Powder metallurgy method for making an electric contact and the resulting contact

Abstract

Abstract A layer of refractory metal or metal compound powder and a layer of low temperature melting metal or metal alloy powder are arranged together in the cavity of a compacting die and consolidated together to form an integrated two-layer compact which is thereafter heated above said low temperature but below the refractory powder''s sintering temperature to cause the pores of the compact''s refractory portion to be impregnated with the low temperature melting component while leaving an excess thereof forming a thin layer on the refractory portion. Because the two layers of the compact are consolidated together so that the compact may be moved safely without the layers separating during the heating, the use of a continuous furnace for the heating is commercially practical, and because the refractory portion is not sintered, the finished product''s dimensions can be accurately predetermined by the compacting die cavity dimensions. By heating the compact with its low temperature melting end down and resting as a refractory carrier surface having a plurality of depressions beneath this end, said layer is formed with a smooth exposed surface suitable for soldering or welding to a supporting metal part. Thus, a finished electric contact, for example, may be produced by the two steps of compacting and heating only, having a thick contact layer resistant to arc burning and contact welding trouble and a thin support layer that is solderable or weldable to a metal support or operating element.

Inventors

• 👤 Horst Schreiner
• 👤 Bernard Rothkegel

Bibliographic Details