pin

A pin is a conductive metal pin that makes electrical contact with the contact spring in the socket or base in connectors or other electrical and electronic components such as semiconductor memories, microprocessors or central processing units( CPU).

In terms of design, it can be round, square or rectangular. Round contact pins are mainly used in plugs, rectangular pins in connectors.

The material used in contact pins depends on the required properties of the connector, mechanical stress, required mating cycles, environmental influences in terms of corrosion and contact resistance.

Round and rectangular pin (gold-plated), photo: parts.digikey.de

Depending on the application and field of use, contact pins are made of copper or copper alloys and have contact surfaces made of nickel, gold, silver or palladium, which are applied by electroplating or rolling.