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Pitting problem in Gold plating

December 16, 2009

Hello!

We gold plated a set of parts for our customer and noticed pitting in some parts during QC inspection. Initially we thought that the pitting might be due to the base metal. However, our QC inspection after plating with Nickel did not show any pitting. It was only after plating with gold that the pitting was visible. We ran a coupon in the lab with the gold solution we used for the big parts, and that did not have any pitting either. I am curious to know what are the probable causes of pitting in gold plated parts. Could someone help me here?!

Thanks!
PI

Priya Sehgal
engineer - California

Priya,
I haven't seen where pitting can occur from a gold solution being out of spec. What can cause it is insoluble particulate matter left on the nickel plate (salts) or particulates adhering to the surface at the inception of the gold plating. I would check your filtration for Ni and Au, and be sure the acid dips and rinses are clean and free of any debris.

Mark Baker
Fellow Plater - Syracuse, NY USA
December 17, 2009

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