To evaluate the quality of gold plating on coaxial connectors

the wear resistance of gold plating must be tested because the base materials of connectors would be exposed and corroded during applications if the gold plating were worn out

which would lead to contact failure.The surface hardness of contacts on connectors and the thickness change of gold plating before and after mating can be taken as the references for wear resistance ability of gold plating.Single gas (sulfur dioxide) accelerated corrosion joint with the optical microscope and the scanning electronic microscope can disclose the characteristic points where the gold plating are worn out.This is a good method to evaluate wear resistance ability of gold plating on coaxial connectors.