Wear resisting coating, esp. for electric contacts - consists of intermetallic cpds., esp. hard carbide(s), obtd. by sputtering onto contact carrier

摘要

The contacts consist of a carrier, which is coated on at least one surface by sputtering using a high-frequency plasma. The sputtering target consists of intermetallic cpds., e.g. hard carbides; and is exposed to ions in the plasma so neutral atoms and/or ions leave the target and are deposited on the carrier. The target pref. consists of sintered pressings made of pure or mixed carbides of the transition metals in gps. IVB-VIII of the periodic system. Alternatively, the target may consist of mixts. of metals and/or non-metals which cannot be made by melting; or of intermetallic cpds. sepd. from a molten bath. Masks are pref. used, so only a desired area of the carrier is coated. A very simple method is provided for forming contacts, esp. for low electric currents, where the contacts have a low electric resistance, and do not weld together. The sputtered carbides have a resistance similar to that of hard gold.