CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS
 PLATING ON PLASTICS Æ POP

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 A WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS…

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 PLASTICS FOR METALLIZATION

PA others
PP
3% 2%
3%

ABS
50%
ABS/PC
42%

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 STAGES FOR METALLIZATION OF PLASTIC

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 PRETREATMENT : CLEANING

This stage improves the wettability

of the parts and decreases the
surface energy

Before : contact angle > 90 deg After cleaning : contact angle < 90 deg
CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS
 FIRST IMPORTANT STEP : ETCHING

Strong oxidizing solution

At high temperature 65-70°C

CONVENTIONNAL
40%CrO3 40%H2SO4

2003 COVENTYA
Patent : Silken process
6% CrO3 + Catalyst
65% H2SO4 2014 COVENTYA
KMnO4
H3PO4 solution

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 SEM device : QUANTA FEG 250 - FEI
XFlash 6130 - Brüker

ETD
GSED
HIGH
ESEM
VACUUM
Up to <1.2 10-2 Pa
2600 Pa
STEM II

400 Pa 10 Pa

GAD CBS
LOW 130 Pa
TE
VACUUM
SE LFD
BSE
CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS
 SEM PICTURES OF ABS

ABS is a dispersion of nodules of butadiene in a styrene

/acrylonitrile copolymer matrix

Ra= 25 nm

During oxidation stage : First nodules of butadiene are oxidized

then more or less the matrix

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 SEM PICTURES AFTER ETCHING ON ABS

Ra= 240 nm
CONVENTIONNAL
40%CrO3 40%H2SO4

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 SEM PICTURES AFTER ETCHING ON ABS

Ra= 48 nm
2003 COVENTYA
patent: SILKEN Process
6% CrO3
65% H2SO4

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 SEM PICTURES AFTER ETCHING ON ABS

Ra= 78 nm
2014 COVENTYA
KMnO4
H3PO4 solution

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 Cr VI reducing : NEUTRAL

Reducing solution
Hydrate hydrazine, Ascorbic acid,
…

Chromic acid : CrO3

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 Cr VI reducing : NEUTRAL

Reducing solution
CrVI is reduced into CrIII

Easier to rinse and avoid contamination for next steps

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS
 FIRST THIN LAYER : CATALYST

PdSn colloid
( <10 nm diameter)
stabilized in hydrochloride acid

The colloidal particles diffuse into the microscopic

porosity present on the plastic surface and are
chemically adsorbed.

Nanosizer ZS- Malvern

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 TIN OXIDATION : ACCELERATOR

Oxidizing solution
Sn2+ is oxidized into Sn4+
and « liberates » Palladium as metal

Sn IV precipitates Pd (0) remains

in the solution Sn IV in the porosities

There is about 0.08 mg/dm² of Palladium on the surface

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS
 FIRST METAL LAYER : Nickel or Copper

Electroless Processes
The plastic part becomes
CONDUCTIVE

For Ni, sodium hypophosphite For Cu, formaldehyde is used

is used as the reducing agent. as the reducing agent.

Nickel Copper

ABS
ABS

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 LEVELING LAYER : Copper

Electrolytic process
Cu deposit levels the surface to
ensure the brightest finish

CuSO4
Sulfuric acid
Organic additives :
Base Cathode
Brightener Cu++ + 2e- Æ Cu
Leveler
Current density : 2-3 A/dm²

Thickness :
up to 25 µm Hull cell
CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS
 CROSS SECTION – EDX phases analysis

Electrolytic Copper

Electroless Nickel

ABS

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 Example : Layers for automotive industry

High corrosion resistance and wear resistance

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 Example : Cross section

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 FINAL CHROME DEPOSIT
Under layer Ni effect

Mate

Satin

Bright

White Cr Dark Fume Cr

Good resistance to shock, wear and decorative aspect

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS
 Aspect of under layer : SATIN Nickel
+ -
Part
Ni

The bathes contain an emulsion of micelles of surfactant.

Based on the cloud point of the surfactant.
CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS
 QUALITY CONTROL

Sratch test (ASTM-B571)

90° Peel test (ASTM B 533-85)

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 QUALITY CONTROL

Pits

Salt spray test ( NaCl spray) or Cass Test ( NaCl +Cuproacetic spray)

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS

 POP video – INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

http://www.coventya.com/bibliotheque-technique/decoration/videos-et-autres-supports-de-communication/

http://www.coventya.com/technical-information/decoration/videos-and-other-media/

CL/COVENTYA/ SEMPA 2015 PLATING ON PLASTICS