Sometime when looking for Connector Contacts with gold flash plating, some may come in slighly different colours of gold flash plated area even within the same part number. Is this a nonconformance issue?
This slightly varying colour of gold flash plated is not typically considered a non-conforming issue. Like TE Connectivity, 1658686-3 connectors with a flash of gold plating over a matte nickel deposit may present variation in appearance. The reason is that the gold layer is very thin and will show what is underneath it.
Mostly likely, this variation in the surface finish of the nickel deposit is common and acceptable. This variation will cause different cosmetic appearances of the gold surface, but does not affect the part’s specified performance.
