DE102015113245A1 - A method of manufacturing a component having at least one chrome-plated portion and a component produced by the method - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for producing a component having at least one chromed region and a component produced by the process are described, wherein in a first step, a galvanisable component is produced from a plastic. On the component is applied by means of a galvanic process, a copper layer and then on the copper layer, a non-galvanisable lacquer layer. Thereafter, the non-galvanisable lacquer layer is removed in at least one area by means of a laser and in a subsequent process step by means of a galvanic process, a chromium coating in the at least one area.

Description

 The invention relates to a method for producing a component having at least one chrome-plated area and to a component produced by the method having at least one chrome-plated area.

Various methods for chromium plating of plastic parts are known from the prior art. For example, partially chromed plastic parts can be realized by means of a multi-component injection molding process or by joining a chromium-plated component with a non-chrome-plated plastic component. In addition, plating processes are known which enable chrome plating of plastic parts.

A partial coating of plastic parts with a chromium layer has in a multi-component injection molding process especially disadvantages in the limitation by the process management. In addition, there are restrictions with regard to the materials that can be used. In a multi-component injection molding process, for example, it is not possible to represent very fine lines. Lines only 1 millimeter wide can not be realized in such a process. As a result, the representation of complex symbols is greatly limited by the tool design.

Even when assembling chrome-plated components with chrome-plated plastic components, only limited structures and motifs can be represented. In particular, only structures can be produced with a certain minimum width, since otherwise the chrome-plated component could easily break.

Another disadvantage of a multi-component injection molding process is that only material pairings can be used that form a strong adhesion bond with each other.

Furthermore, electroplating processes are known from the prior art, in which backlit plastics are provided with a chromium layer. In order that backlit sections are not coated, it is known to cover these sections with a protective layer.

For example, disclosed DE 20 2013 009 793 U1 a galvanically decorated component with a symbolism or structure that can be transilluminated in the surface. In a first step, a component made of a galvanisable plastic is produced. Subsequently, the imprinting of the symbolism by means of tampon printing, wherein a non-galvanisable coating is applied. This is followed by a cleaning of the outer pressure edges by a downstream laser process in order to produce fine structures can. Thereafter, a renewed electroplating process is carried out, in which a chemical and electrochemical deposition of several metal layers takes place. Finally, the electroplating process is conventionally completed with a chrome layer. By the in DE 20 2013 009 793 U1 Although the teachings described can be shown fine structures, but a reworking is necessary.

Further disclosed DE 20 2013 009 793 U1 a large chrome coating.

However, there are no known methods that allow only a partial chromium coating of a plastic component, with very fine structures can be formed by a chromium layer.

It is therefore an object to provide a method for producing a component having at least one chromed region and such a component, wherein the component has very fine chrome-plated regions.

The object is achieved by a method having the features specified in claim 1. In addition, the object is achieved by a component produced according to the method. Advantageous developments are specified in the dependent claims in detail.

• – Herstellen eines galvanisierbaren Bauteils aus einem Kunststoff,
• – Aufbringen einer Kupferschicht auf das Bauteil durch ein galvanisches Verfahren,
• – Aufbringen einer nicht galvanisierbaren Lackschicht auf die Kupferschicht,
• – Abtragen der nicht galvanisierbaren Lackschicht in zumindest einem Bereich mittels eines Lasers, und
• – Abscheiden einer Chromschicht durch ein galvanisches Verfahren auf die Kupferschicht in dem mindestens einen Bereich des Bauteils, in dem die Lackschicht abgetragen worden ist.

A method for producing a component having at least one chrome-plated area which solves the above problem has the following method steps:

• - producing a galvanisierbaren component from a plastic,
• Applying a copper layer to the component by a galvanic process,
• Application of a non-plateable lacquer layer to the copper layer,
• - Removal of the non-galvanisable lacquer layer in at least one area by means of a laser, and
• - depositing a chromium layer by a galvanic process on the copper layer in the at least one region of the component in which the lacquer layer has been removed.

By the method, very fine structures can be represented on a component, wherein the structures are formed by a chromium layer. The chrome layer can be introduced as a very fine chrome line in the exposed areas. In particular, no areas need to be covered in the process. In the prior art with covered areas are fine structures, for example, with a width of 1 millimeter, difficult or impossible to realize. In the method advantageously takes place a large-scale and simple coating of the component with a copper layer and then with a non-electrodepositable lacquer layer. This also offers advantages over the methods known from the prior art, since no special and expensive measures must be taken to save an area. A further advantage of the method consists in the fact that the areas which are to be provided with a chromium layer are produced by laser ablation of the non-plateable lacquer layer. By means of the laser, very fine structures can be introduced into the lacquer layer, which for example have a width of less than 1 millimeter. After the introduction of such areas into the non-galvanisable lacquer layer by removal of material, a chromium layer is deposited by means of a galvanic process, with chromium depositing on the exposed copper areas in the at least one area of the component.

The component can be produced from a galvanisable plastic in an injection molding process. In an injection molding process, different component shapes can be realized in a simple way. The component may for example be a component of a trim part in a motor vehicle or a component of units in a motor vehicle. Here, for example, the formation of chrome fins for air vents to call. Furthermore, it is possible to produce controls with a corresponding chrome coating. In further embodiments, surfaces in a plastic vehicle interior may also have a fine chrome-plated structure. In order to produce such trim parts, previously chromed components have been used in corresponding openings in a plastic part in the prior art. Due to the aforementioned limitations in terms of material compatibility and material thickness, so far very fine lines, letters, characters and symbols could not be realized.

