Gold plating involves coating a base metal with a thin layer of gold, usually through a process called electroplating.
This process improves the base metal’s resistance to corrosion and wear, and it also enhances its electrical conductivity.
You’ll find gold plating in both decorative and industrial applications.
What are the benefits and applications of gold plating?
Gold plating isn’t just for looks. It offers some functional benefits, too.
Functional benefits
- Corrosion resistance. Gold stands up to corrosion better than many other metal coatings, making it a good choice for harsh environments.
- Electrical conductivity. Gold is a highly conductive metal, so it’s often used in electronic components like switches, semiconductors, circuit boards, and connectors.
- Wear reduction. Gold plating can help reduce wear and tear on parts and components.
Applications
The electronics industry relies on gold plating for connectors, circuit boards, and semiconductors. Gold-tin alloys can also be used as solders in electronic and optoelectronic applications.
How does gold plating work?
Typically, gold plating is applied through a process called electroplating. This means using an electrical current to deposit a thin layer of gold onto another metal.
Gold can be plated onto a wide variety of metals. Some of the most common metals used as a base are brass, copper, and nickel.
The thickness of the gold layer depends on its purpose. Gold coatings used for decoration are much thinner than gold coatings used for functional purposes. In fact, decorative gold plating can be 200 to 300 times thinner than a sheet of copy paper.
Gold Alloys and Their Uses
Pure gold isn’t always the best choice for every application. Alloying gold with other metals improves its properties.
Some common gold alloys are:
- gold-tin
- gold-cobalt
- gold-palladium
- gold-silver
Gold-tin alloys are used as solders in electronics and optoelectronics. Other alloys offer hardness or wear resistance.
What are the downsides of gold plating?
Gold plating doesn’t last forever. Over time, especially in harsh conditions, it can wear away. However, you can re-plate components when this happens.
Gold plating also has a higher upfront cost. But it may be more cost-effective in the long run because of its durability and performance benefits.
Putting It All Together
Gold plating offers outstanding protection against corrosion. It’s an excellent conductor of electricity, and it stands up well to everyday wear and tear.
While gold plating can seem expensive at first, it can save money in the long run. So, if you’re looking for a durable, reliable finish, gold plating may be the right choice.