Pulse Electrodeposition of Nanostructured Silver-Tungsten-Cobalt Oxide Composite from a Non-Cyanide Plating Bath

Abstract

A new cyanide-free "self-lubricated" silver alloy electroplating bath was formulated for silver-based contact finishes for electrical contacts applications. The formulated bath deposited nanostructured silver-tungsten-cobalt oxide composite through pulse-electroplating process. Recipirocation sliding wear, hardness, surface morphology, composition, grain size, and thickness of the deposits were measured. The deposited material displayed exceptional galling resistivity compared to standard silver and any commercially available electroplated silver alloys such as Ag, and Ag-W. This new alloy of silver has potential to replace standard silver or silver-alloy plating of electrical contacts for obtaining better performance with regard to galling or adhesive wear resistivity.

Simultaneous Electrodeposition of Silver and Tungsten from [EMIm]Cl:AlCl3 Ionic Liquids outside the Glove Box

“…Small amounts of W can also be co-deposited with Ag. Patent literature [20,21] describes an electrodeposition process using pulse and pulse reverse deposition from an aqueous solution in order to deposit Ag-rich W films. Additionally, the process utilizes complexing agents that are common to other W electrodeposition processes, such as citrate, alongside a brightening agent in a pH range from 6.5 to 8.0 to produce films with a mass fraction of up to w W = 8.7%.…”

Electrodeposition of Ag/CNT Composite Films from Iodide Plating Baths

“…Iodide ions (I − ) also form stable complex ions with Ag + , and studies on the electrodeposition of Ag using iodide baths have also been reported. [12][13][14][15] In the recent literature, research on the Ag composite plating of electronic connectors using non-cyanide baths, such as Ag/carbon black composite plating using a 5,5-dimethylhydantoin bath 16 and Ag-W alloy/cobalt oxide composite plating using a hydantoin derivative bath, 17 has been reported. In these reports, the carbon black or cobalt oxide was used as a solid lubricant to reduce the coefficient of friction and the amount of wear.…”