Joe -
     
     The amount of porosity of a gold plating finish relates directly to 
     the corrosion and solderability properties of the gold fingers. 
     Everything is dependent of your use environment- the more moisture, 
     the more problems you will encounter as the porosity size/number 
     increases. I assume that the porosity level will affect the wearout 
     mechanisms also but have had very little experience in that area. 
     Check out ASM handbook "Corrosion" Volume 13, ISBN 0-87170-007-7, the 
     chapter on Corrosion of Noble Metals pages 793-807 plus the chapter 
     references for some additional info.
     
     Dave Hillman
     Rockwell Collins
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______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: gold finger porosity requirements
Author:  [log in to unmask] at ccmgw1
Date:    6/6/96 8:55 AM


Can any one educate me on Porosity requirements for gold fingers?
     
BELLCORE TR-NWT-000078 14.2.2.2 Table 22 calls out ranges of 
acceptable Pore counts for given gold thicknesses. My question is 
what is the purpose of pore requirements? Is the implication that if 
the gold is to porous it is more susceptible to wear out and/or 
corrosion? Any help would be appreciated.
     
Thank you
     
Joe Pudlo