The Tribology of Contact Finishes for Electronic Connectors: The Effects of Underplate, Topography, and Lubrication
01 January 1988
The process of friction, mechanical wear, fretting corrosion, and frictional polymerization of the contact finishes in electronic connectors and other components are described. The contact plating practices for these products are largely determined by their tribological behaviors. Guidelines for the plater and connector design engineer are presented, and comments on research needs in contact tribology and some future trends in the metal finishing of contacts are given.