An article comprises a metal alloy substrate and a plated wear interface layer disposed over a surface of the metal alloy substrate. The wear interface layer has a chemical composition including between about 0.005 wt % and about 0.050 wt % of antimony (Sb), and the balance silver (Ag) and incidental impurities.

An electroplating bath for depositing a silver/tin alloy on a substrate. The electroplating bath comprises (a) a source of tin ions; (b) a source of silver ions; (c) an acid; (d) a first complexing agent; (e) a second complexing agent, wherein the second complexing agent is selected from the group consisting of allyl thioureas, aryl thioureas, and alkyl thioureas, and combinations thereof; and (f) optionally, a wetting agent, and (g) optionally, an antioxidant.

The present invention relates to an electrolyte and to a method for the electrolytic deposition of silver coatings and silver alloy coatings. The electrolyte according to the invention is cyanide-free, storage-stable and ensures the deposition of high-gloss, brilliant and white silver and silver alloy layers for technical and decorative applications.

The present invention relates to an electrolyte and to a method for the electrolytic deposition of silver coatings and silver alloy coatings. The electrolyte according to the invention is cyanide-free, storage-stable and ensures the deposition of high-gloss, brilliant and white silver and silver alloy layers for technical and decorative applications.

An electroplating bath for depositing a silver/tin alloy on a substrate. The electroplating bath comprises (a) a source of tin ions; (b) a source of silver ions; (c) an acid; (d) a first complexing agent; (e) a second complexing agent, wherein the second complexing agent is selected from the group consisting of allyl thioureas, aryl thioureas, and alkyl thioureas, and combinations thereof; and (f) optionally, a wetting agent, and (g) optionally, an antioxidant.

A method is described for protecting a silver surface against tarnishing. This involves depositing a layer of a silver-copper alloy on a substrate, which may be a silver substrate. The alloy comprises between 0.1 wt % and 10 wt % of copper relative to the total weight of the alloy. At least one layer of a metal oxide or a nitride having a thickness in a range of 1 nm to 200 nm is deposited on the alloy to protect against tarnishing. The presence of copper in the silver-copper alloy enhances the alloy's adhesion without altering the silver color.

A terminal material for a connector provided with a base material in which at least a surface layer is made of copper or copper alloy, a nickel-plating layer made of nickel or nickel alloy and formed on a surface of the base material, a silver-nickel alloy plating layer made of silver-nickel alloy and formed on at least a part of the nickel-plating layer, and a silver-plating layer made of silver and formed on the silver-nickel alloy plating layer; the silver-nickel alloy plating layer has a film thickness 0.05 .Math.m or more and less than 0.50 .Math.m and a nickel content 0.03 at% or more and 1.00 at% or less.

A substrate includes a final silver-plated surface protected against silver tarnishing by a protective coat having a thickness between 1 nm and 200 nm, the protective coat includes a first coat of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 deposited on said final silver-plated surface and having a thickness between 0.5 nm and 100 nm, and on the first coat of Al.sub.2O.sub.3, a second coat of TiO.sub.2 having a thickness between 0.5 nm and 100 nm, the substrate including a coat of a silver and copper alloy comprising between 0.1% and 10% by weight of copper with respect to the total weight of the alloy, forming said final silver-plated surface, said coat of a silver and copper alloy having a thickness between 1000 nm and 3000 nm. Embodiments also relate to a method for manufacturing such a substrate.

A base material at least a surface is made of copper or copper alloy and a silver-nickel-potassium alloy plating layer formed on at least a part of the base material are provided; the silver-nickel-potassium alloy plating layer has a film thickness of 0.5 μm or more and 20.0 μm or less, a nickel content of 0.02% by mass or more and 0.60% by mass or less, and a potassium content of 0.03% by mass or more and 1.00% by mass or less; and an average crystal grain size of the silver-nickel-potassium alloy plating layer is preferably 10 nm or more and 150 nm or less.

A base material at least a surface is made of copper or copper alloy and a silver-nickel-potassium alloy plating layer formed on at least a part of the base material are provided; the silver-nickel-potassium alloy plating layer has a film thickness of 0.5 μm or more and 20.0 μm or less, a nickel content of 0.02% by mass or more and 0.60% by mass or less, and a potassium content of 0.03% by mass or more and 1.00% by mass or less; and an average crystal grain size of the silver-nickel-potassium alloy plating layer is preferably 10 nm or more and 150 nm or less.