Sliding Studies of New Connector Contact Lubricants

A widely used lubricant for the contacts of separable connectors is a five-ring polyphenylether fluid. However, the heat to which electronic equipment can be continuously subjected due to increased packaging density and to elevated ambient temperatures may be beyond the limit of thin coatings of this fluid due to its volatility. A search for new lubricants was therefore initiated, and the first part of this work is described. A friction and wear evaluation of various organic fluids and a grease using clad DG R-156 and cobalt-gold electroplate contact materials was conducted. It was found that a six-ring polyphenylether and viscous perfiuoroalkypolylether fluids (>500 centistokes (cSt) at 25°C) · are good lubricants and possess other desirable characteristics such as very low volatility, thermal stability, and oxidation resistance. The second part of the study, presented elsewhere, develops quantitative life data for the several fluids and makes recommendations concerning lubrication practices.