EP2108716A2 - Method for Electroplating a plastic substrate - Google Patents

Method for Electroplating a plastic substrate Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2108716A2
EP2108716A2 EP09157429A EP09157429A EP2108716A2 EP 2108716 A2 EP2108716 A2 EP 2108716A2 EP 09157429 A EP09157429 A EP 09157429A EP 09157429 A EP09157429 A EP 09157429A EP 2108716 A2 EP2108716 A2 EP 2108716A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coating
electroplating
chrome
plastic substrate
electrolyte
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP09157429A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2108716A3 (en
Inventor
Jong-Yi Su
Cheng-Shin Chen
Ren-Ning Wang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co Ltd
FIH Hong Kong Ltd
Original Assignee
Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co Ltd
FIH Hong Kong Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co Ltd, FIH Hong Kong Ltd filed Critical Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co Ltd
Publication of EP2108716A2 publication Critical patent/EP2108716A2/en
Publication of EP2108716A3 publication Critical patent/EP2108716A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D5/00—Electroplating characterised by the process; Pretreatment or after-treatment of workpieces
    • C25D5/10—Electroplating with more than one layer of the same or of different metals
    • C25D5/12—Electroplating with more than one layer of the same or of different metals at least one layer being of nickel or chromium
    • C25D5/14—Electroplating with more than one layer of the same or of different metals at least one layer being of nickel or chromium two or more layers being of nickel or chromium, e.g. duplex or triplex layers
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C28/00—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
    • C23C28/02—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D only coatings only including layers of metallic material
    • C23C28/023—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D only coatings only including layers of metallic material only coatings of metal elements only
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D3/00—Electroplating: Baths therefor
    • C25D3/02—Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions
    • C25D3/04—Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions of chromium
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D3/00—Electroplating: Baths therefor
    • C25D3/02—Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions
    • C25D3/04—Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions of chromium
    • C25D3/10—Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions of chromium characterised by the organic bath constituents used
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D5/00—Electroplating characterised by the process; Pretreatment or after-treatment of workpieces
    • C25D5/54—Electroplating of non-metallic surfaces
    • C25D5/56—Electroplating of non-metallic surfaces of plastics

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for electroplating a plastic substrate.
  • Electroplating is an attractive and effective process for improving corrosion resistance and metallic appearance of covers for mobile devices. Many covers molded from plastic are processed to form plated metal coatings on surfaces thereof using electronic plating.
  • a typical electroplating process forms a nickel coating on the covers.
  • the nickel coating is an irritant to the skin, which may cause irritation to the skin.
  • Figure 1 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for electroplating a plastic substrate.
  • a method of an exemplary embodiment for electroplating a plastic substrate may includes steps 100 to 500.
  • step 100 a plastic substrate made from one of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polycarbonate (PC) is provided.
  • ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
  • PMMA poly methyl methacrylate
  • PC polycarbonate
  • a surface of the plastic substrate is metalized to form a noble metal coating.
  • the surface of the plastic substrate is first roughened by etching.
  • the etching of the plastic substrate allows the noble metal coating to be attached onto the roughened plastic surface in a subsequent process.
  • the etching process may be carried out, for example, using chromic acid, chromosulfuric acid, or potassium permanganate etching solution. It is to be understood that the etching process also can be carried out in a plasma chamber.
  • An associated cleaning step cleans the plastic substrate.
  • the surface of the plastic substrate is activated by immersion into an activating solution containing a hydrochloric acid, a polyamide acid, and a noble metal salt. During activation, a noble metal is separated from the activating solution and deposited on the surface of the plastic substrate to form the noble metal coating on to the roughened surface of the plastic substrate.
  • the noble metal coating may include palladium.
  • a copper coating is electroplated onto the pretreated surface of the plastic substrate.
  • the electroplating forming the copper coating is carried out by immersing the plastic substrate into an electrolyte including at least one of copper sulfate and copper pyrophosphate, with the pretreated surface of the plastic substrate being electronically connected to a cathode of an electrical source, and the electrolyte being electronically connected to an anode of the electrical source.
  • the copper coating also can be formed by physical vapor deposition.
  • a first chrome coating is electroplated onto the copper coating.
  • the electroplating for forming the first chrome coating is carried out by using a chromic electrolyte including a chromic salt and a buffer agent, at a temperature from about 28 °C to about 52 °C and a current density from about 3 to about 20 ampere per square decimeter.
  • the chromic salt may be one of chrome sulfate and chrome chloride.
  • the buffer agent may be boric acid.
  • a second chrome coating is electroplated onto the first chrome coating using a chromyl electrolyte including a chromyl component and sulfate acid, at a temperature from about 30 °C to about 60 °C and a current density from about 5 to about 40 ampere per square decimeter.
  • the plastic substrate may be coated with a copper layer and two chrome coatings, which improves the anti-corrosion and anti-abrasion of the plastic substrate.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Electroplating Methods And Accessories (AREA)
  • Electroplating And Plating Baths Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

