a leading supplier of connectors and interconnect systems, has been evaluating Silver MaxPhase?, Impact Coatings’ gold plating replacement technology. This has now resulted in the parties entering into an agreement to commercialize the contact finishing solution.

As part of the two-year agreement, FCI will market and sell Impact Coatings’ patented contact coating Silver MaxPhase. FCI’s customers include some of the world’s largest electronics companies. Impact Coatings will support FCI with technical knowhow, sales support, and production capacity for prototype samples.

For Impact Coatings, the agreement creates a powerful channel to major end-customers. FCI has better access to end-customers with respect to select Silver MaxPhase over regular gold plating. FCI obtains exclusive rights to promote Silver MaxPhase to certain application areas set out in the agreement.

The ‘Silver MaxPhase’ finish replaces gold finish for electrical contacts. The finishing solution leads to both reduced cost and better electrical conductivity. Silver MaxPhase is being coated with PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) instead of electro-plating, and this result in a significant reduction of hazardous substances during production. This is aligned with FCI’s vision to deliver more environmentally friendly products to the market. Impact Coatings’ production equipment for Silver MaxPhase can therefore be set up without the environmental licenses required for plating.