EP1550185A1 - Electric contact - Google Patents

Electric contact

Info

Publication number
EP1550185A1
EP1550185A1 EP03770895A EP03770895A EP1550185A1 EP 1550185 A1 EP1550185 A1 EP 1550185A1 EP 03770895 A EP03770895 A EP 03770895A EP 03770895 A EP03770895 A EP 03770895A EP 1550185 A1 EP1550185 A1 EP 1550185A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
layer
contact
electrical contact
tin
substrate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03770895A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Rehbein
Volker Haas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Robert Bosch GmbH
Original Assignee
Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Robert Bosch GmbH filed Critical Robert Bosch GmbH
Publication of EP1550185A1 publication Critical patent/EP1550185A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/03—Contact members characterised by the material, e.g. plating, or coating materials
    • H01R13/035—Plated dielectric material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B15/00—Layered products comprising a layer of metal
    • B32B15/01—Layered products comprising a layer of metal all layers being exclusively metallic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B15/00—Layered products comprising a layer of metal
    • B32B15/01—Layered products comprising a layer of metal all layers being exclusively metallic
    • B32B15/018—Layered products comprising a layer of metal all layers being exclusively metallic one layer being formed of a noble metal or a noble metal alloy
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C5/00—Alloys based on noble metals
    • C22C5/06—Alloys based on silver
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C9/00—Alloys based on copper
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C9/00—Alloys based on copper
    • C22C9/02—Alloys based on copper with tin as the next major constituent
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C9/00—Alloys based on copper
    • C22C9/06—Alloys based on copper with nickel or cobalt as the next major constituent
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/12—All metal or with adjacent metals
    • Y10T428/12486—Laterally noncoextensive components [e.g., embedded, etc.]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/12—All metal or with adjacent metals
    • Y10T428/12493—Composite; i.e., plural, adjacent, spatially distinct metal components [e.g., layers, joint, etc.]
    • Y10T428/12771—Transition metal-base component
    • Y10T428/12861—Group VIII or IB metal-base component
    • Y10T428/12896—Ag-base component
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/26—Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component, the element or component having a specified physical dimension

