Application of Precipitation-Hardened Copper Alloy to Contact Wire


Hiroki NAGASAWA
Manager, Power Supply Technology Development Div., Technological Development Dept.

Sumihisa AOKI
Chief Engineer, Materials Technology Development Div., Technological Development Dept.

Shinichi KATAYAMA
Engineer, Materials Technology Development Div., Technological Development Dept.



Abstract: For the speedup of train operation in electric railways, it is necessary to use a high strength contact wire with high tension in order to maintain contact with the pantograph at high speeds. For this purpose, Cu-Cr-Zr alloy is the most promising candidate material for contact wires because of its high strength and high conductivity. Basic tests proved that 4mm diameter wire of the material has a tensile strength of 550MPa, conductivity of 78%IACS and good wear characteristics. After the tests, 110mm2 size contact wire was manufactured, and placed for field test on commercial line. The results show that the new type contact wire has good wear characteristics and it can be used practically.