Tin coatings incorporating selected elemental additions to reduce discoloration
US6183886A · kind A · utility
20Cited by
18References
7Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/12792
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A tin coated electrical or electronic component has enhanced resistance to oxidation and tarnishing as well a smaller increase in contact resistance when exposed to elevated temperatures. These benefits are achieved by depositing a relatively thin, on the order of 5-50 angstroms thick, layer of zinc on the tin coating prior to heating. A subsequent step of heating the sample to a temperature and time effective to convert all free tin to an intermetallic imparts the additional advantage of reducing the coefficient of friction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.