Gateron switch corrosion.

[Jixr]

Hey Guys, just a heads up

If you don't know, gateron swiches use copper leafs, compared to cherrys gold plated leafs, and copper can corrode.


I've had an issue with a gateron switch that I got through massdrop, and I opened the switch and the copper leaf was pretty green with corrosion.

I dug through my bag of switches and found a few others that were corroded, so just take note when building your keyboards and inspect your switches before soldering them in, and note that the copper leafs could corrode if exposed to moisture.

[Touch_It]

Yuck.  Thanks for the heads up

[Seriously]

Will lubing the switch potentially cause corrosion over time as well?

[Latin00032]

I never heard of this before. Is this just gateron? Does Cherry also have this issue?

[CPTBadAss]

Cherry switches can have corrosion yeah. Lubing shouldn't cause corrosion but now knowing the composition of the lubricant and how that will react with the metal only leaves me with guesses. Thanks for the heads up jixr

[metalliqaz]

Gold never corrodes, that's why it's a precious metal.  I didn't know the gators differed in this way.  This is disappointing to hear.

[CPTBadAss]

Gold never corrodes, that's why it's a precious metal.  I didn't know the gators differed in this way.  This is disappointing to hear.

I definitely have had multiple Cherry caps which had corrosion. Not sure if the plating wore off or what.

[metalliqaz]

Gold never corrodes, that's why it's a precious metal.  I didn't know the gators differed in this way.  This is disappointing to hear.

I definitely have had multiple Cherry caps which had corrosion. Not sure if the plating wore off or what.

Correction: 24 carat gold never corrodes. Alloys can.  Also,  wear and tear, of course

[Parak]

The fine patina only makes the switch more rustic and appreciate in value noticeably to the discerning eye.

[Joey Quinn]

Corroded gaterons, the only switch scratchier than browns.

[Findecanor]

Gateron switches have a gold-plated cross-point. Look here for a close-up picture of both Gateron and Cherry MX. It must be the metal around the cross-point that corroded.

But thanks for the head's up. I will inspect my switches when I get them, and see if I could replace the metal leaves with those from real Cherry MX.

[Lpwl]

That guy - from an old thread - had the same problem with a Cherry MX switch:




EDIT :

- Cherry MX series switches have "AuAg 10" contacts which is an alloy with mostly silver with 10% gold.
(source : Ripster & Fentek industries)

- Gateron KS-3 series switches have "Au alloy" contacts.
(source : Massdrop)

>> Does anyone have more info about the precise alloy used for these Gateron gold contacts ?

[metalliqaz]

Corroded gaterons, the only switch scratchier than browns.

Sounds like you haven't broken in your browns.

[Jixr]

i'm sure its a low percentage of switches that are affected, but took me forever to figure out the switch was the problem, I thought my pcb or soldering skills were starting to go south.

It wasn't as bad as in the pic above, but the contact points deff had some green on them.

[IvanIvanovich]

Right, Cherry MX too use copper/brass for the metal pieces with only a teeny 1mm or so size Au alloy contact bits stuck on the so called gold crosspoints. Same oxidation problem can happen with them too... though I have never seen it on brand new Cherry MX, only really old ones that probably were not stored in ideal conditions for 20 years.

[0100010]

They make non oxidizing conductive grease - though I am not sure how well it would work in a switch.