Advantages of Nickel-Plated Contacts

• Cost-Effectiveness

  While Nickel is not as conductive as gold or silver, Nickel-plated contacts are a much cheaper alternative if budget is a priority.



• High Corrosion Resistance

  Before electroplating became more practical for manufacturers, most connectors used brass contacts which were corrosive. When technological advances made electroplating more feasible, nickel became the most popular choice because it is corrosion-resistant.



• Wear Resistance

  Nickel-plating can help prevent wear on high-use components by reducing friction.

Disadvantages of Nickel-Plated Contacts

• Lower Conductivity

  Nickel's primary drawback is that while it's cheap and corrosion-resistant, it has poor conductivity when compared to other options. At 25% the conductivity of copper, mating connections will have slight electrical resistances, resulting in mild signal loss in the connection.



• Solderability and Weldability

  Nickel can form a thin layer of nickel-oxide that must be removed before it can be soldered or welded.

Advantages of Silver-Plated Contacts

• High Conductivity

  The main advantage of silver-plated contacts is conductivity. Silver is 6% more conductive than copper and is the only pure metal that is more conductive than copper.

Disadvantages of Silver-Plated Contacts

• Low Corrosion Resistance

  Silver plated contacts are subject to corrosion if operating in unfavorable weather conditions. If This connector will be in use primarily outdoors, silver is probably not your best option. Silver is also a more expensive choice than nickel.

Advantages of Gold-Plated Contacts

• High Corrosion Resistance

  Gold-plated contacts, like nickel-plated contacts, are not subject to the corrosion that brass contacts and silver-plated contacts suffer from. For humid or otherwise harsh environments, this is a big advantage.

• Conductivity

  While not as conductive as silver, gold's conductivity is 73.4% that of copper which is much better than nickel.

Disadvantages of Gold-Plated Contacts

• Cost

  The main disadvantage of Gold Contacts is price. They are more expensive than nickel and silver-plated contacts, but if your connector will be facing the elements and you want to avoid the signal loss of nickel-plated contacts, gold is your best bet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Use Nickel Plated Connectors?

Nickel-plated contacts are used most commonly when corrosion resistance is a priority and price is a concern.

Why Use Silver Plated Connectors?

Silver-plated contacts are used in certain situations where corrosion is not a concern and conductivity is of utmost importance.

Why Use Gold Plated Connectors?

Gold-plated contacts are used in scenarios where corrosion resistance is a primary concern over cost.

Is Gold Plating Better than Silver?

In most scenarios, gold is superior as a contact plating, due to its resistance to corrosion and relatively high conductivity. However silver's conductivity is even higher, which may be necessary for some applications.