generic test setup to test plating for switches, or maybe contact rivets

[coppercone2]

So you can do some stuff pretty easy like nickel plating but there is lots of parameters to play with.

The only common plating test is optical and some gauges for thickness.


Is there some kind of generic test setup one could make to test the performance of some sort of contact that would give good information about the quality of the plating that you could run for a while?

i.e. some kinda specs on a test like shape, spring force, etc. A generic laboratory relay setup with realistic conditions

[coppercone2]

or a COTS off the shelf part that could disassemble, be replated and used for cycle data

[coppercone2]

how about tungsten silver contact rivets? or copper tungsten

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115645203954

I think its possible to make a reliable switch with that



I imagine some badass next generation DIY wafer switches can be made with contact rivets.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125645722891

What kind of analog precision equipment can be made with these robust custom switch options?


It gets rid of alot of funny business that you might think you need to deal with making your own switch. I was going mad thinking about fatigue of bent metal contacts. You could even make your own (oversized) connectors with these things. I think they might end up being really strong. Its simple construction, no need for precision forming equipment or plating.


I even see the possibility of making fork contacts by grinding these if their big enough for low current or low bounce relays. Not as good as gold but it might be something. And if you don't mind it large it might be possible to hermetically seal them pretty easily.