Crack pinning failure mechanism

The notion of a gas-tight seal as the product of a proper press-fit is crucial to connection reliability. If an electrical contact is to be rehable, the interface between the two mating surfaces must remain chemically and mechanically stable. The gas-tight, smeared, metal-to-metal contact attained during the press-fit operation mitigates oxidation of either contact (FTH barrel or press-fit pin) and prevents fretting corrosion, which is a common failure mechanism for mechanically mated contacts, especially those subjected to vibration. Press-fit interconnection is considered at least as rehable as a soldered connection and there is no solder joint to degrade or crack with time. 

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