Full-Body Hard Gold PCB Plating
Full-body hard gold PCB plating entails using an electrolytic procedure to plate the entire surface of the circuit board. This type of surface finish is ideal for military applications since it can withstand high current densities.
The nickel is then plated with a layer of hard gold that’s alloyed with cobalt for boosted surface resistance. The edges are beveled for easy insertion and aesthetics.
Durability
Gold is a strong metal that can resist wear and tear. It is also resistant to corrosion, making it a good choice for PCBs that connect and disconnect frequently. For example, it is used to plate the edge connectors of a PCB. These connectors are known as “gold fingers.” These gold surfaces must be able to withstand the repeated friction of connection and disconnection.
For this reason, a hard gold plating process is used gold plating pcb for the PCB’s edge connectors. The process starts with pre-treatment with etchants and conditioners. It then goes through a reduction reaction. The PCB is then dipped in a solution that contains metallic catalysts and a metal ion. The result is a gold layer that is several microns thick.
The thickness of the gold layer is regulated to ensure that it remains durable over time. The coating also has a high current density to prevent corrosion and other defects. In addition, the nickel that is used in electroplating can cause black pad, which is a condition that requires frequent replacement of the connector.
Another advantage of gold is that it reflects infrared radiation, which allows it to shield components from external electromagnetic interference. This feature is especially important in PCBs that transmit signals between peripheral devices and motherboard cards. However, you should avoid excessive cleaning of your circuit boards, as it can lead to a physical weakening of the gold-plated contacts.
High-temperature resistance
Gold PCBs offer high-temperature resistance, which is critical in electronic devices. This is because they conduct signals at high speeds and resist corrosion better than copper-based PCBs. For this reason, they are used in aerospace, military, and medical equipment.
Unlike copper, gold does not react with oxygen and other chemicals. In addition, it can be alloyed with nickel and cobalt to boost its durability. This means that gold-plated metal contact areas on a circuit board will last longer, reducing maintenance costs and downtime.
The plating process for hard gold starts with pre-treatment using etchants and conditioners. After that, the boards are activated to coat them with a thin layer of metallic catalyst and reduced in a metal ion bath. The current density determines the thickness of the gold coating, with higher densities producing thicker layers.
After the gold coating is applied, it must be tested Gold Plating PCB Supplier for adhesion. The test involves running a strip of tape over the surface and removing it to examine the gold coating. Ideally, the gold should be evenly distributed and free of voids and excess nickel.
The thickness of the gold layer is also an important factor in determining how durable it will be. If the gold is too thick, it will be prone to wear and tear, while thinner coatings will be more susceptible to damage from friction and thermal shock.
Low-porosity
Gold plating is a very thin coating that can be applied to various parts of a circuit board. It is resistant to corrosion, etching, and other processes. It is also extremely durable and can withstand high temperatures. This makes it ideal for use in mechanized equipment and computers. Gold-plated circuit boards are often used for metal contacts and high-wear areas on the circuit board. They can be manipulated and moved with ease without causing damage or breaking. They are also immune to oxidation and don’t react to chemicals or rust.
The amount of porosity on a gold-plated PCB is directly related to the coating thickness. It increases as the thickness of the coating decreases. In addition, the amount of porosity is affected by substrate flaws such as imprinting marks, laminates, and inclusions. The porosity of a PCB can also be impacted by the temperature and humidity of the environment.
PCB hard gold plating can withstand a large number of insertion cycles, and is more durable than ENIG plating. However, it is important to note that the metallurgical characteristics of the copper substrate can influence the wear behavior of the hard gold coating. It is recommended to apply a nickel underplate, which will minimize the friction coefficient and improve the durability of the PCB hard gold surface finish.
Environment-friendly
Gold is a very environmentally-friendly metal, making it an ideal plating material for PCBs. It doesn’t react with oxygen and can resist corrosion in natural and man-made settings. This is important for many electronic components, such as PCBs and telecommunication systems. Gold-plated PCBs also have a high melting point, which means they can withstand higher temperatures than other types of circuit boards.
Unlike nickel and tin, which are toxic, gold is biodegradable. It can even be used to make medical devices. In addition, it’s a good conductor of electricity and heat, and has high temperature resistance. Gold-plated PCBs are also more durable than their copper and tin counterparts, so they can be used in mechanized equipment, such as computers.
Hard gold is a type of surface finish that has excellent solderability and wire bonding properties. It also prevents pinhole corrosion. However, it is more expensive than other finishing options. One option is to use an electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) finish, which doesn’t require cyanide. This type of finishing is better suited for separable PCBs, because it is soft and easy to solder.
The plating process for a PCB requires several rigorous tests and inspections. For example, the tape test is a simple procedure that involves placing a strip of tape along the edge connectors and removing it. If the edges of the PCB are not sufficiently adhesive, it is considered defective and will not be accepted. Another test is the visual test, which involves inspecting the edges of the Gold fingers with a magnifying glass.