
atmospheric pressure and room temperature, after that, they have
been introduced into the vacuum chamber of an experimental UHV
set-up for EWF measurements. Both Fowler method of isothermal
curves and linearized Fowler plots were used for the measurement of
the EWF by the photoelectric effect.
It has been found that the EWF varies with the number of applied
arcs. Thus, after 500 arcs in air, the observed EWF increasing is
probably due to progressive inclusion of oxide on alloy surface.
Microscopic examination is necessary to get better understandings on
EWF of silver alloys, for both virgin and arced electrical contacts.
", keywords = "Ag-Ni contact materials, arcing effects, electron
work function, Fowler methods, photoemission.", volume = "9", number = "2", pages = "300-8", }
