In high-reliability electronics, even the smallest components can make or break a product. One such component is the touch spring—a tiny part that plays a critical role in ensuring reliable contact between the PCB and its mating surface. When designed and processed correctly, touch springs offer consistent performance even in harsh operating environments.
Recently, we helped a customer overcome a major challenge with SMD touch springs during product development.
The Challenge: Poor Solderability and High Contact Resistance
The customer initially used nickel-plated touch springs in tape-and-reel packaging for their surface-mount application. However, during thermal and electrical testing, the components failed to meet the expected performance. The issue? Weak solder joints and unstable electrical connections.
Here’s what the customer shared:
“To ensure the reliability and optimal performance of our product, it’s crucial that the SMD touch spring maintains contact resistance below 5.0 ohms, even across a temperature range from -10°C to 200°C. Long-term spring force stability is also essential, as the component will undergo thousands of thermal cycles.”
Our Solution: Switch to Gold-Plated Touch Springs
After reviewing the application and testing data, we proposed switching to gold-plated touch springs. The benefits were immediate and measurable:
✅ Improved Solderability
Gold plating creates a clean, oxide-free surface that easily bonds with solder, resulting in stronger, more consistent joints.
✅ Lower Contact Resistance
Gold’s excellent conductivity helped the springs maintain low resistance between the PCB and mating component—crucial for signal integrity.
✅ Long-Term Stability
Even after thousands of thermal cycles, the gold-plated touch springs maintained their elasticity and contact performance.
✅ Corrosion Resistance
In humid or extreme environments, gold plating provides better protection than nickel, extending the lifespan of the spring.
After testing the updated samples, the customer confirmed that the gold-plated SMD touch springs met all performance criteria and proceeded to pilot production with confidence.
A Note on Gold Plating Costs
📌 Important Update: Due to recent increases in global gold prices, the cost of gold plating has slightly risen. While this may affect unit pricing, it’s a smart investment for applications where reliability and long-term performance are critical.
Conclusion
This case highlights the importance of material choice and surface treatment in touch spring design. At Hootai, we provide tailored manufacturing and finishing solutions for custom touch springs, helping our clients overcome challenges related to soldering, conductivity, and mechanical performance.