Change in the electrical resistance of the metallic composite material-steel contact under friction and electric current

The I–V characteristics of the sliding contact of metallic composites of grade 45 steel without a lubricant are presented. Steel-based composites are shown to increase the actual electric-contact area due to the appearance of electric discharges, which provide the main passage of an electric current with a density up to 300 A/cm². Copper-based composites cannot initiate electric-discharge conduction because of the fracture of the contact zone material at a current density higher than 50 A/cm². The electrical resistivity of the contact layer of metallic composites is calculated. It is found that, during friction with a high current density, the electrical resistivity of the contact layer approaches the electrical resistivity of graphite. It is experimentally shown that the actual electric-contact area can be increased by the introduction of a Pb-Sn melt into the friction zone and reaching a current density higher than 300 A/cm² in the contact.