Page 10 of catalogue Contact profiles, contact bimetals of Prym Inovan GmbH & Co. KG

CONTACT BIMETALS

Introduction
Contact bimetals consist of a contact material and a carrier strip. These two materials are merged into a metallic composite material by mechanical bonding. The contact material is defined according to the following criteria: - Electrical load range - Chemical behaviour - Material properties

INOVAN contact bimetals are used in applications in a wide range of branches: • Switching contacts – – – – – Automotive switches Switches Temperature fuses Large domestic appliances / control technology Household installation switches (light switches)

• Circuit breakers – Contactors • Semiconductors – Automotive – Electronics • Motors – DC Motors – AC motors • Bondable aluminium surfaces

Application-related and commercial advantages
• Ideal adapted contact material – Alloys can be used to match the application. – Precious metal alloys (e.g. AuAg26Ni3) replace high-grade gold layers. • Combination between cold cladded and electroplated layers – The combination of the various coating methods makes an optimum adaptation to the respective application possible. • Favourable stamping costs – Contact parts made out of contact bimetal strips are punched and bent in only one production process. • Optimum adhesion – During cold cladding the bonding partners enter a metallurgic connection. • Good ductility – No cracks are produced during stamping.

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