Updated September 21, 2004

Gold can be used as a conductor, or for plating metal packages to make them bright, shiny and expensive. It has slightly higher resistivity than copper or silver, but it never tarnishes so it is preferred for microwave applications requiring wirebonding. Gold is more often used for military stuff than commercial stuff. Can you guess why?

Formula or Composition:	Au
Bulk Resistivity:	2.44 -cm
Temperature Coefficient of Resistivity (TCR):	4000 ppm/°C
Mass Density:	19.3 gr/cc
Heat Capacity:	127.5 J/kg/°C
Thermal Conductivity (k):	311 W/m°C
Temperature Coefficient of Expansion (TCE):	14.2 ppm/°C
Melting Point, °C:	1064 °C
Melting Point, °F:	1947 °F