Influence of Contact Angle on the Friction and Wear Behavior of the Carbon Strip in Pantograph–Catenary Systems

This influence becomes particularly pronounced when the contact angle exceeds 4°. Under identical contact angles, the arc discharge energy, temperature, coefficient of friction, and wear mass of the carbon strip are directly proportional to the sliding speed and inversely proportional to the normal load. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to observe the worn surface morphologies of the carbon strip and contact wire under different contact angles, and the influence of contact angle on the wear mechanisms of both the carbon strip and contact wire was discussed.

The results show that, under constant normal load and sliding speed, increasing the contact angle intensifies arc erosion on both the carbon strip and the contact wire, enlarges the arc-ablation area, and increases the proportion of electrical wear. When the contact angle exceeds 4°, the surface wear condition of the carbon strip deteriorates significantly. Under a constant contact angle, increasing the sliding speed progressively worsens the surface wear condition of the carbon strip.

In actual operation and maintenance, by implementing regular inspection and grinding to control the contact angle between the carbon strip and the contact wire within 4°, arc erosion can be significantly suppressed, material wear can be delayed, and thus the operational safety, stability, and cost-effectiveness of the pantograph–catenary system can be enhanced.