NOUFERROUS METALLURGICAL EQUIPMENT

This paper discusses the production of Ag-4Cu-0.5Ni electrical contact alloy using high vacuum induction furnace, and characterizes and analyzes its microstructure, hardness and conductivity. Research shows that the addition of Sc, Zn and B can refine the grains of the alloy; XRD calculations show that the lattice constant of the alloy decreases with the addition of Sc, Zn and B; the addition of Sc, Zn and B elements enhances the hardness of Ag-4Cu-0.5Ni due to the effect of fine grain strengthening and second phase strengthening. On the other hand, the addition of Sc, Zn and B produces more grain boundaries and defects, which enhances the scattering during electron transport and leads to a decrease in the conductivity of Ag-4Cu-0.5Ni.