Definitions

  • the invention is based on an electrical contact, in particular an electrical contact of a connector, according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1.
  • Such an electrical contact is known from US Pat. No. 5,892,424 and represents an encapsulated contact point of an electrical connection.
  • the known electrical contact consists of a substrate on which a contact layer is applied, which serves to increase the wear resistance of the electrical contact.
  • This contact layer has a matrix formed from a first element which is doped with a second element.
  • the matrix can be formed from an element selected from the group consisting of Mo, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta and W includes.
  • the additional element can be formed from an element selected from a group comprising Zn, Cd, Hg, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb and Bi.
  • the additional element stabilizes the contact resistance of the electrical contact see during an electrical switching process. Furthermore, the additional element leads to an improvement in the wear resistance and the oxidation resistance of the electrical contact.
  • the proportion of additional elements in the contact layer can be between 0.5 atom% and 50 atom%.
  • the contact layer is applied by a sputtering process, an ion-assisted vapor deposition process, an ion plating process or a plasma CVD process.
  • a sputtering process an ion-assisted vapor deposition process
  • an ion plating process or a plasma CVD process.
  • these processes are complex and not suitable for the production of large quantities.
  • the metals from which the contact layer of the known electrical contact is made are expensive and therefore likewise not suitable for contacts which are required in large quantities. This applies in particular to electrical contacts in motor vehicles, which are required in quantities of 1000 to 3000 units per motor vehicle.
  • electrical contacts in the automotive sector often have a contact layer made of tin.
  • This layer can be hot-dip tinned or electroplated
  • tin is characterized by its ductility and its good electrical conductivity.
  • an intermediate layer consisting of intermetallic compounds such as CuSn3, Cu5Sn6 is formed at the interface to the substrate, which usually consists of a copper-based alloy, such as CuSn4-bronze, CuNiSi or the like, by diffusion.
  • the intermediate layer is harder than the contact layer and can grow due to the temperature.
  • tin alloys or layers have the disadvantage that they tend to rub through due to their low hardness and the resulting low wear resistance with frequent plugging operations or due to vehicle or engine-related vibrations, which leads to increased oxidation, so-called friction corrosion , leads.
  • the abrasion and / or the fretting corrosion can in turn lead to a failure of an electrical component of a motor vehicle assigned to the relevant contact, for example a sensor, a control device or the like.
  • thermotin a tin-based contact layer, also known as thermotin, of an electrical contact is known from practice, which consists of 100% intermetallic phases and is produced by hot aging. is posed. Abrasion tests have only shown limited usability for such contact layers.
  • AuCo alloys with sub-nickel plating, silver layers with copper sub-plating or sub-nickel plating, or even gold layers have often been used as the contact layer in electrical contacts.
  • the electrical contact according to the invention with a metallic substrate, on which a contact layer in the form of a gradient layer is applied, which is formed from at least two elements, one of which is silver and forms a matrix for the second element or with it is alloyed or of which one is nickel and the other phosphorus or of which one is indium and the other tin has the advantage that it is because of the for the components used in the contact layer, their availability and their relatively low procurement costs are a contact layer which is also suitable for electrical contacts required in large quantities.
  • a gradient layer in the sense of the invention is a contact layer in which the proportion of the two elements changes in the direction of the normal to the substrate surface.
  • the proportion of tin in a silver matrix or silver / tin alloy can decrease in the direction facing away from the substrate.
  • the change in the element proportions of the contact layer can be linear. In this case it is a linear concentration gradient. Alternatively, it can also be a concentration gradient graded according to a staircase function.
  • the proportion of one element in the contact layer in the gradient direction can pass through a range between 0% and 100%.
  • the substrate is, for example, a substrate which is usually used for plug connections in the automotive sector, for example an alloy based on copper, such as CuSn4 bronze, CuNiSi or the like.
  • a substrate made of a nickel-based alloy could also be used.
  • the second element or additional element can be tin, gold or indium.
  • the gradient layer preferably has a thickness of about 1 ⁇ m to 3 ⁇ m, but it can also be made with a greater thickness.
  • the gradient layer can have a noble metal cover layer at least in regions.
  • the noble metal cover layer preferably has a thickness between approximately 0.1 ⁇ m and 0.3 ⁇ m and thus represents a so-called “flash” layer.
  • Au, Ru, Pt and. are particularly suitable as noble metals for the “flash” layer / or Pd.
  • the contact layer is preferably produced by a galvanic process or else by a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) process.
  • an electrical contact 1 which represents a contact of a connector that is used in an automobile.
  • the electrical contact 1 comprises a substrate 2, which is made of a copper-based alloy such as CuSn4, CuNi2Si or the like.
  • the substrate 2 has a thickness between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm.
  • a contact layer 3 which is applied by a galvanic process, is arranged on the substrate 2 of the electrical contact 1.
  • the contact layer 3 represents a silver / tin material system, the silver and the tin being alloyed with one another.
  • the proportion of tin in the contact layer 3 decreases in a substantially linear manner in the direction facing away from the substrate 2, for example from approximately 100% to approximately 20%.
  • the contact layer 3 thus forms a gradient layer.
  • the thickness of the contact layer 3 is in a range between approximately 1 ⁇ m and 3 ⁇ m.
  • the gradient points in the opposite direction, so that the proportion of tin in the contact layer increases in the direction of the substrate and consequently the highest silver concentration is present on the surface of the contact layer or gradient layer.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Contacts (AREA)
  • Electroplating Methods And Accessories (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric contact, especially an electric contact of a plug-in connector, comprising a metal substrate (2) whereon a contact layer (3) is applied in the form of a gradient layer. The gradient layer (3) is made of at least two elements. One of the elements is silver and forms a matrix for the second element, or is alloyed therewith or one of said elements is nickel and the other is phosphorous or one is indium and the other is tin.

