Some of the confusing issues for customers might be “What gold plating level should I choose for my application? Why do I need gold plating for the POGO-PIN connector?” In this article, we can have the answer for that.
1. Low contact resistance. Compared to other metal platings (eg. Pt, Pd, Silver), gold plating generally maintains lower and more stable contact resistance.
2. Corrosion resistance. Gold, as a Noble Metal Character, is one of the least reactive chemical elements, being the second lowest in the reactivity series, with only platinum ranked as less reactive.
3. Mechanical Durability. For conductive contacts, a gold alloy can provide the necessary durability and corrosion resistance.
To comprehend this question, let’s talk about the units of gold plating, and what are some most used gold plating level in electronics.
Microns (µ): This is the most common unit in the metric system.
Microinches (µin): This is the imperial unit, often used in the United States.
Applications: Consumer electronics (e.g., wearables, smartphones) in dry environments.
Salt Spray Test: 24–48 hours
Cost: Budget-friendly but limited durability.
Applications: Industrial equipment, automotive systems exposed to humidity.
Salt Spray Test: 96 hours+
Applications: Aerospace, marine, extreme environments, and high-end customers.
ZHENGHE’S products are built to last. You truly get what you paid for.
Application Environment:
High Humidity/Corrosion (e.g., automotive, industrial): 15–30 µinch (96–200+ hours).
Electrical Requirements:
High-frequency signals (e.g., 5G, RF connectors) require thicker gold plating (15+ µinch) to minimize resistance and signal loss.
Budget Constraints:
Thicker plating increases material costs. Balance performance needs with budget (e.g., use 5 µinch for cost-sensitive projects).
Compliance Standards:
Industries like medical or defense may mandate minimum thickness (e.g., 15 µinch for MIL-STD-454).
