Gold Plated Wire

Gold is most commonly used as a thin plating on connection points. The thin oxide layer that most metals form on their surfaces when exposed to air is not very conductive and can become pitted and uneven from the chemical reactions thus yielding a poor mating surface for a connector. Because it does not oxidize like most metals, gold can provide a reliable smooth surface that can make a good connection with the mated surface.

Gold is also good for extremely thin wires where losing even a small amount of cross-sectional area to oxidation can significantly lower the wires capacity.

MWS provides gold plated wire for the medical, electronic, aerospace and defense industries. We offer a complete range of gold plated wire including Type I, II and III purity deposits in both cobalt-hardened and soft gold purities.

Gold plated wire has excellent electrical conductivity, exceptional solderability and does not produce any surface oxide. Gold is a noble metal that does not chemically react under normal conditions. For this reason, gold plating is an excellent choice for numerous engineering requirements where electrical conductivity (particularly at low voltages), solderability and corrosion resistance are specification requirements.

MWS offers gold plated wire in both 99.7% cobalt-hardened gold and 99.9% pure soft gold electrodeposits. Hard gold plated wire is commonly used in applications where excessive friction or material wear are a design concern.

Soft gold plated wire is often used where the highest of gold purity is mandatory for soldering, bonding, exposure to high temperature or high corrosion resistance. Wire plated with soft gold provides an extremely pure deposit, which maintains the low hardness and high corrosion resistance characteristics required in demanding applications. Soft gold plating is frequently used in high temperature applications since gold does not oxidize.

The appearance of gold plating is very much a function of that of the bare wire. If the bare wire has a matte finish, the gold plating deposit will have more of a matte luster. If the bare wire has a bright finish, the gold plated wire will have a more lustrous appearance.