Preparation and tribological investigation of resin–matrix contact strip with variable current

The resin–matrix contact strip (RMCS) with high friction reducing function and good wear resistance under current has been studied to improve the performance of the traditional contact strips, such as high maintenance cost, high wear rate under current and severe damage to contact wire. The tribological behaviours of RMCS against copper were investigated under laboratory conditions with a wear tester which simulated the train motion. The results showed that the current played a major role in determining the wear behaviour and wear rate of RMCS increased with current density and sliding velocity. The wear rate of RMCS was 21·75 × 10⁻⁴ mm³ m⁻¹ under the conditions of a sliding velocity of 41·7 m s⁻¹ for 30 min with the current density of 285 A cm⁻². The dominant wear mechanisms and arc erosion processes of the worn surface were discussed based on the microscopic observation of the worn surface and wear debris, which indicated that arc erosion wear, oxidative wear and adhesive wear were the dominant mechanisms of RMCS against copper during the electrical sliding processes, while mild adhesive wear and low stress abrasive grains wear are the main mechanisms during the sliding process without current.