"Amalgamates" *Does Not* mean that an alloy has been formed. An Amalgam is essentially a solid colloid whereby the *separate* properties of the components makes a mixture that does not behave as either. The best example of this that is easily understood is Dental Amalgam, which is a mixture of silver, tin, copper and zinc, indium and other materials *as a powder* mixed 1:1 with mercury. The mix is pressed into place, whereupon the mercury is displaced and the rest of the mixture hardens. But, it is NOT an alloy. The various components partially dissolve in the mercury and bind to each other as a result. Kinda-sorta like sticky bits of candy would bind to each other if made wet. But, the individual bits of candy never dissolve entirely, and except at the direct interface, could never be described as an alloy. Or, if you must, somewhat like concrete. The components, sand, gravel, water, and cement *cure* (NOT dry) into an amalgam - but they are NOT an alloy.

This is an obscure point, but important in this context. The potential for a non-conductive oxide to form is real as each component of the amalgam remains discrete in its behavior at the chemical level.

The reason that gold is used is that it is more resistant than any other of the noble metals to 'dissolving' into anything, forming an oxide or otherwise degrading. If it is attacked by something, that something will be quite toxic or dangerous in its own right. Those compounds would include chlorine, mercury, cyanide and reactants of same. Gold often does not solder well, true, but that depends much on how how it is alloyed and its purity. 24 karat (pure) gold tends to solder quite easily, if gotten hot enough, but is also very expensive, very soft and for those reasons seldom used. 10 karat gold - the lowest that can still be called 'gold' solders badly unless very high silver-content solder is used, and typically requires a flame. Silver Brazing would be a better description.

Gold is seldom used in soldered components as there is no reason to do so. The only real reason for gold (as it is a poor conductor relative to silver or copper) is its resistance to corrosion on contact-type connectors - jacks, plugs and switches. Soldering *to* a gold-flashed lug or pad is asking for trouble for all sorts of reasons, some obvious, some not so much.

This is basic high-school chemistry - at least when I was in school.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA