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Q&As since 1989


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Can acetone be used on gold plated contacts?

2007

We are contemplating removing a sealing adhesive from a connector that we use in one of our products with acetone [on eBay or Amazon]. We know the acetone removes the adhesive but don't know if the acetone will attack the gold plating on the connector contacts. Short term/Long term?

Thanks,

Steve Adkins
Mechanical Engineer - Sanford, Florida, USA

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Acetone will not attack gold - the only thing that does is aqua regia. However, it may attack the plastics used in the connector assembly

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2007

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2007

Acetone looks like an impressive solvent.
BUT
It is highly flammable.
It evaporates so fast that it re-deposits much of what it removed.
MEK / methyl ethyl ketone is better or use one of the new citrous based solvents.

Just for the record; aqua regia is not the only chemical to attack gold but you are unlikely to come across them

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England