Description

Elektrischer KontaktElectric contact
Stand der TechnikState of the art
Die Erfindung geht von einem elektrischen Kontakt, insbesondere einem elektrischen Kontakt eines Steckverbinders, gemäß der im Oberbegriff des Patentanspruches 1 näher defi- nierten Art aus.The invention is based on an electrical contact, in particular an electrical contact of a connector, according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1.
Ein derartiger elektrischer Kontakt ist aus der US 5,892,424 bekannt und stellt eine gekapselte Kontaktstelle einer elektrischen Verbindung dar. Der bekannte elektrische Kontakt besteht aus einem Substrat, auf dem eine Kontakt- Schicht aufgebracht ist, die zur Verstärkung der Verschleißbeständigkeit des elektrischen Kontaktes dient. Diese Kontaktschicht weist eine aus einem ersten Element gebildete Matrix auf, die mit einem zweiten Element dotiert ist. Die Matrix kann aus einem Element gebildet sein, das aus der Gruppe ausgewählt ist, die Mo, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta und W umfaßt. Das Zusatzelement kann aus einem Element gebildet sein, das aus einer Gruppe ausgewählt ist, die Zn, Cd, Hg, AI, Ga, In, Tl , Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb und Bi umfaßt. Das Zusatzelement stabilisiert den Kontaktwiderstand des elektri- sehen Kontakts während eines elektrischen Schaltvorgangs. Ferner führt das Zusatzelement zu einer Verbesserung der Verschleißbeständigkeit und der Oxidationsbestandigkeit des elektrischen Kontaktes. Der Anteil an Zusatzelementen in der Kontaktschicht kann zwischen 0,5 Atom-% und 50 Atom-% liegen.Such an electrical contact is known from US Pat. No. 5,892,424 and represents an encapsulated contact point of an electrical connection. The known electrical contact consists of a substrate on which a contact layer is applied, which serves to increase the wear resistance of the electrical contact. This contact layer has a matrix formed from a first element which is doped with a second element. The matrix can be formed from an element selected from the group consisting of Mo, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta and W includes. The additional element can be formed from an element selected from a group comprising Zn, Cd, Hg, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb and Bi. The additional element stabilizes the contact resistance of the electrical contact see during an electrical switching process. Furthermore, the additional element leads to an improvement in the wear resistance and the oxidation resistance of the electrical contact. The proportion of additional elements in the contact layer can be between 0.5 atom% and 50 atom%.
Die Kontaktschicht ist bei dem bekannten elektrischen Kontakt nach einem Sputterverfahren, einem ionenunterstützten Dampfphasenabscheidungsverfahren, einem Ionen-Plating- Verfahren oder einem Plasma-CVD-Verfahren aufgebracht. Diese Verfahren sind jedoch aufgrund eines erforderlichen Ul- trahochvakuums aufwendig und zur Herstellung großer Stückzahlen nicht geeignet.In the known electrical contact, the contact layer is applied by a sputtering process, an ion-assisted vapor deposition process, an ion plating process or a plasma CVD process. However, due to the need for an ultra-high vacuum, these processes are complex and not suitable for the production of large quantities.
Ferner sind die Metalle, aus denen die KontaktSchicht des bekannten elektrischen Kontakts hergestellt ist, teuer und daher ebenfalls nicht für Kontakte geeignet, die in großen Stückzahlen benötigt werden. Dies gilt insbesondere für elektrische Kontakte bei Kraftfahrzeugen, die in Stückzah- len von 1000 bis 3000 Stück pro Kraftfahrzeug benötigt werden.Furthermore, the metals from which the contact layer of the known electrical contact is made are expensive and therefore likewise not suitable for contacts which are required in large quantities. This applies in particular to electrical contacts in motor vehicles, which are required in quantities of 1000 to 3000 units per motor vehicle.
Im Automotive-Bereich haben elektrische Kontakte in der Praxis häufig eine Kontaktschicht aus Zinn. Diese Schicht kann eine feuerverzinnte oder galvanisch abgeschiedeneIn practice, electrical contacts in the automotive sector often have a contact layer made of tin. This layer can be hot-dip tinned or electroplated
