high power relays prevent oxidation or corrosion of contact materials through a variety of measures such as material selection, surface treatment technology, sealing design, environmental adaptability design, regular maintenance, use of protective agents, and control of the working environment to ensure long-term stable performance and reliability.
Material selection: High-quality silver alloy has become the preferred material for relay contact systems because it combines multiple superior properties. Silver alloy not only has extremely low resistivity and excellent conductivity, which can maintain stable performance under high current, but also has a high melting point and good resistance to welding, which can maintain the integrity and stability of the contact surface during frequent opening and closing operations. In addition, the natural corrosion resistance of silver alloy is also one of the key factors for its widespread application, which can resist oxidation and corrosion in the environment to a certain extent.
Surface treatment technology: In order to further enhance the oxidation and corrosion resistance of silver alloy contact materials, relay manufacturers often use advanced surface treatment technology. The gold or silver plating layer is not only beautiful, but also effectively isolates air and moisture, slowing down the oxidation rate of the contact material. Other anti-corrosion coatings, such as nickel, chromium or nickel-chromium alloys, can also provide additional protective barriers to prevent erosion by harmful substances. These coatings are evenly covered on the surface of the contact material by electrochemical deposition or physical vapor deposition to form a strong and dense protective film.
Sealing design: Sealing design is the key to high power relays to prevent internal contact materials from being affected by the external environment. By adopting high-performance sealing materials and precise sealing structures, the interior of the relay is completely enclosed, forming a relatively independent and stable working environment. This design effectively prevents harmful substances such as moisture, dust, acid and alkali from entering the interior of the relay, thereby greatly reducing the risk of oxidation and corrosion of the contact material. At the same time, the sealing design can also improve the waterproof and dustproof level of the relay, so that it can maintain stable performance in various harsh environments.
Environmental adaptability design: Considering the complex and changeable working environment that the relay may face, the manufacturer will select the appropriate protection level and sealing level according to actual needs. In a humid or highly corrosive environment, the relay needs to have a higher protection level and sealing level to resist the erosion of these harsh conditions on the internal contact materials. In addition, some specially designed relays can also work under extreme temperature conditions, such as high or low temperature environments, further broadening the application range of the relay.
Regular maintenance: Despite the various protective measures, regular inspection and maintenance of the relay is still an important part of ensuring its long-term stable operation. During maintenance, technicians will carefully clean the contact surface to remove any dirt and oxides that may have accumulated; at the same time, check whether the sealing performance is good, and promptly detect and deal with any potential leakage problems. These maintenance measures help keep the contact material in good condition and prevent further oxidation and corrosion.
Use protective agents: In certain cases, an appropriate amount of protective agent can also be applied to the contact surface of the relay to enhance its anti-oxidation and anti-corrosion capabilities. These protective agents usually include chemical substances such as anti-oxidation oils and anti-corrosion agents, which can form a thin protective film on the surface of the contact material, effectively isolating harmful substances such as oxygen and moisture. When using protective agents, it is necessary to pay attention to choosing the appropriate type and amount of application to ensure that it can provide sufficient protection without negatively affecting the conductive properties of the contact material.
Control the working environment: Installing the relay in a dry, ventilated, and non-corrosive gas environment as much as possible can significantly reduce the degree to which it is affected by the external environment. For application scenarios where humid or corrosive environments cannot be avoided, additional moisture-proof and anti-corrosion measures such as installing dehumidifiers and using anti-corrosion coatings can be taken. These measures help create a more stable and suitable working environment, thereby extending the service life of the relay and improving its reliability.