# US 2013/0240367 A1 · Method for producing components for electrical contacts, and components themselves

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- Number: US 2013/0240367 A1
- Document ID: US20130240367A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/886,590
- Filed: 2013-05-03
- Published: 2013-09-19
- Earliest claimed: 2003-06-09
- Assignees: ABB Technology AG
- Applicants: ABB Technology AG
- Inventors: Dietmar GENTSCH
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130240367A1

## CPC

- C25D 5/022: {using masking means}
- C25D 7/00: Electroplating characterised by the article coated
- H01H 1/021: Composite material
- C25D: PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)

## Abstract

A method for producing electrical components for electrical contacts, and such a component are provided. To achieve simpler production of a partial surface treatment, which likewise exhibits optimal current carrying capacity, with minimum material use of noble metals, the entirety of the components are provided with an electrically insulating passivation layer, and the passivation is then removed chemically or mechanically at the contact points of the components. The entire components are put into an electrolytic bath, and a noble metal is deposited only on the parts of the components from which the passivation layer has been removed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for producing a component for at least one electrical contact, the at least one electrical contact having a partial noble-network coating in an area of contact surfaces of the component, the method comprising:
applying an electrically insulating passivation layer over the entirety of the component;
removing the passivation layer at contact points of the component;
passing the entire component through an electrolytic bath; and
depositing a noble metal only on the contact points of the component from which the passivation layer has been removed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the component is composed of aluminum, and the passivation layer is composed of an aluminum-oxide layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the component which is composed of aluminum is anodized directly after production by at least one of heat pressing, forging, and an aluminum casting.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the passivation layer is applied with a layer thickness of up to 100 micrometers.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the component is a component of at least one of a low-voltage, medium-voltage and high-voltage switchgear assembly, and the passivation layer is removed only from those areas which form contact surfaces with other components and the noble-metal coating is deposited at the areas which form the contact surfaces.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical contacts include electrical connecting elements.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein passivation layer is applied by one of chemical coating using a sol-gel process, and plastic coating.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the passivation layer is removed from the contact points at least one of mechanically and chemically.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the aluminum-oxide layer of the passivation layer comprises an anodization which is produced electrolytically.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the passivation layer is applied with a layer thickness of up to 100 micrometers.

### Claim 11 (depends on 3)

The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the passivation layer is applied with a layer thickness of up to 100 micrometers.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the component is a component of at least one of a low-voltage, medium-voltage and high-voltage switchgear assembly, and the passivation layer is removed only from those areas which form contact surfaces with other components and the noble-metal coating is deposited at the areas which form the contact surfaces.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the noble metal which is deposited is one of silver and gold.