Separable electrical contacts having non-noble metallic elements with specialized surface treatments for high reliability signal applications

摘要

One embodiment of an electrical contact has a copper alloy substrate and a hard underlayer plating such as nickel. The underlayer is coated with a thin, liquid barrier film coating. The substance that forms the coating is one of the proprietary materials that are described in military specifications MIL-C-81309E, and MIL-L-87177A, Amendment 1. The military specifications generally describe classes of ultra-thin film, water-displacing, corrosion preventive compounds that may be applied by dipping, brushing, or from gas-pressurized containers. The mating surfaces of both mating contacts (i.e., male and female) are provided with the coating. The coatings provide excellent corrosion protection for both contacts despite physical contact therebetween.