gold plated brass or bronze rods ? (or silver) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2024, 07:21:35 am
content: I want gold plated brass or bronze or berylium copper rods of a diameter about 0.65 to 0.75mm that are heavily gold plated.Is there a source for this? I see shady chinese stuff (gold pins for jewelry). An official good source? I don't want to plate anything myself.It needs to be strait too. I have a bad feeling a becu spring would be difficult to turn into a strait rod

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2024, 09:57:57 am
content: Are you aware of the term, "gold-filled." It is distinct from ordinary plating. It is imprinted as GF on more expensive jewelry that is not solid gold. Search using that key word.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2024, 04:02:08 pm
content: How long are you looking for and what exactly are you trying to accomplish? Gold and silver have very different properties, are you looking for conductivity, solderability or corrosion resistance or what? The same question for the core; brass, bronze and beryllium copper all have quite different properties. Also how many of these rods are you looking for?And just so that you know; grinding and cutting beryllium is very hazardous. It's safe in it's solid form but small particles are a huge health hazard.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2024, 04:08:02 pm
content: for HV gaps, measurement, safety gaps eg Tesla Coil, gold is not needed.See "sphere Gap" design and construcyion.Jon

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2024, 04:13:11 pm
content: For things like that I would just copper or brass welding rod.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2024, 06:33:46 pm
content: @StrayYou want specifics in a coppercone2 thread?This is like an empty bottle floating in the Pacific. It may reach land eventually, but there is no and never was a message inside.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2024, 10:00:51 pm
content: they are useful for breadboards, component leads, sockets adapters, contacts, probes, etcit seems like something that should exist for jewelry reasons

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2024, 11:46:24 pm
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on May 27, 2024, 10:00:51 pmThey do, as already described. Use your fingers to "do the walking." Search on gold filled.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 12:09:25 am
content: I found this before. Etsy selling the same product that is on alibaba/aliexpressDoes anyone know a source that tells you the thickness of the layer, comes from a reputable manufacturer, etc. I assume you might get atomic thin gold flash from half of these guysI don't even trust that its brass, let alone that the gold is what it says it is.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 12:13:59 am
content: Are you trying to make PCB pins? I don't get it.https://www.mill-max.com/products/printed-circuit-board-pcb-pin/solder-mount-pcb-pin/5170https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804535071310.html

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 12:21:35 am
content: sure that can be one application, all those ready made things are too short and have the wrong dimensions.. Cutting the leads off wire wrap things seemed like the closest thing but the dimensions are wrong, so I would rather just use plain brass rod without the platings

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 01:43:46 am
content: I have a feeling I will need to get equipment needed to verify gold if I wanna go down this road, it all looks really sketchy with no assurances at all

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 05:17:31 am
content: the first application of this will be to make a through hole BAT54 diode with good leads that are not cannibalized from components

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 06:05:53 am
content: A Mercedes restoration expert freind was doing gold plating, had him make a number of flat copper for calibration of SMD VNA, Impedance .Your only sure way to get true gold plating is DIY, iti is not that hard.Use Electrolytic or chemical from supply houses.like FischerExpect high cost and restrictions on shippingJon

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 06:36:29 am
content: I will just use koolamp silver instead of gold because I can scrub it on carefully, I don't want to do electroplating. it works OK on brass, just thin. but i can touch it up if necessary. For breadboards etc hopefully a thin layer of deoxit grease will keep friction low enough to keep the plating intactI bought brass rods already because trying to find gold gave me a stomach acheWhich reminds me, I thnk ima clean my breadboard in the ultrasonic cleaner. its been since never. Then hopefully I can get this prototype done neatly the the minimum of dread bug soldering and make a new PCB

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 06:49:05 am
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on May 27, 2024, 10:00:51 pmIt's barely useful for any of that. Not useful for probes because you'll need to grind the pointy end so it will no longer be gold plated. Nearly useless for component leads because thick gold plating embrittles solder joints. "For breadboards" makes no sense whatsoever.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 08:10:28 pm
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on May 28, 2024, 05:17:31 amWhat?https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/sparkfun-electronics/BOB-00717/5318740https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006944606669.html

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 08:37:47 pm
content: yeah so it has good leadsinstead of cannibalizing resistor leads or using flimsy wire or like some people flimsy resistor leadswhen I buy a transistor is had 3x gold plated long leads. like 5cm. when i wanna make them people are up in arms for some reason.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 08:56:56 pm
content: You can just use regular gold 0.1" pin headers for this purpose. Square or round, I assume square would be better..

