Electrical contact material and method for making same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical contact material comprising a matrix made of conductive metal and an unstable fraction incorporated into this matrix. The unstable fraction has the property of decomposing between the operating temperature of the electrical contact and the melting point of the metal with the release of a gas capable of destabilizing an electric arc.

1 . An electrical contact material comprising a matrix made of conductive metal and an unstable fraction incorporated into this matrix, said unstable fraction having the property of decomposing between the operating temperature of the electrical contact and the melting point of said metal, with the release of a gas capable of destabilizing an electric arc, characterized in that said material includes, in addition, a refractory fraction.  
     
     
         2 . The material according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said metal is silver or copper.  
     
     
         3 . The material according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said unstable fraction includes at least one hydride.  
     
     
         4 . The material according to  claim 3 , characterized in that said hydride is based on at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Mg, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Ni, La, and Y.  
     
     
         5 . The material according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said unstable fraction constitutes between 5 and 50% of its volume.  
     
     
         6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . The material according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said refractory fraction comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of CdO, SnO 2 , ZnO, Fe 2 O 3 , Ni, Fe, W, Mo, C, WC and MgO.  
     
     
         8 . The material according to one  claim 1 , characterized in that the refractory fraction and the unstable fraction constitute between 5 and 50% of its volume, the unstable fraction constituting at least 2% of said volume.  
     
     
         9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . (canceled)  
     
     
         12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . (canceled)  
     
     
         14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . (canceled)  
     
     
         18 . (canceled)  
     
     
         19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . An electrical contact material comprising a matrix made of silver and an unstable fraction incorporated into this matrix, characterized in that the unstable fraction including at least one hydride based on at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of Ti, Hf, V, Nb, Mg, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Ni, La and Y.  
     
     
         22 . The material according to  claim 21 , characterized in that said unstable fraction constitutes between 5 and 50% of its volume.  
     
     
         23 . Use of an electrical contact material in order to destabilize an electric arc occurring between two contact elements, one of them at least being made of said material, said material comprising a matrix made of conductive metal and an unstable fraction incorporated into this matrix, characterized in that the unstable fraction has the property of decomposing between the operating temperature of the electrical contact and the melting point of said metal, with the release of a gas.  
     
     
         24 . Use according to  claim 23 , characterized in that said metal is silver or copper.  
     
     
         25 . Use according to  claim 23 , characterized in that said unstable fraction includes at least one hydride.  
     
     
         26 . Use according to  claim 25 , characterized in that said hydride is based on at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Mg, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Fe, Co, Ni, La and Y.  
     
     
         27 . Use according to  claim 23 , characterized in that said unstable fraction constitutes between 5 and 50% of its volume.  
     
     
         28 . Use according to  claim 23 , characterized in that it includes, in addition, a refractory fraction.  
     
     
         29 . Use according to  claim 28 , characterized in that said refractory fraction comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of CdO, SnO 2 , ZnO, Fe 2 O 3 , Ni, Fe, W, Mo, C, WC and MgO.  
     
     
         30 . Use according to  claim 28 , characterized in that the refractory fraction and the unstable fraction constitute between 5 and 50% of its volume, the unstable fraction constituting at least 2% of said volume.