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Gold plating on TiN?, What process to activate the TiN for gold plating?

2007

We are the Imitation jewellery manufacturer. We employ PVD equipment for decorative coating application. We do Nickel plating on Brass material and Titanium, Titanium Nitride, Gold coating by PVD process.

We would like to know about gold coating by Electroplating on Titanium Nitide substrate so that the Gold coating by PVD process can be avoided.

Request your expert advise on Gold plating on Titanium Nitride coated substrate instead of sputtering technique.

Thanks and Best Regards,

BALAJI.T
Plating shop employee - Mumbai, Maharastra, India

We are doing Titanium nitride through PVD process using vaccum machine.We want to plate gold by electro plating method over this Titanium Nitride coating.Is there any possibilities?

Antony Assisi
plating industry - Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
2007

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Titanium Nitride has an electrical resistivity of about 25 ohm-cm, so it is nowhere near the conductivity of most metals. To make it conductive enough for a substrate for electrodeposition, the conductivity needs to be increased. Since you have PVD technology available, it is probably best to use this to deposit a layer of gold on top of the TiN. This will require the usual pretreatments by plasma discharge prior to gold coating. However, if you want to use conventional electroless gold, the TiN will need to be thoroughly prepared as if it were a non-conducting surface, so alkaline and acid dips followed by any suitable activation that may be required. Chemical processes should always be discussed with your chemical supply house to ensure process optimisation

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