A method for electroplating a plastic substrate includes the following steps a plastic substrate is firstly provided. The plastic substrate is then pretreated to form a noble metal coating. The noble metal coating is coated with a copper coating. A first chrome coating is electroplated onto the copper coating using a first electrolyte including a chromic component. A second chrome coating is electroplated onto the first chrome coating using a second electrolyte including a chromyl component.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a method for electroplating a plastic substrate.
  • Electroplating is an attractive and effective process for improving corrosion resistance and metallic appearance of covers for mobile devices. Many covers molded from plastic are processed to form plated metal coatings on surfaces thereof using electronic plating.
  • A typical electroplating process forms a nickel coating on the covers. However, the nickel coating is an irritant to the skin, which may cause irritation to the skin.
  • Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Many aspects of the method for electroplating a plastic substrate can be better understood with reference to the following drawing. The components in the drawing are not necessarily to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the method for electroplating a plastic substrate.
  • Figure 1 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for electroplating a plastic substrate.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
  • Referring to the drawing, a method of an exemplary embodiment for electroplating a plastic substrate may includes steps 100 to 500.
  • In step 100, a plastic substrate made from one of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polycarbonate (PC) is provided.
  • In step 200, a surface of the plastic substrate is metalized to form a noble metal coating. During the pretreatment, the surface of the plastic substrate is first roughened by etching. The etching of the plastic substrate allows the noble metal coating to be attached onto the roughened plastic surface in a subsequent process. The etching process may be carried out, for example, using chromic acid, chromosulfuric acid, or potassium permanganate etching solution. It is to be understood that the etching process also can be carried out in a plasma chamber. An associated cleaning step cleans the plastic substrate. Subsequently, the surface of the plastic substrate is activated by immersion into an activating solution containing a hydrochloric acid, a polyamide acid, and a noble metal salt. During activation, a noble metal is separated from the activating solution and deposited on the surface of the plastic substrate to form the noble metal coating on to the roughened surface of the plastic substrate. The noble metal coating may include palladium.
  • In step 300, a copper coating is electroplated onto the pretreated surface of the plastic substrate. The electroplating forming the copper coating is carried out by immersing the plastic substrate into an electrolyte including at least one of copper sulfate and copper pyrophosphate, with the pretreated surface of the plastic substrate being electronically connected to a cathode of an electrical source, and the electrolyte being electronically connected to an anode of the electrical source. It is to be understood that the copper coating also can be formed by physical vapor deposition.
  • In step 400, a first chrome coating is electroplated onto the copper coating. The electroplating for forming the first chrome coating is carried out by using a chromic electrolyte including a chromic salt and a buffer agent, at a temperature from about 28 °C to about 52 °C and a current density from about 3 to about 20 ampere per square decimeter. The chromic salt may be one of chrome sulfate and chrome chloride. The buffer agent may be boric acid.
  • In step 500, a second chrome coating is electroplated onto the first chrome coating using a chromyl electrolyte including a chromyl component and sulfate acid, at a temperature from about 30 °C to about 60 °C and a current density from about 5 to about 40 ampere per square decimeter.
  • As such, the plastic substrate may be coated with a copper layer and two chrome coatings, which improves the anti-corrosion and anti-abrasion of the plastic substrate.
  • It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Claims (18)

  1. A method for electroplating a plastic substrate, comprising the steps of:
    providing a plastic substrate;
    metalizing the plastic substrate;
    forming a copper coating onto the noble metal coating;
    electroplating a first chrome coating onto the copper coating using a first electrolyte including a chromic component; and
    electroplating a second chrome coating onto the first chrome coating using a second electrolyte including a chromyl component.
  2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic substrate is made from one of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, poly methyl methacrylate, and polycarbonate.
  3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the noble metal coating is made of palladium.
  4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the copper coating is formed by electroplating.
  5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the copper coating is formed by physical vapor deposition.
  6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first electrolyte includes boric acid.
  7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chromic component is one of chrome sulfate and chrome chloride.
  8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electroplating for forming the first chrome coating is carried out in the first electrolyte at a temperature from about 28 °C to about 52 °C and a current density from about 3 to about 20 ampere per square decimeter.
  9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second electrolyte includes sulfate acid, the electroplating for forming the first chrome coating being curried out in the second electrolyte at a temperature from about 30 °C to about 60 °C and a current density from about 5 to about 40 ampere per square decimeter.
  10. A method for electroplating a plastic substrate, comprising the steps of:
    providing a plastic substrate;
    forming a noble metal coating on the plastic substrate;
    forming a copper coating onto the noble metal coating;
    electroplating a first chrome coating onto the copper coating using a chromic electrolyte; and
    electroplating a second chrome coating onto the first chrome coating using a chromyl electrolyte including a chromyl component.
  11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plastic substrate is made from one of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, poly methyl methacrylate, and polycarbonate.
  12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the noble metal coating is made of palladium.
  13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the copper coating is formed by electroplating.
  14. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the copper coating is formed by physical vapor deposition.
  15. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the chromic electrolyte includes boric acid and a chromic salt.
  16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the chromic salt is one of chrome sulfate and chrome chloride.
  17. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the electroplating for forming the first chrome coating is curried out in the chromic electrolyte at a temperature from about 28 °C to about 52 °C and a current density from about 3 to about 20 ampere per square decimeter.
  18. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the chromyl electrolyte includes a chromyl component and sulfate acid, the electroplating for forming the first chrome coating being curried out in the chromyl electrolyte at a temperature from about 30 °C to about 60 °C and a current density from about 5 to about 40 ampere per square decimeter.
EP09157429.3A 2008-04-11 2009-04-06 Method for Electroplating a plastic substrate Withdrawn EP2108716A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN2008103011017A CN101555614B (en) 2008-04-11 2008-04-11 Plastic surface galvanizing method