Schicht mit einer Dicke von wenigen Mikrometern sein. Zinn zeichnet sich durch seine Duktilität sowie durch seine gute elektrische Leitfähigkeit aus. Bei Einsatz einer Zinnkontaktschicht bildet sich an der Grenzfläche zu dem Substrat, das üblicherweise aus einer Legierung auf Kupferbasis, wie CuSn4-Bronze, CuNiSi oder dergleichen, besteht, durch Diffusion eine Zwischenschicht aus, die aus intermetallischen Verbindungen, wie CuSn3 , Cu5Sn6, besteht. Die Zwischenschicht ist härter als die Kontaktschicht und kann temperaturbedingt wachsen.Layer with a thickness of a few micrometers. tin is characterized by its ductility and its good electrical conductivity. When a tin contact layer is used, an intermediate layer consisting of intermetallic compounds such as CuSn3, Cu5Sn6 is formed at the interface to the substrate, which usually consists of a copper-based alloy, such as CuSn4-bronze, CuNiSi or the like, by diffusion. The intermediate layer is harder than the contact layer and can grow due to the temperature.
Zinnlegierungen bzw. -schichten haben jedoch den Nachteil, daß sie aufgrund ihrer geringen Härte und des daraus resultierenden geringen Verschleißwiderstands bei häufigen Steckvorgängen oder durch fahrzeug- bzw. motorbedingte Vi- brationen zu Durchrieb neigen, was zu verstärkter Oxidati- on, der- sogenannten Reibkorrosion, führt. Der Durchrieb und/oder die Reibkorrosion können wiederum zu einem Ausfall einer dem betreffenden Kontakt zugeordneten elektrischen Komponente eines Kraftfahrzeuges, beispielsweise eines Sen- sors, eines Steuergeräts oder dergleichen, führen.However, tin alloys or layers have the disadvantage that they tend to rub through due to their low hardness and the resulting low wear resistance with frequent plugging operations or due to vehicle or engine-related vibrations, which leads to increased oxidation, so-called friction corrosion , leads. The abrasion and / or the fretting corrosion can in turn lead to a failure of an electrical component of a motor vehicle assigned to the relevant contact, for example a sensor, a control device or the like.
Nachteilig ist bei derartigen Zinnschichten auch, daß die Steckkräfte aufgrund der hohen Adhäsionsneigung und der plastischen Verformung dieser Kontaktschichten für viele Anwendungsfälle zu hoch sind.It is also disadvantageous with such tin layers that the insertion forces are too high for many applications due to the high tendency to adhesion and the plastic deformation of these contact layers.
Des weiteren ist aus der Praxis eine auf Zinn-Basis hergestellte, auch Thermozinn genannte Kontaktschicht eines elektrischen Kontakts bekannt, die zu 100 % aus inter etal- lischen Phasen besteht und durch Warmauslagerung herge- stellt wird. Abrasionstests haben auch für derartige Kontaktschichten nur eine beschränkte Einsetzbarkeit ergeben.Furthermore, a tin-based contact layer, also known as thermotin, of an electrical contact is known from practice, which consists of 100% intermetallic phases and is produced by hot aging. is posed. Abrasion tests have only shown limited usability for such contact layers.
Ferner werden bisher bei elektrischen Kontakten als Kon- taktschicht auch häufig AuCo-Legierungen mit Unternicke- lung, Silber-Schichten mit Unterkupferung oder Unternicke- lung oder auch Goldschichten eingesetzt.In addition, AuCo alloys with sub-nickel plating, silver layers with copper sub-plating or sub-nickel plating, or even gold layers have often been used as the contact layer in electrical contacts.
Insbesondere Oberflächen bzw. Kontaktschichten auf der Ba- sis von Silber, aber auch von Zinn, neigen zur Kaltver- schweißung aufgrund von Adhäsion und sind in Selbstpaarungen durch hohe Reibwerte gekennzeichnet .Surfaces and contact layers, in particular, based on silver, but also on tin, tend to cold-weld due to adhesion and are characterized by high friction coefficients in self-pairings.
Auch bei bisher bei elektrischen Kontakten eingesetzten Silber- oder Goldschichten kann es bei einem Schichtdurchrieb oder aufgrund von Abplatzern der Schicht zu oxidativen Verschleißvorgängen des Substrats oder einer als Haftschicht dienenden Zwischenschicht, die häufig aus Kupfer oder Nickel besteht, kommen.Even in the case of silver or gold layers previously used in electrical contacts, oxidative wear processes of the substrate or an intermediate layer serving as an adhesive layer, which often consists of copper or nickel, can occur when the layer is rubbed through or because the layer flakes off.
Vorteile der ErfindungAdvantages of the invention
