THE EFFECTS OF TEST ATMOSPHERE CONDITIONS ON THE CONTACT RESISTANCE OF SURFACE FILMS ON SILVER

摘要

Laboratory studies were made of the effects of temperature, humidity, and gas concentration on the properties, as measured by contact resistance of surface films on pure silver. These films were grown in an H_2S-NO_2-Cl_2 environment. All data indicate that for chemically similar films (Ag_2S or Ag_2S plus AgCl), film properties are independent of test conditions. Film chemistry does effect film properties and, specifically, the mixed chloride plus sulfide films gave significantly higher contact resistance than did sulfide films at equivalent thicknesses. These results indicate that variations in test conditions is not of major concern for its effect on film properties. Instead, the major consideration in selection of test conditions for laboratory evaluation appears to be their effects on the acceleration factor.