Prediction of connectors long term performance from accelerated thermal aging tests

The authors discuss surface films and report their effects on the long-term electrical stability of contacts, based on thermal aging tests. The surface films discussed are: residual plating salts, tin oxide, and tin oxide in the presence of lubricant. Surface film effects are found to be detrimental to the performance of electrical connectors because they lead to increases in low-level contact resistance. Of the three films studied, the tin oxide in the presence of lubricant is shown to cause the most significant changes in low-level contact resistance.<>