Assessment Of The Quality Of Gold Plating In Electrical Contact

The electrical contact has always been an essential part of the electric circuit and system. The gilt of the connector is always necessary to ensure the reliability of the electrical contact between connectors. The assessment methods of the quality of the gold plating are non-negligible parts when researching on the reliability of the electrical contact.The main aspects related to the quality of the gold plating are thickness, pore rate, adhesion and wear resistance. Assessment methods of them are mentioned here, in which methods about adhesion and wear resistance are deeply researched.Some assessment methods about the adhesion of the gilt, referred in GB5270 and GB 12305.5, are tested according to the theory of these methods and the experimental condition of the lab. Several assessment methods are selected and further standardized on the basis of the previous experiment results, and the repeatability of these methods are improved.Some assessment methods about the wear resistance of the gilt, referred in current standards, are deeply researched and a parameterized method for judging the wear resistance of the gilt is developed and verified. A factor for judging the wear resistance of the gilt is defined and verified. The method to detect the factor is improved.Nicking test is the best method to assess the quality of the gilt, which repeatability can be largely improved by using the force sensor. A model to assess wear resistance is established by using different kinds of sandpaper and gold-plated samples. The parameter to assess the wear resistance of the gilt, the ratio of wear area to the whole gold plating area, is defined.