ASTM B735-06(2011)

Gold coatings are often specified for the contacts of separable electrical connectors and other devices. Electrodeposits are the form of gold that is most used on contacts, although it is also employed as clad metal and as weldments on the contact surface. The intrinsic nobility of gold enables it to resist the formation of insulating oxide films that could interfere with reliable contact operation.

In order that the nobility of gold be assured, porosity, cracks, and other defects in the coating that expose base-metal substrates and underplates must be minimal or absent, except in those cases where it is feasible to use the contacts in structures that shield the surface from the environment or where corrosion inhibiting surface treatments for the deposit are employed. The level of porosity in the coating that may be tolerable depends on the severity of the environment to the underplate or substrate, design factors for the contact device like the force with which it is mated, circuit parameters, and the reliability of contact operation that it is necessary to maintain. Also, when present, the location of pores on the surface is important. If the pores are few in number and are outside of the zone of contact of the mating surfaces, their presence can often be tolerated.

Methods for determining pores on a contact surface are most suitable if they enable their precise location and numbers to be determined. Contact surfaces are often curved or irregular in shape, and testing methods should be suitable for them. In addition, the severity of porosity-determining tests may vary. This test method is regarded as severe.

The relationship of porosity levels revealed by particular tests to contact behavior must be made by the user of these tests through practical experience or by judgement. Thus, absence of porosity in the coating may be a requirement for some applications, while a few pores on the critical surfaces may be acceptable for another. Such acceptance (or pass-fail) criteria should be part of the product specification for the particular product or part requiring the porosity test.

This test method is highly sensitive and is capable of detecting virtually all porosity or other defects in gold coatings that could participate in substrate corrosion reactions. The test is rapid, simple, and inexpensive. In addition, it can be used on contacts having complex geometry such as pin-socket contacts. However, it is preferred that deeply recessed sockets be opened to expose their critical surfaces prior to testing.

This test method is considered destructive in that it reveals the presence of porosity by contaminating the surface with corrosion products and by undercutting the coating at pore sites or at the boundaries of unplated areas. Any parts exposed to these tests shall not be placed in service.

This test method is intended to be used for quantitative descriptions of porosity (such as number of pores per unit area or per contact) only on coatings that have a pore density sufficiently low that the corrosion sites are well separated and can be readily resolved. As a general guideline this can be achieved for pore densities up to about 100/cm² or per 100 contacts. Above this value the tests are useful for the qualitative detection and comparisons of porosity.

1.1 This test method covers equipment and procedures for using nitric acid vapor for determining porosity in gold coatings, greater than 0.6 μm (25 μin.) in thickness, particularly electrodeposits and clad metals used on electrical contacts.

1.2 This test method is designed to show whether the porosity level is less or greater than some value that, by experience, is considered by the user to be acceptable for the intended application.

1.3 A variety of other porosity testing methods are described in Guide B765 and in the literature. ^, Other porosity test methods are Test Methods B741, B798, B799, and B809.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to become familiar with all hazards including those identified in the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for this product/material as provided by the manufacturer, to establish appropriate safety and health practices, and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautions are given in Section 8 and 9.4.