PFORZHEIM, GERMANY – AMI DODUCO, a Technitrol (NYSE: TNL) Company, presented successful test results of several contact materials in two presentations at the 17th Albert Keil Contact Seminar, held recently in Karlsruhe, Germany.

AMI DODUCO’s Volker Behrens, Ph.D., head of Contact Material Research and Development, pointed out the pressing need to develop contact materials to comply with the 2006 European Union’s environmental restrictions on cadmium. For small contactor applications such as household appliances, Andreas Kraus of AMI DODUCO reported that various silver metal oxides and silver nickel are viable, environmentally friendly alternatives to cadmium-based contact materials. The study compared the performance of three such materials: silver zinc oxide containing an oxide of silver tungsten, silver tin oxide containing oxides of bismuth and copper; and silver nickel. Tests showed that the performance of the proprietary silver zinc oxide alternative matches the performance of silver cadmium oxide, with significantly lower arc erosion and longer life.

In another presentation, AMI DODUCO’s Franz Kaspar, Ph.D, reported on the use of physical vapor deposition (PVD) coatings in high-temperature electrical connectors. In cooperation with Wieland-Werke, a supplier of copper-based connector alloys in Ulm, Germany, AMI DODUCO developed several new gold-platinum alloys using flexible PVD-coating technology. In tests, the coated connectors performed very well against all specifications, even after 3,000 hours at 200°C. This high endurance level qualifies them for high-temperature automotive applications. Another alloy, silver-tungsten, showed good resistance to arcing when disconnected under a 42-volt load. Only minor damages were observed at the contact surface, a much better result than with conventionally layered contact coatings.

“We are very pleased with our findings in the areas of environmentally friendly contact materials for appliances and high heat-tolerant coatings for rapidly evolving automotive needs,” said Behrens. “At AMI DODUCO, our research team is committed to helping customers achieve the best possible contact performance per unit cost and to expanding the range of materials that meet ever-changing design requirements.”

Headquartered in Export, Pennsylvania, AMI DODUCO is a global leader in electrical contact technology and fabrication. The company supplies contacts and assemblies, contact materials, thermostatic and laminated metal products, electroplating and surface treatment services, and precious metal refining and recycling to more than 3,000 customers. AMI DODUCO operates from locations in North America, Europe and Asia. The company’s website is www.amidoduco.com.