Composite Plating Wear Resistance via Selenium Additives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional composite plated products with carbon particles in a silver layer have high friction and low wear resistance, making them unsuitable for long-life contact and terminal applications, and increasing current density during plating deteriorates their wear resistance.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a composite plating solution with carbon particles treated by oxidation and a silver matrix orientation adjusting agent, specifically selenium ions, is used to form a coating on a substrate, adjusting the molar ratio of silver to free cyanide ions to prevent wear resistance deterioration and enhance productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the current density in the plating process is increased to improve productivity, then the production efficiency increases, but the wear resistance of the composite plated product deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the plating solution by introducing specific organic additives and controlling the ratio of cyanide to silver ions. This modifies the plating mechanism to allow high current density operation without forming loose, non-adherent coatings, thus maintaining wear resistance while improving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The organic additives in the plating solution act as intermediaries that mediate between the silver ions and the substrate during plating. These additives control the deposition process to ensure proper adhesion and wear resistance even at high current densities, preventing the deterioration of coating quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional composite plating methods are used with carbon particles in silver matrix, then the basic lubrication function is achieved, but the wear resistance remains low and friction coefficient is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefriction coefficientVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite plating system containing carbon particles, organic additives, and silver matrix. The organic additives form a specific molecular structure that works synergistically with carbon particles to reduce friction and enhance wear resistance, going beyond simple carbon-silver composites

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The plating solution creates local quality variations in the coating by distributing organic additives and carbon particles in specific configurations. This results in different functional zones within the coating that collectively provide both lubrication and high wear resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method produces a composite plated product with improved wear resistance and reduced friction, allowing for increased productivity and extended lifespan of contact and terminal components.

Implementation Method 1

carbon particles treated by an oxidation treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

electroplating a substrate in the composite plating solution to form a coating of a composite material, which contains the treated carbon particles in a silver layer, on the substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroplating: Electroplating

Data Source

PatentEP1939331B1Process for producing composite-plated material
Publication Date: 2013.02.20 DOWA METALTECH CO LTD
  • EP1939331B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

There is provided a method for producing a composite plated product wherein a coating of a composite material containing carbon particles in a silver layer is formed on a substrate by using a composite plating solution wherein carbon particles treated by an oxidation treatment and a silver matrix orientation adjusting agent are added to a silver plating solution, the method being capable of preventing the wear resistance of the composite plated product from being deteriorated even if the current density in a plating process is increased. The molar ratio of silver to free cyanogen in the composite plating solution is adjusted so as not to be less than 0.7, preferably so as to be in the range of from 0.7 to 1.3. The silver matrix orientation adjusting agent contains selenium ions, and is preferably potassium selenocyanate. The concentration of the silver matrix orientation adjusting agent in the composite plating solution is adjusted so as to be in the range of from 5 mg/l to 20 mg/l.