Evaluation of amalgamated metallic surfaces for reducing friction, contact resistance, and wear in electrical contact applications

Mercury wetting of metallic surfaces is insufficient to reduce friction, whereas the amalgamation of certain metals to form a mercury rich solid layer at the surface significantly reduces friction, contact resistance, and wear. The amalgamation of metal alloys results in considerably lower friction than the amalgamation of the constituent metals separately. Coefficients of friction for eleven amalgamated metals and four alloys are presented. Laser interference fringe surface topography, contact resistance, coefficients of friction during 1 km of wipe, the associated wear, and the effects of temperature on friction are reported for an amalgamated palladium-silver alloy.