This study investigates the tribological phenomena associated with the deterioration of electrical contacts under friction using acoustic emission (AE) sensing. This issue is becoming increasingly relevant as machinery becomes more electrified. Friction and wear tests were conducted on energized electrical contact materials with a water film between them. AE signals, vibration acceleration, and displacement between test pieces were measured during the tests. The results revealed that combining the analysis of AE signal intensity with the characteristics of the frequency spectrum could clarify the complex tribological phenomena occurring under electric current.
Hirai et al. (Wed,) studied this question.