Modification of Ag-plated contacts by nitrogen ion implantation

This paper focuses on the effects of nitrogen ion implantation on performance of Ag-plated contacts in a connector. The implant energy is 32 - 40 keV and implanted doses are between 1approx.4×10¹⁷ ions/cm². The wear abrasion and friction tests were made on implanted and unimplanted contacts with an insertion-withdraw testing apparatus. Moreover, in order to know the anticorrosion ability of the contacts, the diluted sulfuric acid corrosion tests were also made for those specimens. Surface hardness as well as contact resistance were measured during experiments. With the implanted contacts, the performance was found more stable and better than those unimplanted. By means of SEM micrographs, the paper attempts to explain the mechanisms of the wear resistance, stability of contact resistance, and anticorrosion in implanted contacts. It has been shown that it is a very promising way to improve properties of Ag-plated contacts by ion implantation.