Abstract:
In this work, Ag-SnO2-Y2O3 composite powders were uniformly mixed via high-energy ball milling and subsequently consolidated using vacuum hot-press sintering to fabricate advanced electrical contact materials. The study systematically explored how milling parameters—including milling medium, rotation speed, and duration—as well as sintering temperatures ranging from 750?℃ to 950?℃, influence the resulting microstructure and physical properties. The use of anhydrous ethanol as the milling medium effectively suppressed powder agglomeration and promoted homogeneous dispersion. Optimal refinement and dispersion of powder particles were achieved at a rotation speed of 200 r/min for 12 h. The sintering temperature was found to play a critical role in tailoring the material characteristics. At 850 ℃, the microstructure was the most uniform, with reinforcing phases forming a stable, interconnected network structure within the silver matrix, thereby enhancing interfacial bonding. Although materials sintered at 900?℃ exhibited improved relative density, hardness, and electrical conductivity, excessive clustering of reinforcing phases began to occur, which may compromise long-term performance stability.