Old modem gold plated ?

[rkp6]

Hi im new to the whole thing but learning fast
I found an old modem that has some pretty thick plating of what looks like gold .
So if it is not then please tell me
Thx

 

[Geo]

actually, if you look closely, you will notice the small marks in the metal lengthwise like machining marks or tiny fractures in the surface or scratches. this makes it look like brass to me.gold plating can be scratched but all of these are uniform and all in the same direction.its a sign of the piece being formed and machined.

the only way to know for sure is to test it with acid.

 

[g_axelsson]

I would guess it is gold flash on stainless steel. I've seen a lot of PCMCIA cards with this type of gold plate but I have never checked the thickness.
The scratches is from the process of making the steel sheet metal that part is stamped off, the gold surface is so thin it follows the smallest scratches and it looks like it is on the surface. It could even be plated before it was stamped from the sheet metal.

To test the base metal, bend it on and off a couple of times, if it is brass it will break easily after a while and you could see the yellow interior in the break. If it is tough and slightly magnetic it's probably stainless steel. If tough and very magnetic then it is just steel.

Göran

 

[Smack]

Yes, they are sst with very thin gold plating. That's why you see brush marks Geo, because it's in the stainless. You can process them like you would processor lids.

 

[rkp6]

thx a bunch guys