Alternative silver dispersion layers for high power contacts - ALDIHOK

The plating industry faces a radical change in the automotive sector. While some coatings lose their significance other applications are in need of new solutions with specific surface properties. Such an application are high power contacts based on copper bodies having a high electrical conductivity but falling short in corrosion resistance. Thus, the are currently coated with a silver graphite coating where silver guarantees corrosion resistance while graphite reduces silver’s risk of cold welding. These systems are challenged by the need to replace the state-of-the-art cyanide-based plating technology by an environmentally friendly one and the demand of higher and higher charging powers pushing these coatings to their thermal stability limits.

These issues are being addressed in the new IGF research project “Alternative silver dispersion layers for high power contacts - ALDIHOK” (IGF no. 01IF23181N). Together with the Electrochemistry group of the Fraunhofer IKTS Dresden currently available systems will be expanded to put the silver dispersion coating on a cyanide-free basis and new procedures developed to include a second dispersoid.

The focus is put on the cyanide-free deposition of silver dispersion coatings with graphite and silicon carbide as single and finally as two component systems. On top of that a localized or graded dispersoids distribution is intended.

The aim is to increase the thermal stability of the silver dispersion coatings while keeping its excellent surface electrical conductivity and to establish a cyanide-free process to deposit such layers.

The results of the project will be made available to SMEs of the surface treatment and electroplating sector, thus enabling them to implement these new innovative and environmentally friendly methods and to produce high quality products with improved properties.

Das IGF-Vorhaben wird durch das Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz aufgrund eines Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages gefördert.