Effect of electroless coating parameters on the physical and mechanical properties of copper based electrical contact materials

In this study, in order to examine the effect of electroless coating parameters on the properties of electrical contact materials produced from silver-coated copper powders by electroless coating method; The effects of temperature, pH and mixing speed were investigated. In addition, experimental studies were carried out in order to examine the effects of the amounts of the process components used in the silver-plating process with the electroless plating method. As a result of repeated experiments carried out to determine the most suitable electroless coating process conditions, it was determined that the most suitable process conditions were 600 rpm mixing speed, 40 °C temperature and pH 11 parameters. In addition, as a result of the experiments carried out to determine the most suitable amount of electroless coating components, the most suitable results were obtained by using 5 g of copper powder, 0.963 g of silver nitrate and 1.625 g of sodium-potassium tartrate in 50 mL of liquid solution. The hot press method was used for the production of compact materials. 500 °C temperature and 600 MPa pressing pressure parameters were used in hot press processes. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), energy distribution spectrometer (EDS), electrical conductivity measuring device, hardness measuring device and Archimedean experimental setup were used for characterization processes.