Connector Corrosion Protection

Connectors are the most vulnerable points in a circuit. Corrosion, from either oxidation or galvanization, reduces current-carrying capacity and results in intermittent, and ultimately permanent, failure of the circuit. In harsh environments, the major cause of connector failure is galvanic corrosion, a process in which dissimilar metals give up or collect electrons in the presence of an electrolyte, usually water.

Although many connectors are designed for use in harsh environments, too often their service lives are limited by corrosion due to gaps and other leak paths (even microscopic porosity) in the wires, insulation, plastic housing and pins. Prior to complete failure, a corroding connector may cause its circuit to fail intermittently, causing downtime and maintenance expense while frustrated mechanics search for the source of the problem.

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Temperature cycling causes the dissimilar materials in connectors to expand and contract at different rates. Exacerbated by this and other stressful conditions, such as vibration or repeated bending, leak paths allow penetration by the main culprit - moisture. In some cases, leak paths even function as wicks drawing in moisture.

Harsh environments where connectors are commonly used include automobile engine compartments; military, aircraft and aerospace equipment; outdoor devices; and a range of industrial facilities. Lubricants and coolants used to keep automated assembly lines running can attack plastic insulating materials, as can the steam and caustic chemicals regularly used to wash down certain food-processing equipment. And in marine applications such as shipping and offshore oil rigs, corrosion is further accelerated by sea salt.

With these applications in mind, there are two basic ways to minimize corrosion to consider when designing a system and specifying the connectors that will be used in it: plating and sealing.

For many years, plating of an electronic connector's contacts with a layer of tin has been a common practice, especially where copper and aluminum are both present. This not only reduces electron transfer, but also lowers resistance and prevents the discoloration of bare copper. Aluminum contacts, if not plated, are often coated with an oxide-inhibiting compound. However, neither practice is effective against harsh environments in the long run.

Sealing, if done properly, closes off the leak paths that moisture and oxygen can follow. Sometimes, sealing is done in addition to plating. Silicone-based sealants are effective in many applications, as are epoxy-based potting compounds. Both types are typically applied by hand to the connectors, but this is a relatively expensive solution to the corrosion problem. In some cases, these hand-applied sealants may make final assembly of the end product more difficult and time-consuming, since they are usually not uniformly applied. Another factor affecting sealed connector is that, in some automated assembly machines, connectors that don't slide together easily can shut down the whole assembly line.

New Resin Option
A recent advance in connector sealants, methacrylate polymer resin, provides maximum protection for connectors in harsh environments. Instead of being painted or brushed onto individual connectors one by one, these nonconductive resins can uniformly and economically seal a large batch of connectors, assemblies, and wiring harnesses all at once, in a process called vacuum impregnation.

Vacuum impregnation technology has been employed for decades in the complete sealing of leaks resulting from porosity in metal castings and powdered-metal parts. In liquid form, the resins-either thermoset or anaerobic-are forced into all voids in a casting, usually via vacuum and pressure. The material is then washed and cured, completely sealing porosity and leaving the part leak-free, even under pressure.

There are four common methods of impregnation: dry vacuum and pressure, internal pressure, wet vacuum and pressure and wet vacuum only. The leak paths and porosity in connector components are easily filled with the wet vacuum only approach. Inside a vacuum chamber, connectors, assemblies, or entire wiring harnesses are placed in a bath of low-viscosity impregnating resin and air is entirely evacuated from the chamber. All air in the connectors, wires, etc. rises to the surface of the bath and is removed from the chamber. Once the vacuum is drawn, the return to normal atmospheric pressure is enough to drive the resin into all leak paths.

At this point, the product is water-washed prior to curing, to prevent the sealant from interfering with conductivity. Next, the resin is cured in a hot bath - usually at about 140F. Though not necessary for the curing process, ions from copper, aluminum, or iron inside connectors can actually function as catalysts, assisting in the curing process. These metals give up electrons to the resin as if it were a more cathodic metal. Anaerobic resin has proven particularly effective for sealing connectors because it does not require air to cure.

Once cured, the resin is irreversibly cross-linked and will not reliquify. It will withstand temperatures up to 350F and resist solvents, Freon, steam, oil, gasoline, glycols and printing inks.

Yet another benefit of these resins is their potential for flexibility. When necessary for the anticipated application, the resin can be formulated to cure to a flexible state.

Until recently, there has been a drawback to most impregnated thermoset resins - they tend to ignite when exposed to fire. Fortunately, fire-resistant resins are now on the market.

After the impregnation process, a simple air-pressure test can be performed to prove the connector assembly is thoroughly sealed against ambient moisture and salts that could otherwise cause corrosion and product failure.

Extreme Environment Application
The durability of connectors sealed in this manner can be especially helpful in installations with prolonged conditions of thermal cycling, vibration and moisture changes, such as those encountered in many military/aerospace applications.

In tanks and other land vehicles, vibration and frequent temperature changes call for rugged, tightly sealed connections. Humidity, rain and washdowns supply plenty of moisture, which is of course more abundant for ships, boats and amphibious vehicles.

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has concluded that corrosion at the junctions of connectors carrying signals is one of the most frequent causes of intermittent failure and other erratic performance in aircraft electrical systems.

High-altitude pressure drops can draw trapped air out of a connector, possibly opening new pathways for corrosion-causing moisture. Moisture can then quickly enter such pathways in wet weather or during washdown/de-icing operations. Condensation or water vapor in humid air could be forced into the pathways as the aircraft descends and air pressure rises. A connector totally sealed using vacuum impregnation has no air pockets, since they would be filled with resin.

For more information, visit: http://www.impco-inc.com.