Arc Erosion Behaviors and Mechanisms of Cu‐Ti ₃ AlC ₂ Electrical Contact Materials in Different Mixed Atmospheres

Utilizing a self‐built atmosphere‐controlled arc erosion test platform, this study systematically investigated the arc erosion behavior and underlying mechanisms of Cu‐30 vol.% Ti 3 AlC 2 electrical contact materials under 12 kV in three mixed atmospheres (N 2 /CO 2 , SF 6 /CO 2 , SF 6 /N 2 ). Real‐time arc parameter recording and comprehensive microstructural/compositional characterizations (SEM, XRD, Raman, XPS) were conducted to elucidate the atmosphere‐dependent erosion mechanisms. The material exhibited the longest arc duration (35.37 ms) and highest arc energy (15.365 kJ) in N 2 /CO 2 , both parameters decreased in SF 6 /CO 2 and reached minima (31.92 ms, 12.794 kJ) in SF 6 /N 2 , corresponding to the severest erosion in N 2 /CO 2 , and the mildest in SF 6 /N 2 . Erosion products were highly atmosphere‐dependent: CuO/Al 2 O 3 /TiO 2 (N 2 /CO 2 ), CuO/AlF 3 (SF 6 /CO 2 ), and CuF 2 /CuS/AlF 3 (SF 6 /N 2 ), which reflects the distinct reaction pathways of arc erosion in different gaseous environments. This work clarifies the atmosphere‐dependent arc erosion regulation mechanism of Cu‐MAX phase electrical contact materials, fills the research gap in their high‐voltage mixed atmosphere applications, and provides experimental data and theoretical guidance for the atmosphere‐adaptive design and performance optimization of high‐performance electrical contact materials for high‐voltage electrical equipment.