Umicore hard gold portfolio: New high-speed electrolyte

Auruna 8000 has been developed for use in high-speed systems and for brush applications. The electrolyte can easily handle the high current densities in this area of application and achieves deposition speeds of up to 8 µm/min. The resulting hard gold layers are characterized by a hardness of around 130 HV, a low-porosity and abrasion-resistant structure and a consistently low contact transfer resistance of less than 5 mΩ (test force 50 cN). The electrolyte meets the requirements of ASTM B 488 01: Type I, Code C. This makes it ideal for electrical contact surfaces and connectors that require permanently low contact resistance and high reliability. Like all gold-iron systems in the new Umicore range, Auruna 8000 also completely dispenses with the alloy partners cobalt and nickel. As a result, the hard gold process enables process substitution (S.T.O.P. principle in CMR substitute testing) and minimizes health risks in production. Companies benefit from lower regulatory costs and thus permanent cost savings while maintaining high process performance.

Umicore expands its hard gold portfolio

With Auruna 8000, Umicore is expanding its hard gold portfolio without replacing existing processes. Handling, process window and layer properties are - apart from the alloy composition - almost identical to existing electrolytes. This enables easy integration into existing process landscapes. Even companies that previously used competitor products on their high-speed systems can now immediately produce more sustainably without having to fundamentally change existing systems. "With Auruna 8000, we are providing our customers with a sustainable and high-performance alternative. While 8100 and 8400 remain important pillars of our portfolio, Auruna 8000 opens up new ways to combine economic efficiency, regulatory requirements and long-term sustainability goals," explains Benjamin Wieser, Head of Technical Precious Metals at Umicore MDS. With the introduction of Auruna 8000, Umicore's gold-iron product line is now available for all common electroplating processes - from rack and barrel processes to (selective) plating in coil lines.