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 09:02:14 pm
content: their not long enough and often too thick. those are square, 0.81mm, and 1 inch max, and also incredibly inflexible. I want it more formable

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 11:54:16 pm
content: Maybethis wiremeet the mentioned requirements, except it's 0.01mm thinner at 0.64mm.It's 'beadalon silver-filled CDA220' wire, which apparently has 10% weight silver outer, and the core is CDA220 which seems to be a type of brass or bronze, and is 'half hard' so not super-flexible like copper core.They also have a non-CDA220 variant that is softer, with (presumably) copper core.It's not overly expensive, but not low-cost. Silver will tarnish too. Personally I use a reel of bare tinned copper wire for short wire links etc.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2024, 11:58:21 pm
content: oh hell yeah that saves me alot of work. I already bought the brass and I have kool amp but maybe I will buy some. It has alot thicker silver platingI wonder how well it straitens out.But buying silver metal... even the fucking welding supplier (airgas or some shit) ripped me off on brazing rod. I bought it from them after the amazon one turned out to be shitty, then they mailed me 1/2 of my invoice.

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2024, 12:13:05 am
content: I've bought copper-core (not BeCu) silver-clad wire in the past, (not Beadalon brand), and unfortunately is thicker so I can't estimate for sure how flexible a 0.64mm version of it may be : ( Hard to know whether the CDA220 or copper-core would be preferred.EDIT: the web page mentions the half-hard variety is suited for wire-wrap (around jewelry items) so at least it's not springy!

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2024, 12:20:30 am
content: What I like about the silver is I can cut it on carbide, lap it a bit on a diamond file and then I should be able to see the thickness of silver under a microscope. gold im not so sure about

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2024, 12:48:50 am
content: actually I found a local supplier of gold wire.The thing is, its 14k filled.does 14k gold have the correct electrical properties? I always read about connectors having 24k. But I assume 14k is substantially harder, so more wear resistant.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2024, 01:01:13 am
content: Actually I think the filled process can't have more then 14k. I can't find anything but 14k anywhere.im just gonna buy it from this guy. I realized I can do a measurement with two samples in the breadboard to see whats up. I forgot you could measure it late. The french and american standard looks like 1/20th. i wonder if its chinese gold fill standard (1/200)

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2024, 08:36:29 am
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on May 28, 2024, 08:37:47 pmOh, the drama. I've never found that necessary to do, but understand your aversion to cannibalism. It can lead to Kuru.Quote from: coppercone2No one has said you can't make them. Go ahead and do it.Quote from: coppertone2Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. The process is fine for 24 carat gold.You seem to be wandering and have yet to say why you want 24ct gold and what specific electrical properties that provides that are necessary for a diode or any project you are currently doing.

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2024, 10:32:20 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on May 28, 2024, 08:56:56 pmHelloI agree that far easier to use existing pin from header , surplus connector made by well know companies ( not made in .... cheapo ) there is plently on Ebay and other website.... DIY gold plating is just unrealistic as that complex and costly both for surface preparation / coating / control .....14 Carat ''gold'' is not gold that an alloy of copper to produce shinny low cost jewellery but that not corrosion proof at all .That could be be far more easier if you can describe the exact purpose of your '' coppercone '' projectRegardsOS

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2024, 01:35:10 am
content: where did you find this wire that is more then 14/20 (karat weight) filled with gold?You can find 24 k plated, I see nothing about 24k filled. It's some kind of mechanical process. You can find 18/30 as the next best 'filled' wire, theoretically. I assume that by the time they get to 24 the proportion of % would be so low it might a well be platedmaybe DIY plating 24k over 14k filled wire would be the best bet to get the best wire

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2024, 05:06:19 am
content: HelloGold wire are available from supplier for jewellery and mostly use for gold chain manufacturing14 carats even 18 carats for electronic purpose is just a joke24 carats in fact 99.99 Gold wire are available from various source as Johnson Mattey . Merck and also electronic companies depend how much you want o purchase , most of these companies don t deal with '' hobby maker ''that not gold filled than an alloy , gold plated jewellery wire is not produced with know electrical properties as that not the purpose of this type of wireRegardsOS

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2024, 05:46:18 am
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on May 29, 2024, 12:20:30 amHello/ lap silver with diamond filesilver is soft any basic HSS tool works and abrasive paper as 3M polishing paper work and that same for all wire except hard steel or tungsten wireSince the beginning we still dont know for is the planned purpose of your ''wire'' not include the hardness as wire for wring and wire for pins have not at all that same hardness and the same straighness up to the same tensile valueRegardsOS

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2024, 06:13:48 am
content: well fine diamond is all i have on hand im not buying something specific it seems to work on everything, i think it will be fine to expose the cross section. Its in many thousands of grit. not buying special sand paper to polish the cut wire. it should look like a cut in half orangeI don't get what your saying, you can get plated or filled 24k 99.999 percent gold on bronze wire? I don't want solid gold wire. I want it on bronze or brass core. I can get solid pure gold wire but thats not what I want.Right now I gota) 20AWG yellow brass (which I silver plated with kool amp)b) 20AWG phosphor bronze (i dunno if kool amp will take to bronze to silver plate it, will try)c) 20AWG berylium copper, silver plated from manufacturerd) 20AWG gold filled brass from jewlery supplier (14 karat)I will see which one I like the best.I can also check red brass

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2024, 07:24:54 am
content: Helloim not buying something specific it seems to work on everythingI repeatdiamond abrassive are used for hard material and not at all material including for soft materialsoft material will '' glue'' on diamond abrassiveSeems to work ...as use as wire incore to conduct electricity in an electronic circuit ......not included or avoided the metallurgical structure of an anneal material to a cold draw materialSilver plated copper wire even pure silver can be purchased from military surplus store for few USD per meter with proven quality and not DIY quality in the garage .I make silver plating for electronic contact are clearly that a HELL process for small batches IF there is real quality requirement as surface morphology ( SEM microscop ) hardeness , surface porosity ....''I like the best''' is .....as the useRegardsOS

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2024, 07:34:34 am
content: buddy its over rated that the diamond will clog I have been using this thing for a LONG time on soft stuff like copper (i.e. flatten after brazing with silver). so long its oiled well it seems to workI did a bunch of copper, brass, aluminum on it in the last 5 years and last month I sharpened about 20 knives to razor sharp on the same blockits paranoia about the diamonds getting broken, even by totally soft copper. relaxthe only thing I have seen it fuck up is like stone wheels. it really digs into the stone if its motorized. by hand i would say soft metal don't do shit to it, and it cleans just fine in the ultrasonic bathand it don't rust. i heard too much crazy bullshit about these diamond plates (do carpenters just make this up?), just make sure its oiled. the internet seems to think diamond plate will catch on fire in a thermite explosion LOL

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2024, 11:34:39 am
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on May 30, 2024, 07:34:34 amHelloYou seems to have an incredible machining and material knowledge so I will stop to lost my time to try to explain you what is the realityGood luck with your '''' cheapo projectRegardsOS

