Coating technologies for graphene-based contact materials

Purpose and goal

ABB and Uppsala Univ. have, in a collaboration prior to this project, developed a new self-lubricating contact material based on Ag and GO. The target for this project has been to build further on this work and develop a cost-efficient thin-film process and a possible supply-chain for this material. However, the development of a functional thin-film process has proven more difficult than expected, and the materials requirements have not been met. Therefore, we discontinue the project after Phase I, but will bring with us important learnings and will continue the work in another format.

Expected results and effects

Below the specified targets and project outcome are listed: 1.Friction vs. Ag-plated surface a grease-lubricated Ag-Ag contact Outcome: Reached, lowest friction for a Ag:GO film ~0.2-0.3 2.Resistivity and contact resistance not more than 50% higher than standard Ag plating Outcome: Not reached, contact resistance > x10 higher 3.Wear and particle generation lower than for standard Ag plating Outcome: Reached 4.Cost of developed thin-film solution not more than x2 of cost of present solution Outcome: Preliminary analysis suggest target will be reached

Planned approach and implementation

This bridging project was structured into three phases (Phase I-III), with the overall target being to demonstrate the new contact materials in thin-film form in a real product. However, a decision was taken to prematurely stop the project after Phase I, since the targets could not be reached. The scope of the following phases is no enough to make the needed thorough analysis and development work required in this case. A new project with a deeper scope is here needed, e.g. within the framework of SIO Grafen.