The surface finish on a printed circuit board plays a significant role in its performance and functioning. There is a wide array of surface finishes for circuit boards. However, you need to know the one that suits your printed circuit board. The application requirements of your PCB will determine the type of surface finish to use. Examples of PCB surface finish options include Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold, Immersion silver, Immersion tin, HASL, and more.

Generally, gold is a good surface finish material for coating circuit boards. Flash gold is becoming more popular among PCB manufacturers because of the properties and benefits it offers. Let’s discuss more on flash gold PCB and its benefits.

What is Flash Gold PCB?

Flash gold is a thin gold plating used over electrolytic nickel. This gold is electrolytic and the panel is linked to a current and plating rectifier. The thickness of gold depends on the current density and time spent. If flash gold spends too much time in the bath, it will transform into a flash gold in the long run.

Flash gold is very easy to produce. This type of gold means rapid gold plating. The flash gold is a process of hard gold plating.  Large current is used in this process and the solution which has more gold content produces a dense gold plating layer on the nickel layer. This helps in enhancing subsequent electroplating of gold-cobalt alloy. According to some expert, it is possible to make a “gold-plated” circuit board, while PCB manufacturing time is shorter and the cost is less, rather than selling such “flash gold” PCBs in the market.

Flash gold PCB is cheaper than hard gold PCB since “flash gold” doesn’t involve the subsequent electroplating gold process. However, the gold layer of flash gold is very thin. The thin layer of flash gold won’t make it cover all the nickel layer. As a result, this can lead to oxidation after the printed circuit board have been stored for a long time. This will have an effect on solderability in the long run.

For many years, PCB manufacturers have been plating flash gold on PCBs. Immersion is the method of applying flash gold on PCBs.  A flash gold PCB is a circuit board in which flash gold is applied on the surface of the board.

Benefits of Flash Gold in PCBs

Flash gold is usually applied on the surface of a printed circuit board. This thin layer of gold is usually applied using heat. Although flash gold PCB isn’t as durable as other types of PCB plating like ENIG, it offers some benefits. Here are some main benefits of flash gold PCB plating

Versatility: Flash gold is ideal for use in different types of PCB. It is ideal for single layer, multilayer, and double layer boards. Also, this type of is a cheaper option and as such, it is highly preferable.

Corrosion resistance

Generally, gold is a corrosion resistance material. Flash gold is a good gold plating option for PCBs because this gold doesn’t corrode or tarnish over time. Therefore, it is an efficient and durable gold plating method.

Aesthetic appearance

One of the benefits of flash gold PCB is its aesthetic appearance. Flash gold offers aesthetic appeal and as such it is widely used in circuit boards.

Cost-effective

Another advantage of using flash gold for PCB plating is its cost-effectiveness. Applying flash gold on the surface of your printed circuit board a great way to cut cost. Flash gold is a recommended gold plating method for PCBs. It is a way PCB manufacturers can achieve that solid gold feel without spending too much

Customization

Flash gold PCB plating allows customization. This means you can customize this gold based on certain features. You can customize the color and thickness of this gold to suit your own needs and design.

Conclusion

Flash gold PCB is very easy to produce. This type of gold plating methods is rapid. The flash gold is a process of hard gold plating.  Large current is used in this process and the solution which has more gold content produces a dense gold plating layer on the nickel layer. This helps in enhancing subsequent electroplating of gold-cobalt alloy. According to some expert, it is possible to make a “gold-plated” circuit board, while PCB manufacturing time is shorter and the cost is less, rather than selling such “flash gold” PCBs in the market.

Integrating flash gold in circuit boards is a cost-effective plating method. Flash gold offers a lot of benefits. Also, it is a cost-effective gold plating option that features other benefits. Electroless gold has non-oxidation properties and has resistances to wear. Its high hardness also makes it an ideal option.