Beryllium-copper battery springs

"Battery springs provide fast, efficient, and reliable contacts in applications in which portable power is required; for example, in battery compartments", says Adam Binding, European marketing manager of Lee Spring. "Beryllium copper - one of the hardest, strongest, and most hard-wearing copper alloys - improves the spring's physical properties, and a silver coating enhances electrical and thermal conductivity performance raising it to 65% to 70% that of copper, and makes them easier to solder." The new springs supplement the company's existing stock range which is manufactured from nickel-coated music wire to match the nickel-plated containers used by most alkaline batteries. "The use of similar materials removes the possibility of galvanic corrosion and enhances resistance to wear. In addition, nickel helps to break down the oxide that can form on battery contact surfaces while offering corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity."