Engineering insight
Use the following as an early selection reference. Specific models, datasheets and samples should be confirmed with actual structure drawings.
01
Gold-plated vs standard contacts
Gold-plated contacts typically have contact resistance below 50mΩ and remain stable over time. Standard contacts oxidize in humid or sulfide environments, causing gradual resistance increase. For signal transmission and high-frequency operation, gold-plated contacts offer clear reliability advantages.
02
Gold thickness selection
Common gold thickness ranges from 0.05-0.5μm. Thin plating (0.05-0.1μm) suits consumer electronics, while thick plating (0.2-0.5μm) is better for industrial and automotive electronics. For high-reliability medical and security devices, 0.3μm or thicker plating is recommended.
03
Balancing cost and reliability
Gold plating adds cost but reduces after-sales repair and return costs. Consider product life, environment and target cost. For critical function keys, the long-term reliability of gold-plated contacts is worth the investment.