Large Electric Current Induced Degradation of Tin Plating Contact

Abstract

Influence that the electric current gave on the degradation of tin plates contact was investigated. In this report, the contact resistance behavior under electrical current test and the observation of the contact area after electrical current test were investigated. The electrical current conditions were 100A, 200A and 300A.

From the result of the electrical current test, the decreases in contact resistance from 0 seconds to 5 seconds increased with the increase of electric current. The Joule heat increases when electric currents increase. As a result, it is considered that the conditions of contact between female embossment and the male receptacle suddenly changed.

The contact resistance after electrical current test at 100A was high. On the other hand, the contact resistance after electrical current test at 200A and 300A became equal and was lower than that of 100A. In addition, a contact area after electrical current test at 200A and 300A were bonded by molten tin.