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2024, 05:16:35 am
content: the 14k gold filled wires are great for a bread board, it slides in very smooth and while formable, its stiff enough to make a "plug in" component that you don't need to worry about bending the leads after its installed. I would highly recommend it for adapters. soldering it in circuit (because its thick gold) might not be a great idea but its really good for prototyping, unless you strip the gold from the soldered area. I can touch up my PCB adapter if the joint cracks easily so its non issue therenylon jaw pliers are good for forming the leads to have a perfect fit. the golden wire is highly polished and feels dead smooth to install, I got the half hard versionthe resistance is about 20 miliohms (kelvin) for 20 cm (1/2 that of the yellow brass that I silver plated, which was 0.04 / 20cm). The brass 'structural' rods I guess are worked yellow brass, which has substantial resistance.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 01, 2024, 05:56:04 am
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on June 01, 2024, 05:16:35 amNow tell what it has to do with gold.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2024, 05:56:59 am
content: oh go pull some wire out of a printer or something

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2024, 08:03:42 am
content: Now tell what it has to do with gold.HelloGood question .... I am eager to read the answer , I just go to the supermarket to purchase beer and popcorn .RegardsOS

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2024, 05:14:00 am
content: compared the gold filled wire to nugold wire (red brass alloy).To the eye it looks similar, but the actual gold wire is a better reflector. The price is much lower. The conductivity is fine for nugold.However, I feel that the gold filled wire inserts better into the breadboard

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2024, 07:46:27 am
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on June 03, 2024, 05:14:00 amHelloNugold is not corrosion proof at all and sensible to human sweat and finger contact as Nugold is a copper alloy , shiny is justNugold even if that cheaper than 99.99 Gold metal , is costly see attachement .... 30 USD per inch for 16 Gauge wire ...... compare to 3 USD average cost for surplus aerospace quality copper / silver coated wire .....In this thread you write that you are '' stingy '' as you reject to use the right abrassive or HSS tools and want to use diamond tools for every thing because ...... but you are ready to pay 1200 USD ( 40 inch ) of nugold rather than 3 or 5 USD for regular available copper wire silver coated AND for breadboard use ....I will purchase more pop cornRegardsOS

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 04, 2024, 08:11:41 am
content: Quote from: Overspeed on June 04, 2024, 07:46:27 amNu Gold does not cost nearly as much.https://contenti.com/round-nu-gold-jeweler-s-bronze-wireStill using it in electronics instead of normal copper wire is insane even if you got it for free.

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2024, 11:18:42 am
content: HelloNu Gold does not cost nearly as much.https://contenti.com/round-nu-gold-jeweler-s-bronze-wireStill using it in electronics instead of normal copper wire is insane even if you got it for free.HelloFrom my understanding Nugold is 14 gold so not bronze wire plated with gold , the screen print I have linked is 30 USD for one inch of 16 gauge wire !!!!Gold plating have several processes ( electro deposition , PVD .. ) and all are not the same from direct plating to plating on nickelMorphology of the plated surface and surface covering is also a concern but also hardness and thickness is that for mechanical contact purpose .Use any '' solid gold '' or gold plated wire for just breadboard is just??as breadboard circuit are just prototypes and do not solve track resistance , ground plane and other mandatory parameters linked to PCB .another ''shiny'' but efficient solution is to use platinum wire .RegardsOS

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 04, 2024, 12:22:31 pm
content: ^your screenshot is for real 14k (583/585) gold. Nu Gold is just copper-zinc brass. Some similar alloys may also contain aluminum AFAIK.

author: Overspeed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2024, 04:41:32 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on June 04, 2024, 12:22:31 pmHelloYes that for 14 carats that '' gold alloy '' but even for jewellery that a poor choice as that tarnish very quicklyFor other product s gold plated brass / bronze that not at design or able to be use a electrical conductor as there is no specification on the plating except the thickness ( without any real quality control for most of them .Shiny is not a valid technical criteria , for serious purpose there is solution as rhodium plated copper wire . silver plated , nickel plated .... even pure silver wire that available at affordable price from mil surplus companies .I use thermocouple platinum / Gold for my lab ..never think a single minute to use hundred USD wire value on a breadboard , just ridiculous ideaRegardsOS

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 04, 2024, 08:40:57 pm
content: 14K is OK as tarnishing goes, 10k sucks. 18k while has better appearance and basically does not tarnish, is quite a bit softer, so less durable. None of that is or makes sense for electronics though.