Hi Matt - here are a some references which may be helpful:

"IPC -GH-850" Handbook of Interconnection Contact Finishes

"Connector Reliability in the Military Environment" , Stuart Koford,
Connection Technology, May 1989, pages 19-22

"Contact Materials for Electronic Connectors: a Survey of Current Practices
& Technology Trends in the USA", Morton Antler, Plating and Surface
Finishing, June 1991, pages 58-62.

The quick answer is that a tin/gold contact is a viable idea but has
several implementation (insertion force, number of insertions, etc.)  and
use environment issues that will need to be addressed. Good Luck.

Dave Hillman
Rockwell Collins
[log in to unmask]





Matthew Lamkin <[log in to unmask]> on 05/13/99
09:15:07 AM

Please respond to "TechNet E-Mail Forum." <[log in to unmask]>; Please respond
      to Matthew Lamkin <[log in to unmask]>

To:   [log in to unmask]
cc:    (bcc: David D Hillman/CedarRapids/Collins/Rockwell)
Subject:  [TN] Tin>Gold Versus Gold>Gold contacts?




HI there guys,
I wonder if someone could give me some basic metallurgy type advise.

I have laid out a board that has edge connector fingers on one side.
It is to plug into a connector that has some gold plated fingers on it.

I would like the PCB to have gold plating on the edge connectors &
others would like it to
be just HASL coated (as its far cheaper).

The question is... how well do gold plating & tin/lead plating fare?
Is this connection likely to corrode or will they exist in harmony ok.

Also will a very dry atmosphere cause any problems to these connections?

Thanks in advance - Matt
T.T.F.N

Matthew Lamkin
Printed Circuit Board Draughtsman
Protec Fire Detection PLC
Churchill Way,
Nelson, Lancs
BB9 6RT.
England U.K.
Tel 01282 717393
Fax 01282 717273
Email = [log in to unmask]

Company Web Site = http://www.protec-fire-detection.plc.uk

################################################################
TechNet E-Mail Forum provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c
################################################################
To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body:
To subscribe:   SUBSCRIBE TechNet <your full name>
To unsubscribe:   SIGNOFF TechNet
################################################################
Please visit IPC's web site (http://www.ipc.org) "On-Line Services" section for additional information.
For technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.312
################################################################

################################################################
TechNet E-Mail Forum provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c
################################################################
To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body:
To subscribe:   SUBSCRIBE TechNet <your full name>
To unsubscribe:   SIGNOFF TechNet 
################################################################
Please visit IPC's web site (http://www.ipc.org) "On-Line Services" section for additional information.
For technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.312
################################################################