Carbon Brushes Reference

Grades

The grade of the brush is usually found stamped on the face of the carbon. The grade indicates the material composition of the brush. It represents one of the more technical challenges in carbon brush applications.

Brush grades are usually classified according to the manufacturing processes and the types of materials used. The different grades in use today are derived through a variation of raw materials, molding pressures, temperature and duration of the baking process and after- treatments. These elements produce varied resistivity, hardness, and strength that in turn affect contact drop, friction and commutator filming. All grades fall within the four major categories of carbon graphite, electrographitic, graphite and metal graphite. The major characteristics of each category and a summary are listed below.

There are only a few major carbon block makers in the world. Each of these manufacturers can make as many as 100 different grades. Each grade is designed to perform under certain operating conditions. Careful consideration is given to the actual running loads, the duty cycle, the voltage, the speed and the environment. Repco, Inc. supplies product from these major carbon manufacturers.

In addition, there are also carbon brush fabricators. A fabricator purchases carbon block, cuts it to size, adds hardware and stamps its own grade designation on the face of the brush. Over the years, this practice has greatly added to the number of grades in the marketplace today. Our computer cross-reference system allows us to identify OEM and aftermarket brushes. Therefore, Repco, Inc. can supply carbon brushes for any motor including these major motor manufacturers:

Baldor
Century
Electric Machinery
General Electric
Gettys
Imperial
Indiana General
Leeson
Lincoln
Louis Allis
Marathon
Northwestern
Pacific-Scientific
Reliance
U.S. Emerson
Westinghouse

CARBON-GRAPHITE BRUSHES made their entrance early in the brush industry. Their properties of high hardness, material strength and pronounced cleaning action usually give long brush life under severe operating conditions, although they may not commutate as well as those with softer grades. These grades are limited to lower current densities and are used on slower machines, particularly those with flush mica commutators. The high friction generated with this type of material also makes it unattractive for some modern day applications.

ELECTROGRAPHITIC BRUSHES are baked at temperatures in excess of 2400 C. This process physically gives the material more of a graphitic structure. They generally have good commutating characteristics, but may not always be used because of high currents, or severe mechanical or atmospheric conditions. This material is fairly porous which permits treatment with organic resins. The treatments increase strength and lubricating ability which in turn helps increase brush life. These brushes are generally free from abrasive ash.

METAL GRAPHITE BRUSHES are generally made from natural graphite and finely divided metal powders. Copper is the most common metallic constituent, but tin, silver and lead are also used. This material is ideal for a variety of applications because of its low resistivity. Metal graphites are used on commutators of plating generators and wound rotor induction motors where low voltage and high brush current densities are encountered. They are also used for grounding brushes because of their low contact drop. These brushes exhibit a definite polishing action.

GRAPHITE BRUSHES are composed of natural or artificial graphite bonded with resin or pitch to form a soft brush material. Natural graphite usually contains ash, which gives the brush an abrasive, cleaning action. The fast filming properties of these brushes is beneficial in protecting the commutator or slip ring during operation in contaminated atmospheres. Their low porosity is also valuable in reducing commutator threading. They are not capable, however, of sustained operation at higher currents, like electrographic materials.

CARBON-GRAPHITE

Used on older machines
High strength and hardness
Low resistance & poor commutation
For machines that require some polishing action
Generally, slower speed machines

GRAPHITE

Good film characteristics
Smooth ride
Reduces threading
Thermally limited
Generally used on slip rings & FHP motors

METAL GRAPHITE

Good for current densities
Low contact drop
Polishing action
Metal content application
50% - material handling, battery charging & welding generators
60% - plating generators & rings
75% & up - rings & grounding brushes

ELECTROGRAPHITIC

Good commutating ability
Adequate strength with low abrasiveness
Good friction characteristics
Versatile
Resistance, strength, hardness and density can be controlled through raw material combinations
Very widely used today in all types of motors & generators for:
- steel and paper mills, excavation,
- cement, transportation & aerospace