With all of the other concerns on surface mount interconnect quality, the quality of the contact interface must not be assumed or ignored.

Terminals are usually Phosphor Bronze, a copper alloy that is much stronger than brass, yet is easily formed for the surface mount feet. It can be drawn or stamped and coined to achieve the very tight tolerances often necessary with surface mount interconnects. The final finish can be specified as gold or tin, or more commonly, with gold selectively plated on the mating surface and tin on the solder tails. The underplating is usually nickel.