The thermal loading of high current, high energy opening and closing switches require electrode materials which have superior high temperature strength and thermal conductivi-ty. A recently developed class of copper alloys, called in-situ materials', such as Cu-Nb, Cu-Ta, and Cu-W, provide these char-acteristics. In addition, our recent tests have verified that the addition of LaB6 to Cu and CuW composite materials improved their performance. Results are given for several of these material combinations in both stationary and moving arc closing switches. Performance is evaluated using figures of merit derived from thermal considerations.
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