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Copper Alloy Strip Stripe-Plated with Precious Metal

1.

INTRODUCTION

A mechanically strong copper alloy with a corrosion-resistant precious metal (e.g. gold, silver, and palladium) plating is preferably used for electronic contacts and connectors. The combination of base copper alloy and precious
metal plating is important for the reliability of electric connections.
We have started to produce and sell precious metal
plated strips with a gold and/or palladium strip plated onhigh-performance copper alloy strips (phosphor bronze,brass, EFTEC series, etc.).

2.

FEATURESWe carry out integrated production starting from base copper-alloy materials thereby enabling:
1) Recommendation regarding suitable combinationof base copper alloy and precious metal plating(e.g. gold and palladium stripe plating on silver plated copper alloy or bare copper alloy)2) Guaranteed quality from base material to plating
3) Fine plating and base surfaces
Table 1

Cu and Cu alloy

Thickness

0.05~0.64 mm

Table 1 shows the range we can produce. Figure 1 shows
selected product examples.

4.

STRIPE PLATING ACCURACYFigure 2 shows stripe plating accuracy of a 200-m longstripe with 4.2-mm wide gold plating.
Plating location achieved using the special stripe plating
equipment is the most precise excluding the tape masking
method. (about ±0.2 mm)

Remarks• Ag plated strip is available• Flat punched strip is available

10~65 mm

Width
Underplating
Finishing

Nickel (bright, matt), whole
Hard Gold (Au-Co), Palladium

Thickness ofUnderplating

0.1~2.0 µm

platingFinishing0.01~2.0 µm

plating

PRODUCIBLE LIMIT

Producible range of precious metal stripe plating.

Base material

Face side of3.

Producible range

ItemPlating

We use special stripe-plating equipment without expensive tape-masking to achieve accurate stripe at lower
cost.

Underplating

Both sides

Au Finishing

One side or both sides

Pd Finishing

One side or both sides

Width of stripe

0.5~8.0 mm• Whole flash Pd plating is needed• Location accuracy: ±0.25 mm

Number of stripes

As many as needed• 2.5 mm space is needed between the stripes

Location of stripes

Anywhere as far as edge

• Edge plating is available only on one face side

Variety of stripe thicknesses

Two thicknesses

Furukawa Review, No. 23

2003

130

Copper Alloy Strip Stripe-Plated with Precious Metal

One side Au, Two stripes (two thicknesses)

Whole Pd + One side Pd
One stripe
50µm

Furukawa productFigure 3

One side Au
Six stripes

General productSEM image of plated surface.

Whole Ag + One side Au
One stripe

Figure 1

Location at width (mm)50µm

Product examples.

10.0
9.050µm

B

8.0

Furukawa product

B7.0A

Figure 4

6.0
A

5.050µm

General productSEM image of W-bent plated material.

4.0
3.0
2.0050100150200

Location at length (m)Figure 2

5.

Locational accuracy of stripe.

SURFACEGold stripe plating on a nickel undercoated C2680R strip
was observed with a scanning electron microscope(SEM), and compared to a general method.
Figure 3 shows images of the surface. Our materialshows the microstructure of the base material, which has
no deformed layer. On the other hand, the general material shows buff scratches on the surface.

6.

7.

PURPOSES

Suitable for switches, connectors, and brush contacts.

8.

CONCLUSION

We can propose and supply the ideal plated copper materials for your needs through an integrated manufacturing
process based on accumulated techniques.
For more information, please contact:
First Marketing Dept., Metals GroupTEL: +81-3-3286-3850
FAX: +81-3-3286-3289

BENDABILITY

Figure 4 shows SEM images of the 0.4-mmR W-bent surfaces of the same materials as those above. Our producthas no cracks, while general products currently available
have surface cracks.

Furukawa Review, No. 232003131