I had some prototype circuit boards made containing traces that form an array of targets for conductive rubber switches. I know from taking apart dead phones, calculators, etc., that these switch on the circuit board are normally either gold-plated or coated with carbon - I suppose to combat corrosion. But to save money, I didn?t get that done on these 20 developmental prototypes. The swtich targets are just bare traces (no solder mask). At this stage, is there anything I can do myself to improve the longevity of these prototype boards? How beneficial is that plating or coating on conductive rubber switch targets anyway? Or course the production boards will be commercially coated, but I would like the prototypes to last as long as possible.
Robert Scott Ypsilanti, Michigan