Comparison of Hard Au versus Hard Au Flashed PdNi as a Contact Finish

This work addresses the comparison of hard Au versus hard Au flashed PdNi contact finishes. Extensive qualification and re-qualification data are available, but this testing varies greatly and by definition is designed to 'pass' or fail' a connector design. Since this type of testing does not specifically compare variations in finish parameters, the ability to directly compare such data sets relative to finish performance is limited. In addition, PdNi high speed plating chemistries have evolved since the 1980s when they were first developed and qualified in response to increases in gold metal prices. Therefore, the testing was done to provide product level data comparing the two gold based finishes. To specifically compare finish performance, as opposed to connector performance; using current industry accepted testing conditions and finish variations. To better understand the contact performance implications of interchanging these two gold based finished.