Process for depositing a metal coating on a metallic component of an electrical structure

A process for depositing a metal coating on a selected component of a feedthrough assembly including a ferrule, an insulator mounted within the ferrule, and at least one terminal pin extending through the insulator, to displace surface oxides and to deposit a conductive finish suitable for making an electrical connection, comprising the steps of:

• positioning an inert gas dispensing hood over the selected component to create an inert gas environment around the selected component;
• connecting a ground electrode of an electric circuit to the selected component;
• attaching an active electrode of the electric circuit to a metal anode;
• bringing the metal anode into contact with a selected area of the selected component to cause a portion of the metal anode to be deposited onto the contacted area of the selected component while removing surface oxides from the contacted area;
• and
• shielding an area of the feedthrough assembly from contact with the metal anode.

A process for depositing a silver coating on a tantalum terminal pin of an electrical structure to displace surface oxides and to deposit a conductive finish suitable for making an electrical connection, comprising the steps of:

• positioning an inert gas dispensing hood over the tantalum terminal pin to create an argon gas environment around the terminal pin;
• connecting a ground electrode of an electric circuit to the electrical structure;
• attaching an active electrode of the electric circuit to silver anode;
• bringing the silver anode into contact with a selected area of the terminal pin to cause a portion of the silver anode to be deposited onto the contacted area of the terminal pin while removing surface oxides from the contacted area;
• and
• shielding an area of the electrical structure from contact with the silver anode using a paper mask.