Gold Plating PCB
Gold plating pcb is used for the contact surfaces of PCBs. Unlike pure gold, it is hard and resistant to friction. It also resists corrosion.
Besides, it is not susceptible to fretting degradation. Moreover, it does not react with oxygen.
To prevent copper from diffusing into the gold, a nickel underplate is needed. This layer also closes pores and substrates to reduce pin-hole correction.
Durability
Gold is an excellent choice for circuit boards that require high durability. It provides good conductivity and resists oxidation and corrosion. It is also durable enough for use in critical applications, such as aerospace and military equipment. This is why it is a popular option for PCB manufacturers. Moreover, it can be used as an alternative to tin-lead plating when tight tolerances are required.
The thick gold coating on the contacts of hard gold PCBs prevents noise interference between traces and improves signal quality. This makes it ideal for sensitive applications, such gold plating pcb as RF circuits below 30 GHz. It also protects against oxidation and corrosion, which is a common problem with copper-plated conductive surfaces.
However, the thickness of the gold layer plays a crucial role in its durability. If the coating is too thin, it will not be able to withstand mechanical stress and other environmental conditions. In addition, the thicker the coating is, the more resistance it has against oxidation and corrosion.
When selecting a hard gold PCB manufacturer, look for one that follows ethical standards and adheres to RoHS regulations. Additionally, the manufacturer should provide technical support and help you select the right design for your needs. They should also offer a wide range of interconnection solutions and solder mask stack-up builds. They should also have a good track record of meeting delivery deadlines.
Electrical Conductivity
Gold is one of the best electrical conductors. It is also corrosion resistant and ductile. This makes it a great choice for PCB contacts. It is often alloyed with nickel and cobalt to boost its wear resistance. In addition, it can withstand repeated contact insertion and removal cycles.
The ductility of gold enables it to withstand high-pressure sliding insertion and removal applications. This characteristic helps it endure a significant number of connections before wearing out. However, it’s important to note that gold isn’t durable on its own. It is most effective when plated over a hard metal underplate.
Another benefit of gold plating is its resistance to oxidation. It has a low chemical reactivity, which means it doesn’t react with oxygen in either natural or man-made settings. This is one of the reasons why it’s so reliable in down-hole drilling and outer space applications.
The process of plating gold onto a PCB involves many intricate steps. In order to ensure that each circuit board rolling off the production line is equipped with the right number of gold fingers and corresponding slots, manufacturers must adhere to strict standards. They must also make sure that the fingers are properly positioned and fit together without causing any gaps. This requires an extensive series of inspections and tests. If any defects are found, the PCB will be rejected.
Resistance to Corrosion
Gold PCBs resist corrosion really well, especially against humidity and other environmental factors that can damage metal components. This makes them ideal for telecommunications, where devices must work with data under a variety of conditions. They also offer excellent conductivity, reducing signal interference. This helps ensure that telecommunication equipment works reliably and efficiently.
Gold-plated contacts also benefit from the hardness of their plating. These contacts can withstand the abrasion of sliding insertion and removal, which is a common part of PCB manufacturing. They also don’t suffer from fretting corrosion, a material deterioration that occurs at the interface between two contacting surfaces in corrosive environments and can lead to small oscillatory movements between them over time.
It’s important to find a reliable PCB manufacturer who offers hard gold PCBs. Look for a company that uses standardized processes and is compliant with international standards like ISO and RoHS. They should also provide technical support to help customers choose the best surface finish, solder mask stack-up builds and more.
The choice between immersion and soft gold is also important, as each has its strengths and weaknesses. Soft gold can be used for abrasion-resistant connections, while immersion gold is better for soldering. Soft gold can also be alloyed with nickel and cobalt to enhance its wear resistance. Alloys are also helpful for improving solderability and wirebonding characteristics of a circuit board.
Appearance
Hard gold plating PCBs have a polished, clean appearance that can be inspected under a magnifying lens. In addition, they must pass a tape test in which a strip of tape is placed along the edges of the gold fingers and then removed and inspected. If any traces of nickel or excessive gold are visible on the strip, then the plating is not adhering properly to the gold fingers.
The hardness of gold plates makes them ideal for contacting parts that are frequently inserted and removed. They also have excellent resistance to corrosion and tarnishing. Moreover, they have the ability to withstand high temperatures Gold Plating PCB Supplier without damaging the copper substrate. This characteristic makes them a perfect choice for applications such as mobile phones and handheld devices.
Gold is also relatively inert when it comes to oxidation. It has a lower chemical reactivity than silver or copper, which means that it will not react with oxygen in natural or man-made environments. This is an important factor when choosing the right material for fabricating contact parts that are more prone to wear and tear.
In addition to their durability, hard gold plates have excellent solderability. Unlike soft gold, which contains nickel, hard gold does not oxidize and can be used in high-temperature applications. In addition, it can be alloyed with nickel and cobalt to boost its conductivity. In fact, gold is often a key ingredient in conductive plastics such as polyimide and polyethylene.