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Gold has been recognized as a noble metal for centuries, serving diverse decorative, functional, and industrial uses. In our contemporary interconnected world, the advantages of gold plating have never been more apparent, particularly in high-reliability connectors and contacts that ensure swift and dependable signal transmission. Since its inception, Advanced Plating Technologies (APT) has offered gold plating services across various challenging industries, including telecommunications, defense, and the medical field.

As an ISO : & : certified and ITAR-registered organization, APT tailors its gold plating solutions to meet even the most stringent demands. We specialize in barrel, rack, and vibratory plating of intricate components using both hard and soft gold, along with duplex gold plating. APT is capable of providing 99.9% pure (Type III) soft gold and 99.7% pure hard gold (Type I or II), offering a variety of underplate combinations to comply with a wide range of ASTM, Military, or OEM specifications.

Categories of Gold Plating

Gold plating primarily falls into three main categories: hard gold plating, soft gold plating, and duplex gold plating, which combines characteristics of both hard and soft gold. Below is a concise description of each:

• Hard Gold Plating - This form employs a small percentage of alloying elements to enhance the hardness and wear resistance of the gold coating. Common additives include cobalt or nickel, although iron and arsenic have also been utilized. Hard gold deposits exhibit a refined grain structure which lends a vibrant gold appearance and are beneficial in applications with frequent contact or sliding actions.
• Soft Gold Plating - In contrast to hard gold, soft gold is nearly pure with purities exceeding 99.9%. Its grain structure is less refined, resulting in a maximum hardness of 90 Knoop. The high purity level makes soft gold ideal for wire bonding and high-temperature applications, as there are no alloying elements that could lead to oxidation. Soft gold is often chosen for medical uses due to its purity and biocompatibility.
• Duplex Gold Plating - This method combines both hard and soft gold plating, creating a finish that incorporates the strengths of both types. For instance, a robust layer of soft gold may be topped with hard gold to enhance wear resistance while also providing added corrosion protection without substantial gold usage.

Advantages of Gold Plating

The benefits of gold electroplating are numerous and include:

• Electrical Conductivity - Gold ranks as the third most conductive metal (21.4 n*m), outperforming even copper and silver in extreme conditions due to its resistance to oxidation and compound formation. This characteristic makes gold plating ideal for copper and stainless-steel connectors, ensuring a stable and reliable conductive pathway.
• Thermal Conductivity - Gold retains its position as the third most thermally conductive metal at 315 W/m*K, again falling behind only silver and copper. Its high thermal conductivity remains unaffected by insulating compounds, making it suitable for demanding applications like down-hole drilling.
• Ductility - Gold is known for its exceptional ductility, which makes it perfect for flexible contacts or springs. This adaptability ensures longevity during repeated contact cycles, though appropriate underplate selection and application are vital for electrical contacts or springs.
• Non-Reactivity - As a noble metal, gold doesn’t react with other elements, allowing pure gold nuggets to be found in nature thousands of years later. This property makes gold plating an effective corrosion-resistant barrier.
• Corrosion Resistance - The inert nature of gold renders it highly resistant to corrosion, even in harsh environments. Gold remains stable against strong acids, salts, and other corrosive agents, preserving its properties, making it suitable for components like battery contacts and springs.
• Biocompatibility - Gold plated medical devices can be safely implanted within the human body due to gold's resistance to bacteria and its excellent performance during autoclave cycles, making it suitable for orthopedic tools and devices.
• Aesthetic Value - Gold electroplating enhances the visual appeal of objects with a lasting finish that resists tarnishing and oxidation, thereby symbolizing quality across various applications.

Summary

The extensive advantages offered by gold plating must be complemented by a well-engineered finish. Crucial factors include not only the type and thickness of the gold but also the necessary underplates applied prior to the gold coating. Furthermore, it is essential to properly prepare and activate the base metal to ensure optimal performance of the gold finish. APT's technical sales and engineering team can assist in design optimization and develop testing protocols for any component or application.

For further details regarding gold plating and additional metal finishing solutions, feel free to reach out to us at 414.271. or send us a message via our contact form or request a quote links.

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