Der elektrische Kontakt nach der Erfindung, mit einem me- tallischen Substrat, auf dem eine KontaktSchicht in Form einer Gradientenschicht aufgebracht ist, welche aus mindestens zwei Elementen gebildet ist, von denen eines Silber ist und eine Matrix für das zweite Element bildet bzw. mit diesem legiert ist oder von denen das eine Nickel und das andere Phosphor ist oder von denen das eine Indium und das andere Zinn ist, hat den Vorteil, daß es sich wegen der für die Kontaktschicht eingesetzten Komponenten, ihrer Verfügbarkeit und ihrer verhältnismäßig niedrigen Beschaffungskosten um eine Kontaktschicht handelt, die auch für in hohen Stückzahlen erforderliche elektrische Kontakte geeignet ist .The electrical contact according to the invention, with a metallic substrate, on which a contact layer in the form of a gradient layer is applied, which is formed from at least two elements, one of which is silver and forms a matrix for the second element or with it is alloyed or of which one is nickel and the other phosphorus or of which one is indium and the other tin has the advantage that it is because of the for the components used in the contact layer, their availability and their relatively low procurement costs are a contact layer which is also suitable for electrical contacts required in large quantities.
Als Gradientenschicht im Sinne der Erfindung ist eine Kontaktschicht zu verstehen, bei der sich der Anteil der beiden Elemente in Richtung der Normalen der Substratoberflä- ehe ändert. So kann beispielsweise der Anteil von Zinn in einer Silbermatrix bzw. Silber/Zinn-Legierung in der dem Substrat abgewandten Richtung abnehmen. Die Änderung der Elementanteile der Kontaktschicht kann linear sein. In diesem Falle handelt es sich um einen linearen Konzentrations- gradienten. Alternativ kann es sich aber auch um einen gemäß einer Treppenfunktion abgestuften Konzentrationsgradienten handeln. Grundsätzlich kann der Anteil des einen Elements in der KontaktSchicht in Gradientenrichtung einen Bereich zwischen 0 % und 100 % durchlaufen.A gradient layer in the sense of the invention is a contact layer in which the proportion of the two elements changes in the direction of the normal to the substrate surface. For example, the proportion of tin in a silver matrix or silver / tin alloy can decrease in the direction facing away from the substrate. The change in the element proportions of the contact layer can be linear. In this case it is a linear concentration gradient. Alternatively, it can also be a concentration gradient graded according to a staircase function. In principle, the proportion of one element in the contact layer in the gradient direction can pass through a range between 0% and 100%.
Das Substrat ist beispielsweise ein üblicherweise bei Steckverbindungen im Automotive-Bereich eingesetztes Substrat, beispielsweise eine Legierung auf Kupferbasis, wie CuSn4 -Bronze, CuNiSi oder dergleichen. Alternativ könnte auch ein Substrat aus einer Legierung auf Nickelbasis eingesetzt werden.The substrate is, for example, a substrate which is usually used for plug connections in the automotive sector, for example an alloy based on copper, such as CuSn4 bronze, CuNiSi or the like. Alternatively, a substrate made of a nickel-based alloy could also be used.
Wenn bei dem elektrischen Kontakt nach der Erfindung eines der beiden Elemente von Silber gebildet ist, das eine Ma- trix für das zweite Element darstellt bzw. mit dem zweiten Element legiert ist, kann das zweite Element bzw. Zusatzelement Zinn, Gold oder auch Indium sein.If in the electrical contact according to the invention one of the two elements is formed by silver, which represents a matrix for the second element or with the second Element is alloyed, the second element or additional element can be tin, gold or indium.
Die Gradientenschicht hat vorzugsweise eine Dicke von etwa 1 μm bis 3 μm, sie kann aber auch mit einer größeren Dicke ausgeführt sein.The gradient layer preferably has a thickness of about 1 μm to 3 μm, but it can also be made with a greater thickness.
Zur Verbesserung der Kontaktierung zwischen dem elektrischen Kontakt und dessen Gegenkontakt kann die Gradienten- schicht zumindest bereichsweise eine Edelmetall-Deckschicht aufweisen. Die Edelmetall-Deckschicht weist bevorzugt eine Dicke zwischen etwa 0,1 μm und 0,3 μm auf und stellt damit eine sogenannte „Flash"-Schicht dar. Als Edelmetalle für die „Flash"-Schicht eignen sich insbesondere Au, Ru, Pt und/oder Pd.To improve the contact between the electrical contact and its mating contact, the gradient layer can have a noble metal cover layer at least in regions. The noble metal cover layer preferably has a thickness between approximately 0.1 μm and 0.3 μm and thus represents a so-called “flash” layer. Au, Ru, Pt and. Are particularly suitable as noble metals for the “flash” layer / or Pd.
