Gold electroplating is a method for placing a thin coating, or layer, of gold onto the surface of another metal object. The gold electroplating process involves electrodeposition, in which an electric current is passed through a liquid electrolyte solution containing dissolved gold ions and other
chemicals. This causes the ions to adhere to the surface of the object, resulting in the formation of a protective gold coating.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ELECTROPLATING WITH GOLD?
Gold contains a number of unique properties that make it ideally suited for numerous plating processes. Plating with gold also offers a host of valuable
functional benefits for industrial manufacturers including:
- Preventing corrosion: Gold is the least reactive of all the metals. A
gold coating will enhance the workpiece's ability to resist corrosion,
which increases the product's longevity and lengthens the time until a
replacement is required.
- Promoting electrical conductivity: A lesser-known aspect of gold is
its natural ability to conduct electricity, which makes it a good choice
for many electronics manufacturing applications.
- Increasing wear resistance: Gold will improve the durability of a
product by increasing its resistance to normal wear and tear, which is
an important characteristic in heavy-use environments.
- Protecting against extreme heat: Gold plating can create a "heat
shield" that will safeguard the substrate against damage caused by
exposure to elevated temperatures.