Olin Corporation

John G Cowie

Julius C Fister

Jacob Crane

George J Muench

A palladium alloy of the form Pd.sub.x M.sub.y M'.sub.z where M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon, iron, nickel, copper, chromium, cobalt, boron and aluminum and M' is at least one element selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, chromium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum and tungsten is provided. The alloys exhibit oxidation resistance and low electrical contact resistance and are particularly suited for electrical applications such as coatings for electrical contacts or connectors. In a preferred embodiment, the alloy is palladium/niobium containing from about 5 to about 10 atomic percent niobium.

Palladium alloys having utility in electrical applications

A palladium alloy of the form PdNbM where M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon, iron, nickel, copper, cobalt, boron and aluminum is provided. The alloys exhibit oxidation resistance and electrical contact resistance and are particularly suited for electrical applications such as coatings for electrical contacts or connectors. In a preferred embodiment, the alloy contains from about 5 to about 10 atomic percent niobium.

There has been provided an electrical component having resistance to oxidation and wear. The component has a copper or copper alloy substrate coated with a relatively thick layer of silver. A thin layer of gold may be deposited on the external surface of the silver coating layer to improve oxidation resistance, lubricity and to serve as a diffusion barrier.

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Bethany, CT, United States of America

John G Cowie