How Gold Plated PCBs Are Used in Keypad and Button Circuit Boards
Gold is one of the rarest natural elements. It is an excellent conductor of electricity and does not develop insulating oxides/compounds when exposed to severe environments. This makes it perfect for keypad and button circuit boards.
To ensure optimum quality, the gold plating pcb should be alloyed with nickel and cobalt to boost strength. Moreover, it should also be beveled to ease insertion on the corresponding slot.
Long Lifespan
Gold is a durable metal and can be used to plate printed circuit boards. It has a high melting point and is easy to shape, which means it can withstand the rigours of electronic devices. It also resists corrosion, which is important for the lifespan of a device.
Soft gold plating is a popular surface finish for PCBs because it offers excellent adhesion. It is also tarnish-resistant and can be soldered quickly and easily. However, it doesn’t provide the strength of hard gold deposits and can be difficult to work with. This is why it’s best for soft joints and delicate connections.
Hard gold is an alloy that is harder than pure gold, which makes it ideal for use in places where there is a lot of friction. It is also resistant to wear, making it a good choice for PCBs that require repeated sliding. It has a polished grain structure and is therefore more brilliant than soft gold deposits. It is also less susceptible to fretting degradation than nickel.
Electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) is a thin surface finish that is often applied to PCBs. It has an excellent oxidation resistance and can be deposited uniformly and flat, which is a plus for sensitive connections and SMDs. However, it can corrode over time, especially when exposed to air. The resulting tarnish can reduce the functionality of the board and even affect solderability.
Corrosion Resistance
Gold plated PCBs are highly durable, making them ideal for use in aerospace, gold plating pcb military and medical equipment. They also have good conductivity, which is important for accurate signal transmission. But be careful not to over-plate the board – a thin layer of gold can easily wear away, and a thick one will cause problems with high-pressure sliding insertion/removal applications.
Copper is the most common base material used in PCBs but it oxidizes easily, particularly in humid environments. It can also form a weak gold/copper eutectic that reduces contact resistance, which is why it’s best to use hard gold as the top coat of your plated PCBs.
Unlike copper, gold doesn’t corrode. It can also withstand extreme temperatures and humidity levels. Besides, it is resistant to radiation and has good mechanical properties. Consequently, it can help you design electronic devices that can withstand harsh environmental conditions.
Before you apply the gold, you must first drill and etch the circuit boards to create the necessary holes. Then, you must apply nickel to prevent corrosion. Finally, you can add a solder mask and silk screens. Make sure that you don’t over-plate the PCBs because too much gold can harm conductivity and cause failures. In addition, the plating process should be properly controlled to ensure that it meets the required standards.
Durability
Hard gold PCBs are much more durable than traditional copper PCBs. This makes them ideal for handheld barcode scanners, which are constantly subjected to abrasion and other environmental factors. They also have better resistance to corrosion. This durability allows them to last longer, which cuts down on repair and replacement costs. As a result, your business can increase profits while providing customers with quality products.
To make a hard gold PCB, the board is drilled and etched before being plated with gold. The gold coating is usually alloyed with nickel or cobalt to give it more strength and durability. The coating is then buffed and polished to remove flaws and blemishes. Once the board is plated, it is coated with soldermask to protect the circuitry from contamination and moisture.
Gold plating is more expensive than other types of PCB surface treatment. One common type of PCB gold plating is called ENIG (electroless nickel gold). This is thin and has little effect on the conductivity of the copper. However, it does help prevent pad blackening. This problem happens when nickel is exposed to oxidizing acids, which can cause corrosion and discoloration. To avoid this, it is important to use good process control and clean the nickel before applying gold plating.
Ease of Assembly
Gold plated PCBs are often used in situations where tolerances need to be tight. It is also a good choice for high-density PCBs that are more likely to experience mechanical stresses due to insertion/removal cycles. Gold also provides Gold Plating PCB Supplier excellent conductivity and resists corrosion. However, it is important to choose the appropriate surface finish for each application. Using a nickel underplate with a hard gold overcoat can lead to pad blackening and reduced conductivity.
Unlike pure silver and copper, gold doesn’t develop insulating oxides or compounds over time. This makes it a good material for PCB contacts and connectors. It also withstands repeated contact cycles without deteriorating, which is vital for the long lifespan of the device.
Another benefit of gold is that it can withstand high levels of friction. This is especially important for the connection points on a PCB, which are usually the Gold fingers. This resistance to friction is why hard gold is preferred for the connections on a PCB.
To ensure that the Gold fingers on a PCB are durable, they must be properly inspected. The IPC recommends a visual test that involves inspecting the edges of the Gold fingers with a magnifying glass. It is also recommended that the tape test be conducted, which involves placing a strip of white tape along the edges and then removing it. The presence of traces of gold plating on the tape indicates that the edge connectors do not have sufficient adhesion.