ABSTRACT
This study examines the properties of both electroplated gold flash palladium-nickel (GFPdNI) and WE#1 capped palladium-silver (WE#1/PdAg). The electrical resistivities were measured in order to understand contact resistance differences. Electrical stability during and after environmental and mechanical tests was evaluated. Environmental tests included thermal aging at elevated temperature and Battelle flowing mixed gas exposure. Mechanical tests included formability, sliding wear and fretting. Key attributes which were measured and reported included, electrical resistivity, hardness, contact resistance, porosity level, coefficient of friction during sliding wear, and fretting cycles to failure. It was found that GFPdNi demonstrated lower electrical resistivity, higher hardness, lower initial contact resistance, lower coefficient of friction and greater durability during sliding wear. WE#1PdAg demonstrated acceptably low initial coefficient of friction, greater electrical stability during thermal aging and Battelle FMG exposure, better formability, and greater resistance to fretting wear.
KEYWORDS: electroplates, clad inlay, gold, gold alloys, palladium-silver, palladium-nickel, oxidation, corrosion, wear, fretting.
If you'd like to obtain the full-text version of this, or any other available paper, please fill out our contact form.
