In the electronics manufacturing industry, thick gold PCBs (PCBs) are the preferred choice for high-end electronic devices due to their excellent performance and reliability. They are particularly popular in aerospace, medical equipment, communications technology, and other fields for their exceptional durability and conductivity.

What is a thick gold PCB?

A thick gold PCB is a PCB surface coated with a thick layer of gold, typically achieved through chemical plating or electroplating. Compared to conventional gold PCBs, the gold plating on thick gold PCBs is thicker, typically ranging from 5 microinches (0.127μm) to 30 microinches (0.762μm). This design significantly improves PCB performance and reliability, making it particularly suitable for high-end devices that require frequent plugging and unplugging or long-term operation.

Advantages of Thick Gold PCBs

Excellent Conductivity

Gold has extremely low contact resistance and excellent conductivity. Thick gold PCBs provide stable signal transmission and minimize energy loss during current transmission, which is particularly important for high-speed signal and high-frequency applications.

Strong Oxidation and Corrosion Resistance

Gold is an inert metal and does not react with air or other chemicals. Thick gold PCBs maintain their electrical conductivity for extended periods in humid or harsh environments, preventing oxidation and corrosion.

Enhanced Solderability

The thick gold surface offers excellent solderability, significantly reducing the occurrence of cold or dry solder joints during soldering, improving soldering quality and reliability.

Higher Wear Resistance

The thick gold layer enhances PCB performance in environments subject to frequent plugging and unplugging, friction, or high mechanical stress, significantly extending the lifespan of PCBs in connectors or keyboard contacts.

Suitable for High-End Applications

Due to their high performance, thick gold PCBs are widely used in demanding applications such as:

Aerospace equipment

Medical devices (such as pacemakers)

Communication base stations

High-end consumer electronics (such as smartwatches and flagship smartphones)

Thick Gold PCB Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing process for thick gold PCBs requires highly precise technical support. The key steps are as follows:

Substrate Preparation

Select an appropriate PCB substrate (such as FR-4 or ceramic substrates), clean and treat the surface to ensure proper adhesion of the gold plating.

Pattern Transfer

The circuit pattern is printed onto the PCB surface using a photolithography process.

Electroless Nickel Plating

A layer of nickel (typically 150-200 microinches thick) is first plated on the copper foil surface. This nickel layer serves as a foundation for the gold layer, preventing copper diffusion and enhancing the adhesion of the gold layer.

Electroplated Gold

A layer of gold is electroplated on the nickel layer. The thickness of the gold layer can be adjusted to 5-30 microinches according to customer requirements. The plating time and current density are strictly controlled to ensure the uniformity and quality of the gold layer.

Post-Processing

Cleaning, drying, and surface testing are performed to ensure that the thickness and uniformity of the thick gold layer meet design requirements.

Quality Inspection

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is used to inspect the plating thickness, and conductivity and corrosion resistance tests are performed to ensure that thick gold PCBs meet international standards.

Why Choose Thick Gold PCBs?

For customers, thick gold PCBs are particularly competitive in the high-end market. They not only significantly extend the life of equipment but also enhance product performance and brand value. Furthermore, thick-gold PCBs help customers meet stringent industry regulations, such as ISO 13485 (medical devices) and MIL-PRF-55110 (military standards).

Thick-gold PCBs, with their superior performance and reliability, have become an indispensable component of the high-end electronics manufacturing industry. Whether it's industrial equipment operating in harsh environments or consumer electronics with demanding performance, thick-gold PCBs are a reliable choice.

If you're looking for a high-quality thick-gold PCB supplier, PCBAMake is the right choice. We have extensive experience and strict quality control to ensure our products meet your needs, helping you win more business opportunities in the international market!