Model on sputter erosion of electrical contact material

The sputter erosion of arcing contacts is a very complex phenomenon, which is determined by the interaction between electromagnetic force, beat conduction and discreteness and randomness of the metallics. A new model for evaluating the sputter erosion of electrodes is described for the first time, based on the electromagnetic forces acting on the molten pool, the flowing velocity, the kinetic energy and the surface tension of the molten pool. Simulation results are presented, which theoretically show how the current and density, specific heat and other material parameters affect the erosion rate.