Die Herstellung der Kontaktschicht erfolgt vorzugsweise nach einem galvanischen Verfahren oder auch nach einem PVD(Physical Vapour Deposition) -Verfahren.The contact layer is preferably produced by a galvanic process or else by a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) process.
Weitere Vorteile und vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen des Gegenstandes nach der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der Beschreibung, der Zeichnung und den Patentansprüchen.Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the object according to the invention result from the description, the drawing and the patent claims.
Zeichnungdrawing
Ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines elektrischen Kontakts nach der Erfindung ist in der Zeichnung schematisch vereinfacht dargestellt und wird in der nachfolgenden Beschreibung näher erläutert. Die einzige Figur zeigt einen Schnitt durch einen elektrischen Kontakt nach der Erfindung.An embodiment of an electrical contact according to the invention is shown schematically simplified in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description. The single figure shows a section through an electrical contact according to the invention.
Beschreibung des AusführungsbeispielsDescription of the embodiment
In der Figur ist ein elektrischer Kontakt 1 dargestellt, der einen Kontakt eines Steckverbinders darstellt, der bei einem Automobil zum Einsatz kommt.In the figure, an electrical contact 1 is shown, which represents a contact of a connector that is used in an automobile.
Der elektrische Kontakt 1 umfaßt ein Substrat 2, das aus einer Legierung auf Kupferbasis, wie CuSn4 , CuNi2Si oder dergleichen, hergestellt ist. Das Substrat 2 hat eine Dicke zwischen 0,1 mm und 0,5 mm.The electrical contact 1 comprises a substrate 2, which is made of a copper-based alloy such as CuSn4, CuNi2Si or the like. The substrate 2 has a thickness between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm.
Auf dem Substrat 2 des elektrischen Kontakts 1 ist eine Kontaktschicht 3 angeordnet, die nach einem galvanischen Verfahren aufgebracht ist. Die Kontaktschicht 3 stellt ein Silber/Zinn-StoffSystem dar, wobei das Silber und das Zinn miteinander legiert sind. Der Anteil des Zinns in der Kontaktschicht 3 nimmt in der dem Substrat 2 abgewandten Richtung im wesentlichen linear ab, und zwar beispielsweise von etwa 100 % auf etwa 20 % . Die Kontaktschicht 3 bildet mit- hin eine Gradientenschicht.A contact layer 3, which is applied by a galvanic process, is arranged on the substrate 2 of the electrical contact 1. The contact layer 3 represents a silver / tin material system, the silver and the tin being alloyed with one another. The proportion of tin in the contact layer 3 decreases in a substantially linear manner in the direction facing away from the substrate 2, for example from approximately 100% to approximately 20%. The contact layer 3 thus forms a gradient layer.
Die Dicke der Kontaktschicht 3 liegt in einem Bereich zwischen etwa 1 μm und 3 μm.The thickness of the contact layer 3 is in a range between approximately 1 μm and 3 μm.
An der Oberseite der Kontaktschicht 3 ist eine als Deckschicht 4 ausgebildete sogenannte Hauchvergoldung bzw. „Flash"-Vergoldung mit einer Dicke von etwa 0,2 μm angeordnet .On the upper side of the contact layer 3 there is a so-called gold layer or "Flash" gold plating arranged with a thickness of about 0.2 microns.
Bei einer alternativen Ausführungsform eines elektrischen Kontakts weist der Gradient in die entgegengesetzte Richtung, so daß der Anteil an Zinn in der Kontaktschicht in Richtung des Substrats zunimmt und mithin an der Oberfläche der Kontaktschicht bzw. Gradientenschicht die höchste Silberkonzentration vorliegt. In an alternative embodiment of an electrical contact, the gradient points in the opposite direction, so that the proportion of tin in the contact layer increases in the direction of the substrate and consequently the highest silver concentration is present on the surface of the contact layer or gradient layer.

