Coated articles and methods

Abstract

Coated articles and methods for applying coatings are described. The article may include a base material and a coating comprising silver formed thereon. In some embodiments, the coating comprises a silver-based alloy, such as a silver-tungsten alloy. The coating may, in some instances, include at least two layers. For example, the coating may include a first layer comprising a silver-based alloy and a second layer comprising a precious metal. The coating can exhibit desirable properties and characteristics such as durability (e.g., wear), hardness, corrosion resistance, and high conductivity, which may be beneficial, for example, in electrical and/or electronic applications. In some cases, the coating may be applied using an electrodeposition process.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of depositing a coating, comprising:
 providing an anode, a cathode, an electrodeposition bath associated with the anode and the cathode, and a power supply connected to the anode and the cathode; and   driving the power supply to electrodeposit a coating on a base material, the coating comprising a silver-based alloy, the silver-based alloy further comprising tungsten and/or molybdenum, wherein the silver-based alloy has an average grain size of less than 1 micron.