Tin-silver coatings

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved coatings for electrical or electronic connectors such as contacts or terminals used in automotive applications. Coatings in accordance with the present invention preferably comprise binary tin-silver coatings consisting of more than 1.0 wt % to about 20 wt %, preferably from 2.0 wt % to 15 wt %, and most preferably from 3.0 wt % to 10 wt %, silver and the balance essentially tin. The coating is preferably applied by immersing the substrate material in a molten tin-silver bath.

1 . A mating electrical connector comprising: 
 an electrically conductive material; and    a coating formed on at least a portion of the electrically conductive material, the coating consisting essentially of tin and from 2.0 wt % to about 20 wt % silver, the coating having a thickness in the range of from 0.00001″ to 0.001″.