Electrical layer contact element and method for manufacturing same
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorsGuenther Henning, Ursula Michelsen-Mohammadein, De Marc Vogelaere, Josef Weiser
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Abstract
A layer of silver-metal oxide, a layer of gold or a gold alloy and, a layer of rhodium or ruthenium are electrolytically produced on a metal base, preferably in the form of a wire. The gold alloy is partially diffused into the silver-metal oxide layer by an annealing process at a temperature between 300.degree. and 900.degree. C. As a result, a low-impedance and burn-up resistant contact coated element is provided for employment in weak current relays.
Claims8
An electrical layer contact element comprising:
- a metallic base;
- a silver-metal oxide layer, having a thickness of 20 .mu.m to 70 .mu.m electrolytically produced on the base, the silver metal oxide layer comprising a silver matrix and from about 2 to 12 percent by weight dispersant, based upon the weight of the silver-metal oxide layer;
- and
- a second layer, of material selected from the group consisting of gold and gold alloys, electrolytically produced on and partially diffused into the silver metal-oxide layer.
A method for manufacturing an electrical layer contact element including a metallic base;
- the method comprising:
- electrolytically producing a silver-metal oxide layer on said base, having a thickness between 20 through 70 .mu.m;
- electrolytically producing a second layer on the silver-metal oxide layer of material selected from the group consisting of gold and gold alloys, and having a thickness of 1 through 3 .mu.m;
- electrolytically producing a third layer on the second layer of material selected from the group consisting of rhodium and ruthenium and having a thickness less than 1 .mu.m, on the second layer;
- and
- annealing the silver-metal oxide the second, and the third layers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.