Abstract:
The invention relates to an electrical contact element (1) made from an electrically conductive contact material (3) and to a method for altering mechanical and/or electrical properties of at least one area (15) of an electrical contact element (1). In order to provide such a contact element and a corresponding method which make it possible to equip areas with desired mechanical and/or electrical properties which differ from those of the contact material (3) and in order to carry out, quickly and inexpensively, the manufacture of such areas or of such a contact element with the minimum of production steps, the invention provides that the contact element (1) comprises at least one area (15) on which particles (17) are arranged in an adherent manner, of which at least a part has penetrated into the contact material (3) at least in sections. For the method according to the invention, it is envisaged that on the at least one area (15) of the contact element (1) particles (17) are deposited at high speed, wherein at least a part of the particles (17) penetrates at least partially into the contact material (3).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for connecting a conductor (1) comprising a base metal to a terminal element (2)comprising copper, and to a terminal assembly(18) with a conductor (1) comprising a base metal and with a terminal element (2)which comprises copper and which is connected to the conductor (1). In order to reliably connect a conductor (1) comprising a base metal and a terminal element (2)comprising copper to one another both mechanically and in an electrically conductive manner, it is envisaged according to the invention that the conductor (1) and/or the terminal element (2)is coated, at least at the weld joint (5, 10), with a copper alloy or a mixture comprising copper and at least one base metal, before the conductor (1) and the terminal element (2)are welded onto one another. In this manner, a terminal assembly(18) can be produced which satisfies the strict requirements for use in the automotive industry and in which the conductor (1) is welded to the terminal element (2), wherein the weld seam (19) has a layer of a copper alloy or of a mixture comprising copper and at least one base metal.