Current and future uses of gold in electronics

The applications for gold in electrical and electronic components are many and varied, and the quantity used is growing steadily especially with the growth in consumer electrical and electronic goods. This paper considers the various applications in the context of the physical and chemical properties of gold relative to other candidate materials. The question of reliability versus cost inevitably enters into the decision to use gold in a particular application, but the use of gold is widespread nevertheless, since it is often cost effective.