Gold in Electronic Industries

 The Indispensable Role of Gold in Electronic Industries

 

Gold in Electronic Industries Gold is a sought-after metal with very interesting properties. We often think that gold is the main attraction for investors and gold coin collectors. Gold jewelry is very popular all over the world, especially in Asia. However, the greatest demand for gold comes from industry.

Although gold is used in various industries for manufacturing purposes, gold has some properties that make it particularly attractive to the electronics industry.Gold is one of the most conductive metals in the world. It is also very malleable and can therefore be applied to surfaces. Gold is also very malleable and a small amount of gold can be stretched into strands several meters long. For this reason, the electronics industry has a huge appetite for gold.

 

Electronics processes gold is used

Perhaps one of the largest uses of gold in the electronics industry is the plating of connectors and contacts. Semiconductor packaging also uses gold connecting wires, while many other processes also use gold. These include hybrid circuits, printed circuit boards and associated coatings and solders, contact points for electronic components, and metal layers on semiconductors, which can often be used as conductor tracks and contact points.

Gold has become the metal of choice for connectors and contacts due to its corrosion resistance and high electrical conductivity. It is particularly preferred in low voltage, low current and low pressure applications.Gold is often plated with nickel, and when a device or circuit must operate in a harsh environment, the thickness of the gold is often increased. This could include application in the field of automotive electronics, where electric vehicles need to be driven all year round and at different times of the year.

See more:Extracting Gold from Telephone Boards

How much gold is in the iPhone?

A typical iPhone also contains fewer precious metals such as aluminum (25 g) and copper (about 15 g). But before you start searching your iPhone for precious metals, remember that it's not much. At current prices, the average amount of gold contained in an iPhone is worth just under $2. Like the iPhone,
smartphones contain traces of precious metals.According to BBC News and 911 Metalurgist, a typical iPhone has the following:

1. 0.034 grams (g) gold
2. silver 0.34 g e
3. 0.015g palladium.

A typical iPhone also contains fewer precious metals such as aluminum (25 g) and copper (about 15 g).But before you start searching your iPhone for precious metals, remember that it's not much. At current prices, the average amount of gold contained in an iPhone is worth just under $2.

The small amounts of precious metals used in smartphones actually pose a challenge. For what? 

BBC News reports that around two billion smartphone users worldwide typically change their phone every 11 months.

Old telephones are then thrown away and generally not recycled. According to CNet, only about 10% of smartphones are recycled in the United States each year.

The Conductive Excellence of Gold

Gold's exceptional conductivity lies at the heart of its utilization in electronics. Unlike other metals, gold boasts unparalleled conductivity levels, enabling efficient transmission of signals and electricity in microelectronics. This section explores how this conductivity contributes to the performance and reliability of electronic components.

More:The Gleaming Legacy of Italian Gold

Corrosion Resistance and Longevity

One of the lesser-known but crucial attributes of gold in electronics is its resistance to corrosion. Detail how this resistance ensures the longevity and reliability of electronic devices, particularly in environments prone to moisture and other corrosive elements.

Gold in Connectors and Contacts

Discuss the specific applications of gold in connectors and contacts within electronic devices. Highlight the reasons behind the preference for gold-plated connectors, citing examples from industries like telecommunications, aerospace, and healthcare where reliability is paramount.

Challenges and Alternatives:

While gold remains irreplaceable in certain electronic applications, emerging technologies and research seek alternatives to mitigate cost and environmental impact. Discuss ongoing efforts to find substitutes or reduce gold usage without compromising performance.

World Gold