Extensive guide to determine most advantageous RF connector plating

As leading suppliers of radio frequency (RF) and optical connectivity components for telecommunications, space and defence and test and measurement applications, HUBER+SUHNER and Rosenberger worked closely together to create this white paper.

Outdoor RF connectors require exceptional corrosion resistance in order to fulfil stringent mechanical and electrical requirements in
extreme environmental conditions. With increasing performance demands on connectors, plating is key to withstanding stress and exposure in these harsh environments.

The white paper – entitled ‘720hrs Salt Spray Corrosion Resistance Plating for RF Connectors’ – investigates and evaluates the performance characteristics of plating types and is the first extensive reference
guide in the industry for choosing the most resilient plating.

With many plating options available on the market for RF connectors, HUBER+SUHNER and Rosenberger produced this guide to provide a detailed comparison of advantages and disadvantages of optional plating to find out which provides optimum corrosion resistance. The white paper
investigates the performance qualities of the most popular RF connector plating types including silver, white bronze, SURO720, tin-nickel and electroless nickel-phosphorus.

Under a 720hrs salt spray test, the performance of the plating was tested in contact resistance, wearability, ductility, solderability and for passive intermodulation properties. The tests provided varied results with
some plating showing best results for contact resistance and others performing best in wear resistance. The results from the white paper provide the industry with a comprehensive guide of recommendations for the best plating performances in various applications based on technical and economic requirements.

To discover the full results of the white paper please visit: https://literature.hubersuhner.com/Technologies/Radiofrequency/white-paper-salt-spray-en/