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2108716A2 true EP2108716A2 (en) 2009-10-14
EP2108716A3 EP2108716A3 (en) 2014-03-05

Family

ID=40954289

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP09157429.3A Withdrawn EP2108716A3 (en) 2008-04-11 2009-04-06 Method for Electroplating a plastic substrate

Country Status (3)

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US (1) US20090255823A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2108716A3 (en)
CN (1) CN101555614B (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2157212A2 (en) * 2008-07-30 2010-02-24 Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Surface Treatment Method For Housing
DE102015006574A1 (en) 2015-05-21 2016-11-24 Audi Ag Method for producing a component for an operating device of a motor vehicle with a partially structured surface

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102322176A (en) * 2011-06-30 2012-01-18 厦门建霖工业有限公司 Method for preparing imitation metal composite door handle
CN103266321A (en) * 2013-05-24 2013-08-28 吴江市董鑫塑料包装厂 Preparation method of plastic-based copper-chromium double-layered environmental-friendly wear-resisting electronic hardware fitting
CN103290444A (en) * 2013-05-24 2013-09-11 吴江市董鑫塑料包装厂 Plastic-based copper-chromium bilayer environment-friendly wearable electronic hardware fitting
CN108018586A (en) * 2018-01-09 2018-05-11 东莞市永和化工有限公司 A kind of trivalent chromium bright blue passivator electroplating technology for being not easy to misplace

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US3157585A (en) * 1959-12-18 1964-11-17 Gen Motors Corp Chromium plating
FR1461596A (en) * 1965-10-26 1966-02-25 Aquitaine Petrole Metallization process for plastics
US3758389A (en) * 1971-11-30 1973-09-11 Okuno Chem Ind Co Process for nickel and chromium plating
DE19529843A1 (en) * 1995-08-12 1997-02-13 Marco Santini Galvanic chrome plating process
WO2003096859A2 (en) * 2002-05-17 2003-11-27 Hansgrohe Ag Method for producing galvanised sanitary objects made of plastic
EP1918425A1 (en) * 2006-10-24 2008-05-07 Wolf-Dieter Franz Greyish chromium surface

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US2822326A (en) * 1955-03-22 1958-02-04 Rockwell Spring & Axle Co Bright chromium alloy plating
FR1255874A (en) * 1959-05-28 1961-03-10 Metal & Thermit Corp Electrolytic chrome plating process
US4311615A (en) * 1980-03-28 1982-01-19 Nasa Electrically conductive palladium containing polyimide films
US4602983A (en) * 1984-01-19 1986-07-29 George Dubpernell Method of improving the distribution and brightness of chromium plate
JPH01301899A (en) * 1988-05-31 1989-12-06 Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co Ltd Method for applying plating having stainless steel brightness
CN1081723A (en) * 1992-07-25 1994-02-09 河南省华豫科技实业公司 Super-lower chromicacid electroplating method of renewing old bicycle
CN1238572C (en) * 2003-02-19 2006-01-25 宏达国际电子股份有限公司 Process for making plastic surface by electroplating
CN1804144A (en) * 2005-12-09 2006-07-19 张喜成 Crystallizer copper tube with transitional chromium coating and hard chromium coating and production process thereof
JP4275157B2 (en) * 2006-07-27 2009-06-10 荏原ユージライト株式会社 Metallization method for plastic surfaces

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3157585A (en) * 1959-12-18 1964-11-17 Gen Motors Corp Chromium plating
FR1461596A (en) * 1965-10-26 1966-02-25 Aquitaine Petrole Metallization process for plastics
US3758389A (en) * 1971-11-30 1973-09-11 Okuno Chem Ind Co Process for nickel and chromium plating
DE19529843A1 (en) * 1995-08-12 1997-02-13 Marco Santini Galvanic chrome plating process
WO2003096859A2 (en) * 2002-05-17 2003-11-27 Hansgrohe Ag Method for producing galvanised sanitary objects made of plastic
EP1918425A1 (en) * 2006-10-24 2008-05-07 Wolf-Dieter Franz Greyish chromium surface

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2157212A2 (en) * 2008-07-30 2010-02-24 Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Surface Treatment Method For Housing
EP2157212A3 (en) * 2008-07-30 2014-03-12 Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Surface Treatment Method For Housing
DE102015006574A1 (en) 2015-05-21 2016-11-24 Audi Ag Method for producing a component for an operating device of a motor vehicle with a partially structured surface

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2108716A3 (en) 2014-03-05
US20090255823A1 (en) 2009-10-15
CN101555614A (en) 2009-10-14
CN101555614B (en) 2011-03-30

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