Art:10 1007/BF03214611 PDF
Art:10 1007/BF03214611 PDF
Art:10 1007/BF03214611 PDF
0.052
0.06
0.07-0.08
*Determlne
d with a Northrop Model 205 recording diffuse reflectometer and a Model 13.4
without decomposition. Universal spectrophotometer.
Thin, and therefore lightweight,
liquid gold coatings are ideal to reduce
heat transmission on aircraft engine shrouds, drag parachute Measurements of the total emissivity at different
containers, tailcone assemblies, blast shields, ducts and temperatures of gold films obtained by the application of
tubing. Similarly, use is made of liquid golds to protect heat- liquid preparations on various substrates have shown this
sensitive parts in space vehicles from solar radiation. indeed to be the case (Table II).
The effectiveness of gold for temperature control sternsThe full benefit of this important property of gold is
from its high reflectivity of radiation in the wavelength range obtained by applying sufficient gold on the substrate to
of 0.2 to 15 pm (Table I), and its very low emissivity value of develop fired films of thickness 100 to 125 nm. This requires
0.05. Compared to a perfect black body having an emissivity approximately 20 g of liquid gold to cover 1 mz of area at a
value of 1,0, one can theoretically expect a gold film to material cost of about U.S.$40.
radiate only 5 per cent of the energy radiated by the former. One aircraft manufacturer reports having achieved, by the
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.:
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Fig. 7 Gold decorated glass and ceramic objects
stil provide an affordable means of demon-
strating affluence in today's society
rj^
Gold Bull., 1982, 15, (3)
87
use of a gold coating on the inner and outer surfaces of a
titanium tailcone fire-wall shroud, a reduction of about
165C in the maximum shroud temperature which was
thereby maintained at below 425C on the inboard side. This
reduction of temperature eliminated the need for costly
structural materials in the proximity of the tailcone,
The usefulness of liquid gold for protection from the
effects of solar radiation was visibly demonstrated to the
world during the United States Government's Apollo 14
spacc mission (8). Reflective gold-coated plastic film wrapped
around various parts of the lunar landing module and vehicle
protected sensitive parts from solar radiation, as clearly seen
by television viewers of the event.
Another useful property of gold, its electrical conductivity,
has led to a variety of functional uses within the dynamic and
high-technology area of electronics. The use of gold-rich
pastes is a well developed technology practised by hybrid
microelectronic component manufacturers. The present state
of the art requires heavier gold films than those produced
from liquid golds, unless metallic gold powders are
suspended in them. Nevertheless, they have found
applications in electronic and electrical devices. Liquid gold
coatings on the interior of ceramic cathode-ray tube bodies
function as an electrical shield (9). On discrete ceramic
resistor bodies they also provide electrical termination
contacts, while deposits of small amounts of liquid gold serve
as electrical conductors on thermal print-heads for high-speed
printers.
Other interesting applications of liquid golds in the
electronics industry include electrically conductive paths in
photocells that automatically control street lights, and films
on quartz pressure transducers. Liquid preparations of gold in
combination with other precious metals are used to coat
television tube components which have found applications as
arc suppressants, and also as thin film resistors in electronic
circuitry.
Future Prospects
Gold will continue to be an important commodity in the
foreseeable future. It is assumed that society will continue to
seek ways to demonstrate affluence, and gilded ceramic and
glass articles have always represented an affordable means of
doing so. Therefore, liquid gold should maintain its
privileged position among the range of products available to
decorators.
The methods of application and the nature of substrates
are not expected to change dramatically in the near future. As
in the past, when more stringent demands are made by users
with specific needs, manufacturers will be called upon to
fulfil them. Improvements will be reflected through
increased durability of films, better application properties of
the preparations, especially those for use in automatic
decorating machines and, most importantly, lower cost
products. The latter requirement is affected by increases in
the price of gold, which could be critical to the viability of
liquid golds if they were to be excessive. As we have
mentioned above, greater gold costs have already contributed
to the more selective use of liquid golds in recent years.
The electronics industry offers the best potential for growth
in usage of liquid golds. Precious metal-oriented since its
inception, thick film technology utilizes gold in the form of
pastes comprising fine powder of less than 10 tem in a vehicle
suspension. Recently, however, interest has developed in
films made from solutions of organic metal compounds.
Studies show that thin precious metal films offer several
advantages over thick film technology. Being true solutions,
liquid golds and other organic metal preparations are
uniform in composition. Their use eliminates the ingredient
variations sometimes experienced with powder particles and
possible contamination during processing of the components
of thick film inks. Liquid golds are suited to a variety of
application techniques which are not possible with powder
suspensions and thick film inks, and they produce more
uniform surfaces.
A major constraint in the use of liquid golds is their lower
electrical conductivity and the sensitivity of that property to
substrata surface finish. This problem must be overcome if
the utilization of liquid golds for electronic applications is to
increase significantly in the future. However, prospects for a
solution are encouraging, based upon preliminary results
from research and development projects underway.
Not all the functional uses of liquid golds have been
reviewed here. Many other untapped markets exist for the
products of liquid gold manufacturers. Thus, increasing
exploitation of the unique properties of liquid golds in
industry, for heat reflection, in optical, electrical or electronic
devices, in architecrure and in other uses can be expected.
The basic technology is available, and the potential for wider
application exists. Recognition of these facts and a
commitment by industry to pursue new opportunities should
ensure the continued expansion of liquid gold usage.
References
A.A. Milgram,J. Electrochenz. Soc., 1971, 118, (2), 287-293
J.W.M. Biester os, Appl. Phys., 1974, 45, (1), 163
W.S. Rapson, Gold Bull,, 1979, 12, (3), 108-114
L.B. Hunt, GoldBull., 1979, 12, (3), 116-127
'Bright Gold Guide', Degussa, Frankfurt, 1979, p. 5
F. Chemnitius, J. Prakt. Chem 1927, 117, 245-261
K.H. Ballard (to E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.), U.S. Patent 2,490,399
(1949)
H.M. Fitch (to Engelhard Industries), U.S. Patent 2,984,575 (1961)
R.C. Langley, Gold Bull., 1971, 4, (4), 62-66
B.O. Baker, Br. J. Appl Phys 1953, 4, 311-315
88 GoldBull., 1982, 15, (3)
Fig. 8 Liquid bright gold film acts as an electrical
shield on the interion of ceramic cathode ray
tubes
Fig. 9 Gold coated porcelain enamelled steel
reflectors are used in office copying machines
GoldBull., 1982, 15, (3) 89