Process for producing CuCr contact pieces for vacuum switches as well as an appropriate contact piece

Abstract

Purely powder-metallurgical processes or sinter-impregnation processes are often used to manufacture CuCr contact materials. Here the aim is to obtain the lowest possible residual porosity, which should be <1%. According to the invention, a powder moulding of the components is densified in two stages; the first stage is a sintering process with a densification of the sintered body to a closed porosity, and the second stage is a hot-isostatic pressing operation (HIP), in which the unencased workpieces are taken to a final density amounting to a space occupation of at least 99%. Thus, an economical method of manufacturing high grade material is obtained. It is possible to produce multi-layer contacts or self-adhesive bonds between the sintered body and a solid substrate, e.g. a copper contact bolt.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.