Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Topics of Discussion
Morphology of ABS and ABS / PC Preplate Technology Electroplate Technology Straight thru vs Bulk processing Principles of Electrochemistry
Plating Processes
Bulk Processing
Labor Intensive Storage facilities needed Handling difficulties Basket preplate Rack electroplate Accessory solutions Normally 2 platers Single type of Application
Preplate Technology
Cleaners Pre-etchant Etchant Neutralizer Pre-Activator Activator Accelerator Electroless Copper or Nickel
Preplate Cleaners
Can be Alkaline or Acidic Used as degreasers to remove smudges, oils,and fingerprints from the surface may contain surfactants
Pre-Etchants for PC
Can be either acidic or Alkaline Usually an Organic solvent mixture Necessary to pre swell the Polycarbonate to allow better attack of the Chromic / Sulfuric etchant on the rubber phase and create a good pore structure
Preplate Etchant
Chromic Acid /Sulfuric Acid 150 -160 F 8-10 minutes 55-70 ounces/gallon Chromic Acid 15-17 % by volume Sulfuric Acid
Preplate Neutralizer
Prepares the surface for Activation of the Catalyst Hydrochloric (Muriatic) based Room Temperature to 110 F 2-4 minutes
Preplate Acceleration
Normally an acidic solution or a Borohydryde which is used to remove a section of the TIN shell and expose the PALLADIUM particle to the surface
Desensitizes the racks to prevent Plating of the vinyl coatings 125 F 1-2 minutes
2 H - + CU ++ > CU + H 2
Copper Chloride,Formaldehyde,Sodium Hydroxide, Chelators
100 - 110 F
8-10 minutes
Electroplate Technology
Copper Strike Acid Copper Semi- Bright Nickel Bright Nickel Particulate Nickel Decorative Chromium
Electroplating Cycle
Interior Finish
Copper strike Acid Copper Bright Nickel Decorative Chrome
Exterior Finish
Copper Strike Acid Copper Semi Bright Nickel Bright Nickel Particulate Nickel Decorative Chrome
Copper Sulfate + Sulfuric Acid + Water with or without Brighteners 80 F 3-5 minutes
Required Coating for Automotive and Plumbing Applications for Corrosion Protection
Coating Thickness of 0.1 mil 130 F 3-5 minutes
Electroplate-Decorative Chrome
Service Requirements
Adhesion of the Metal Plate to Substrate Appearance / type of finish required Thermocycle CASS test Canadian Standards
Racking Techniques
Enough contacts located in inconsequential areas are necessary to distribute the electrical current evenly
Design of the application will warrant whether auxillary anodes are necessary for proper coverage
Auxilliary Anodes
Used promarily to give a bright mirror like finish to areas normally not capable of due to design
Shields
Used to limit the current distribution at high current areas: primarily edges