Steve,
No. The main reason it is there is to keep copper and gold from diffusing
into each other and leading to copper on the surface where it would oxidize
and be unsolderable.  IF your boards are not going to sit on the shelf for
long then you MAY be able to go with gold over copper.

Regards,
Bev Christian

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Steve Smith
Sent: January 27, 2020 5:32 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Is Nickel really needed under the gold plating on copper?

Hi All,

I was asked today if nickel is really needed under the gold for plating on
copper. I have understood it that the layer of nickel provides a mechanical
backing for the gold layer and that it was also needed for the soldering
process. Is this correct and is it the only reason it is used?


My regards,

Steve Smith
Design Drafting Group Manager
Staco Energy Products

O: 937.253.1191 x158 | F: 937.253.1723
website<http://www.stacoenergy.com/company/corporate-profile.html?utm_source
=signature&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=website> |
map<http://www.stacoenergy.com/corporate-headquarters.html?utm_source=signat
ure&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=map> |
LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/company/staco-energy?trk=ppro_cprof>


[cid:Healthcare-1908_840361ac-17f2-4e80-b79c-638c2e56eb87.png]<http://www.st
acoenergy.com/products-solutions/industries/healthcare.html?utm_source=signa
ture&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=healthcare><http://www.stacoenergy.com/se
rvices/service-offerings.html?utm_source=signature&utm_medium=email&utm_camp
aign=Promo_Service-1903>
How are we doing? Take our survey<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XHK8G93>.