Where would I find out what metals are used in gold plated electrical connectors? Sci.chem is dead. I want to find out whether there are toxic metals used sometimes or not, eg lead, cadmium, etc.
thanks NT
- posted
5 years ago
Gold plating info
Loading thread data ...
- Vote on answer
- posted
5 years ago
You'd have to contact the connector vendor to know for sure. Connector plating is often gold over nickel.
-- John Larkin Highland Technology, Inc picosecond timing precision measurement jlarkin att highlandtechnology dott com http://www.highlandtechnology.com
- Vote on answer
- posted
5 years ago
ISTR it involves quite a lot of cyanide exposure so best do it in a proper fume cupboard.
-- This message may be freely reproduced without limit or charge only via the Usenet protocol. Reproduction in whole or part through other protocols, whether for profit or not, is conditional upon a charge of GBP10.00 per reproduction. Publication in this manner via non-Usenet protocols constitutes acceptance of this condition.
- Vote on answer
- posted
5 years ago
Gold contacts are usually plated with an alloy of gold and about 0.25% nickel or cobalt to harden it and prevent the mating contacts from cold welding and eventually tearing each other apart. Lead or cadmium are very unlikely to be present. Copper and its alloys are almost invariably plated with a barrier layer of nickel under the gold. This prevents the gold from diffusing into the copper and eventually disappearing. The best electrolytes are based on gold/potassium cyanide, so they do need to be handled carefully. A fume cupboard is a good idea if large areas are being plated and significant amounts of hydrogen cyanide released.
John
- Vote on answer
- posted
5 years ago
thanks John, just what I was looking for.
NT