Metal plating of plastics can be carried out on virtually all types of resin.

There are various methods: Vacuum metallisation Indirect metallisation Plating Painting

Conventional Electroplating Method

The general process is as follows:

(Electro less

Electroplating :-)

Etching : The part is immersed in a tank containing concentrated chromic and sulphuric acid. This produces small holes on the surface of the part which will then hold small metallic particles. Neutralising : The part is then immersed in an alkaline solution to neutralise the etching acids. Catalysing : A catalytic film is put on the surface to prepare for electroless metal plating. Acceleration : This bath removes all the chemicals that remain and accelerates the catalysing film. Electroless Plating : A thin deposit of nickel or copper is deposited on the plastic part. Electro-Plating : A negative charge is applied to the part which is then dipped into a positively charged solution of the metal it is to be plated with. The positively charged metallic ions are attracted to the negatively charged part and then revert back to their metallic form. The part is removed from the solution and allowed to cool.

Developments in Electroplating of Plastics

(Corrosion resistance)

There are two very significant developments in nickel/chromium electroplating technology that have ultimately greatly improved the quality of electroplated plastics. Double layer nickel systems consisting of a semi-bright under layer with bright nickel topcoat - have been developed which give much improved corrosion resistance compared to single layer bright nickel coatings of the same total thickness. It has also become widely accepted that microdiscontinuous chromium systems, where the chromium layer exhibits either an extensive microcracked structure or is microporous, further increase corrosion resistance of nickel/chromium deposits. Modern specifications for electroplated plastics that are to be employed in severe environments (e.g. external automotive applications) all call for the use of double layer nickel together with micro discontinuous chromium.

Modern Concept of Electroplating

(Direct)

In the conventional process, electro-less chemical nickel and copper baths were used after the plastic surface had been prepared and activated. The galvanic coating was then applied to the electroless chemical deposition. With advanced process, no electroless chemical metal plating is used. A potential source of error is thereby eliminated in the plating-on-plastics process. An organic solvent is generally used as the swelling medium, instead of chromic sulfuric acid, combined with a sub-sequent conditioning step. These process steps form the basis for adhesive metal plating.

This swelling and conditioning steps should ensure uniform roughening and functionality of the surface. These steps form the ideal basis for the subsequent activation of the surface with precious metal ions, usually palladium-containing processes. Only an optimized pre-treated surface will result in perfectly adhesive metal deposition. In an activation step, palladium will be adsorbed on the surface. The reduction step reduces the palladium, while a catalytic activation of the surface is generated on the plastic which can then be nickel plated. The sweller and the composition of the subsequent solutions must be carefully tuned, since only carefully optimized parameters en-sure good metal plating, with good adhesion. A process that is suitable for one type of plastic may be unsuitable for another, as each individual plastic material behaves differently. Even the slightest modifications within a plastic type may give deviating results at equivalent pre-treatment methods. Both various pigments and a diversity of fillers can influence plastic characteristics. Another influence not to be underestimated is the moulding of the plastic material prior to the plating process. The development of new processing technologies and equipment will lead to potential savings in terms of raw material and energy

Polyamide
In recent years, polyamide (PA) has proved to be a plastic material suitable for a great variety of indus-trial applications. Polyamide is inherently stronger and more rigid than ABS or ABS/ PC. As a thermoplastic, polyamide can be readily processed from a liquid state. It has temperature stability from -30C to around 110C. In addition to this it has excellent lowfriction behavior and good thermal co-efficiency expansion characteristics with the metals that are later electroplated. Polyamide has high impact strength, a small amount of memory (elasticity), is abrasion resistant and vibration reducing The low fusion viscosity of polyamides makes them easy to work. Put simply, polyamides have outstanding physical properties, combined with low weight and also low manufacturing costs. Polyamide is differentiated by the number of polar amid groups (PA 6, 11, 12, 66), which, at the same time, indicate the difference in the material compared to ABS-/ABS-PC blend plastics.

 Futuron technology developed by Atotech Atotechs new polyamide pre-treatment method, Noviganth PA.