
plating, anodizing, & finishing Q&As since 1989
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Good plating for battery contact for PCB pad
May 7, 2012
Q. Hi. I am looking for information regarding whether or not plating is required on 301 High Yield Stainless Steel battery contact that makes contact with a PCB pad made from Copper covered in tin-silver(hot air leveling or lead free solder. Is plating required and if so can you recommend a suitable plating to prevent galvanic corrosion between the two dissimilar metals?
thanks
- San Jose
A. Hi Deanna.
While there may be exceptions, I don't think galvanic corrosion is a serious issue for most PCB-to-battery-terminal situations. Electroless nickel is very widely used for low voltage battery terminals and would probably be fine.
Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
