A new palladium alloy is able to mass produce electrical contacts as a substitute for gold with significant cost savings achieved.

Electroplating Engineers of Japan Limited will begin providing the PALLADEX PC200 palladium-cobalt alloy plating solution from tomorrow (November 9th), said parent firm Tanaka Holdings.

The palladium-cobalt alloy is suitable material for electronic components such as electrical contacts in mobile phones, PC batteries and SD cards.

Compared to using gold, precious metals costs can be reduced by around 90 per cent, Tanaka Holdings explained.

Abrasion resistance can be greatly improved as the alloy is up to six times harder than gold, the firm added.

"This palladium-cobalt alloy plating solution can be introduced to mass production because it offers a high yield and operating efficiency that were not possible with previous palladium-cobalt alloy plating solutions and enables the manufacture of electrical contact components with stable quality," Tanaka Holdings said in a statement.

Source:

Palladium Alloy Plating Solution is Able to Mass-Produce Electrical Contacts as a Substitute for Gold; Tanaka Precious Metals Begins to Provide on November 9 (08/11/11)

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