Case 2150 · Public preview
Gold Plated Directly onto Stainless Steel Is Vulnerable to Adhesion Failure
Gold plating peeled from several stainless-steel probes, while used and new comparison probes showed inconsistent underplating and widespread surface contamination.
Backscattered-electron SEMEDSMetallographic microsectioningProtective electroless-nickel depositionGold and nickel thickness measurement
What the evidence preview establishes
Many probes had gold deposited directly on 316L stainless steel with no verified electroplated nickel underlayer, producing poor gold-to-steel adhesion. Other probes had variable nickel or separation at the nickel-to-steel interface, while substrate condition and contamination added further reliability concerns.
Why this case matters
A precious-metal thickness measurement does not validate the complete plating system. Confirm the presence, continuity, thickness, and adhesion of the nickel underplate—and the preparation of the stainless-steel substrate—before treating the outer gold layer as reliable.
Full evidence reserved for MEMBER and STOREThe complete case includes the evidence sequence, four interpreted figures, alternative explanations, limitations, and practical application guidance.