Intermittency events in bio-compatible electrical contacts

This paper presents a study of the electrical contact performance of bio-compatible electrical connectors. In particular, the focus is on the performance of these devices under low frequency fretting conditions aimed to replicate the types of motion that may be experienced in-vivo. In the study, the contact materials selected include titanium, stainless-steel and cobalt-chromium alloys in various combinations. These materials are investigated under a unique methodology developed to include the high-frequency sampling of contact resistance values under dry-circuit conditions (20mV) and under low voltage levels of 5V. The experimental methodology is discussed in determining the best standard for continuing studies that compare relative performance. In all tests, the materials exhibit measurable intermittency events, after a low number of fretting cycles. These events are discussed and related to the surface form exhibited and measured using 3D surface scanning methods. The results are then related to theoretical studies of intermittency.