Rika Denshi America manufactures test probes with a palladium cobalt (PdCo) plating option on the plungers. PdCo offers a very hard, smooth slippery surface when plated on plungers, this surface has shown to improve product test yields. This plated surface helps decrease wear and makes it easier for foreign material to slide off the plunger tips.
PdCo is an alloy that offers a good barrier to plunger material diffusion and the surface oxide will help deter solder transfer from pads or balls.
Please review our palladium cobalt booklet for a more detailed description of the properties of palladium cobalt.
