Quantifying the influence of plastic vapours on different contact materials in sealed miniature relays

A simple test facility for measuring contact resistances, combined with special statistical evaluation methods, permits the influences of plastic outgassing phenomena of contact materials to be studied. The test facility consists of an AT286-computer and purchasable equipment. Two evaluation methods are compared: the method of one-sigma-slope determination in the case of dry switching, and observation of the contact resistance at a low resistive load of 6 V/100 mA. Both methods lead to comparable results and are suitable for optimizing material selection. The influences of adhesive foils on electrodeposited contact layers are addressed.<
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