Tribology Behaviors of Carbon Strip/Copper Contact Wire of Pantograph/Centenary System Under Electric Current

Abstract

The service life of pantograph/catenary system is determined by the wear performance of contact couple materials. The contact properties of pantograph/catenary system directly affect the stable operation and steady current-receiving of the electrical locomotives. A series of tests were carried out to study the tribology behavior of carbon strips and copper contact line with a high-speed friction and wear tester. The friction and wear behavior of carbon strips/copper contact line are significant affected by normal load, electric currents and sliding speed. By observing the different worn microscope of carbon strips, it can be found that the abrasive wear, adhesive wear and arc ablation are mainly wear mechanisms, accompanied by material transferring.