Claims

Ansprüche Expectations
1. Elektrischer Kontakt, insbesondere ein elektrischer Kontakt eines Steckverbinders, mit einem metallischen Substrat (2), auf dem eine Kontaktschicht (3) in Form einer Gradientenschicht aufgebracht ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Gradientenschicht (3) aus mindestens zwei Elementen gebildet ist, von denen eines Silber ist und mit dem zweiten Element legiert ist oder von denen das eine Nickel und das andere Phosphor ist oder von denen das eine Indium und das andere Zinn ist.1. Electrical contact, in particular an electrical contact of a connector, with a metallic substrate (2) on which a contact layer (3) is applied in the form of a gradient layer, characterized in that the gradient layer (3) is formed from at least two elements, one of which is silver and alloyed with the second element or one of which is nickel and the other phosphorus or one of which is indium and the other tin.
2. Elektrischer Kontakt nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Gradientenschicht (3) eine Dicke zwi- sehen etwa 1 μm und 3 μm aufweist.2. Electrical contact according to claim 1, characterized in that the gradient layer (3) has a thickness between about 1 micron and 3 microns.
3. Elektrischer Kontakt nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Gradientenschicht (3) zumindest bereichsweise eine Edelmetall -Deckschicht (4) aufweist. 3. Electrical contact according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gradient layer (3) at least in regions has a noble metal cover layer (4).
4. Elektrischer Kontakt nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Edelmetall-Deckschicht (4) eine Dicke zwischen etwa 0,1 μm und 3 μm aufweist.4. Electrical contact according to claim 3, characterized in that the noble metal cover layer (4) has a thickness between about 0.1 microns and 3 microns.
5. Elektrischer Kontakt nach Anspruch 3 oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Edelmetall-Deckschicht (4) aus Au, Ru, Pt und/oder Pd gebildet ist.5. Electrical contact according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the noble metal cover layer (4) is formed from Au, Ru, Pt and / or Pd.
6. Elektrischer Kontakt nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Gradientenschicht (3) nach einem galvanischen Verfahren oder nach einem PVD- Verfahren auf das Substrat (2) aufgebracht ist. 6. Electrical contact according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the gradient layer (3) is applied to the substrate (2) by a galvanic process or by a PVD process.
EP03770895A 2002-10-02 2003-10-02 Electric contact Withdrawn EP1550185A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10246062 2002-10-02
DE10246062A DE10246062A1 (en) 2002-10-02 2002-10-02 Electric contact
PCT/DE2003/003296 WO2004032284A1 (en) 2002-10-02 2003-10-02 Electric contact

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EP1550185A1 true EP1550185A1 (en) 2005-07-06

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US (1) US7589290B2 (en)
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JP (1) JP2006501615A (en)
DE (1) DE10246062A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004032284A1 (en)

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US20060163047A1 (en) 2006-07-27
DE10246062A1 (en) 2004-04-15
WO2004032284A1 (en) 2004-04-15
US7589290B2 (en) 2009-09-15
JP2006501615A (en) 2006-01-12

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