Traces of Silicon in Gold Plating [Michigan]

Debbie, Silica is the first contaminant that comes off of a DI column as it becomes exhausted - so perhaps the plating company was using bad DI water to replenish the gold bath.

Dear Debbie,

Yes, I heard of it....it could be from:

1. The degreasing, degreasers often contain silicates, especially the older formulas.

2. A surfactant.
There are surfactants used, either in the electrolytes or sometimes in the final rinsing steps, that could contain silicon.

3. Other possibility is a DI installation, nearby the regeneration point, which could already release silicon in the rinse-water (non-conductive, so no increase of conductivity yet.)

Easiest way to go is to contact the supplier of the parts and ask them (be willing to sign a NDA) if they use a cleaner with silicates, any surfactants containing Si anywhere in the process and what the trigger for regeneration of the DI installation is.
Sorry to say, but don't take a "no" for granted, sometimes people even don't know themselves.

But be also aware as that the fact that it's used, doesn't mean that it should be the source for your specific case.....as:

4. Silicon could be present in the base-material (e.g. in the simple form of sand-particles, or as silicon oxide, formed from Si present in the alloy. Many alloys contain purposefully Silicium) and on a Si-rich area you could have a pore after electroplating and these pores can have liquid spotting out.


Best regards,