Case 1179 ยท Public preview
Contact Wear Debris Can Turn Lubricant into a Conductive Paste
A switch developed unstable leakage between adjacent contacts, while other contact pairs remained isolated.
Electrical testingDissectionSEM/EDSElemental mappingMicrosectioning
What the evidence preview establishes
Wear of soft Ag-Ni wipers deposited conductive particles in dielectric gaps between gold pads. Mixed with contact lubricant, the particles formed a paste capable of unstable electrical leakage. Hard glass fibers, tarnish, load variation, and alloy composition could accelerate wear.
Why this case matters
Evaluate sliding contacts as a wear-debris system. Control alloy hardness, abrasive fillers, spring load, lubricant behavior, tarnish, and the path by which particles can bridge adjacent signals.
Full evidence reserved for MEMBER and STOREThe complete case includes the evidence sequence, four interpreted figures, alternative explanations, limitations, and practical application guidance.