EVALUATING PRECIOUS METAL ALLOYS FOR EDGEBOARD CONNECTORS.

Accelerated life tests were conducted to compare electroplated gold and various alloys of precious metals which have been inlaid on the base metal. The study of three different thicknesses of six precious metal alloys in a PC edgeboard connector focused on the electrical performance of the various combinations. Operational constraints, which may affect such performance, were maintained constant in order to separate the variables. Such constraints included wear, vibration, contact pressure and contact exposure.