Silver-coated joints of aluminum conductors

THE EXPANDING facilities for the production of aluminum, coupled with its advantages of light weight and low cost, indicate strongly that aluminum will occupy a position of increasing importance in the electrical industry. To meet the high standards of performance being maintained with electrical joints in modern switch gear, a new process has been developed for the silver plating of aluminum. By replacing the aluminum surface in the contact area with a silver surface, the detrimental effects of the much discussed aluminum-oxide surface film can be eliminated. In this manner the admirable bulk characteristics of aluminum and the established excellence of silver surfaces as electric contacts can be combined in a reliable bus or connection bar.