Sliding contacts are used to transmit the electricity (commutator brushes and commutator angles, e.g. in DC motors). Using a solution such as this, signals can also be transmitted with greater stability and less noise interference.
Such a commutation system can be installed in an extremely small space, such as in motors of 10 mm in diameter. Speeds can easily reach 15,000 rpm.
The material is decisive for the functionality and service life of sliding contacts like these. Brushes, for instance, need very good elastic properties, low contact resistance, and often also have to be reliable in aggressive environments and work without failure.
By combining properties of different materials (graphite, precious metal, non-precious metal), we provide brush contacts with precisely the properties that our customers require. In these composites, Heraeus combines the best properties of non-precious (e.g. elastic properties) and precious metals (e.g. conductivity, abrasion resistance, resistance to corrosion) for optimal functionality in your application.