The component can also be made of a non-galvanisable plastic in an injection molding process and then a galvanisable layer can be applied to the component or the surface of the component can be made galvanisable.

The area may, for example, have a pattern, a symbol and / or a character. Thus, several areas can be provided, which together comprise a lettering, a string or graphic representations. A combination of the aforementioned training is possible.

The plastic may preferably be an ABS plastic (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) or an ABS-polycarbonate blend. In addition, as a plastic and a PA (polyamide) can be used. Such plastics are suitable for galvanic processes and can also be brought into any shape by injection molding.

• – Beizen des Kunststoffs und Herauslösung der Butadien-Komponente, und
• – Einlagern von Palladiumkeimen in Aktvierungs- und Beschleunigungsbädern.

In this case, the production of the electroplatable component made of plastic can have the following steps:

• - Pickling of the plastic and removal of the butadiene component, and
• - Storage of palladium bacteria in activation and acceleration baths.

In these upstream production steps, the plastic component is prepared for a coating with copper. Copper atoms can then be deposited on the palladium nuclei, the copper layer being formed over this. The copper atoms are applied until a minimum layer thickness of 2 μm is achieved. Subsequently, a lacquer layer is applied to the copper layer and the lacquer layer is exposed by laser ablation in the areas.

In the method, the component can be provided over the entire surface with a copper layer and the copper layer with a lacquer layer. However, it is also possible to provide only certain areas with a copper layer and then a lacquer layer.

A plastic component manufactured according to the above-mentioned method with at least one chromed area can have at least one area which has at least one section with a width of <1.5 mm.

Adhesion promoters can also be applied between the plastic component and the copper layer. For example, a bonding agent layer is applied, which is not integrated in the copper layer.

Further advantages, features and design options will become apparent from the following description of the figures of non-limiting embodiments to be understood.

In the drawings shows:

1 Method steps for producing a component having at least one chromed region; and

2a -E different stages of a component in a method of manufacturing a component having at least one chrome-plated area.

Parts and method steps denoted by like reference characters in the drawings substantially correspond to each other unless otherwise specified. Further, it is omitted to illustrate and describe components and method steps that are not essential to understanding the teachings disclosed herein.

1 shows the method steps for producing a component with at least one chrome-plated area 36 ,

In a first step, the production takes place 10 a component made of a plastic. As plastic, for example, an ABS plastic or a polyamide can be used. ABS plastics and polyamides are easily activated and thus used for electroplating. The ABS plastic or the polyamide are plasticized and brought about an injection molding in a desired shape.

After curing of the plastic component is carried out in a next processing step, the pretreatment 12 of the plastic component. The pretreatment 12 includes activation as well as required processing steps. This includes, for example, the pickling of the plastic component in order to release the butadiene component from a surface layer of an ABS plastic component. In the vacated areas are then in the pretreatment 12 Introduced palladium germs. The introduction of the palladium nuclei in the surface of the plastic component allows the attachment of metallic layers on the surface of the plastic component. During the pretreatment 12 Further steps, such as cleaning operations, can be performed. In addition, instead of palladium other metals in the plastic body 30 which are then used as the basis for a copper layer 32 serve.

Subsequently, the application takes place in a next processing step 14 a copper layer. The application 14 The copper layer takes place in a galvanic process, with copper atoms attached to the palladium nuclei. The depositing of the copper atoms on the palladium nuclei and a further deposition of copper atoms on a first copper layer are carried out until a certain minimum layer thickness of copper is reached. Preferably, the attachment is 14 a copper layer carried out until the copper layer has a minimum thickness of 2 microns.

Subsequently, the application is carried out 16 a lacquer layer 34 on the copper layer. The paint used is a non-electroplatable paint. Instead of a non-electroplatable paint, a plastic layer can also be applied. In particular, in the teaching described herein, it is covered with lacquer 34 also understood a plastic layer.

The plastic or lacquer layer 34 is chosen so that it meets the desired optical requirements for the finished component. The lacquer or plastic layer on the exposed side in the finished component is a visible surface. For this reason, the lacquer or plastic layer are applied in a sufficient layer thickness on the copper layer. For example, colored plastics or paints can be applied. In addition, coatings with certain optical properties can be applied, always ensuring that no galvanisable paints or plastics are used.

In a further method step, it is possible to apply or incorporate a specific surface structure onto or into the lacquer or plastic layer. For example, it is also possible to generate certain structures in the surface which allow haptic detection of the structures. These include regular and irregular structures. An example of irregular structures is a leather surface. In the process, recesses and elevations are introduced into the lacquer or plastic layer, so that an optically and haptically perceptible leather pattern is produced. Regular structures include, for example, defined arrangements of surface formations, for example a parallel arrangement of elevations and depressions.

In a subsequent process step, a removal takes place 18 the paint layer 34 or the plastic layer in at least one area. The removal takes place by means of a laser. Very fine structures can be introduced into the paint or plastic layer via the laser. It is crucial that only the paint or plastic layer is removed. About the removal of the plastic layer or the lacquer layer 34 Symbols, characters, patterns or graphic illustrations can also be used with very fine lines in the plastic or lacquer layer 34 be introduced. Depending on the thickness of the plastic or lacquer layer 34 is to select the power of the laser and the type of laser.

The removal of areas of the varnish layer 34 or the plastic layer can be carried out very precisely over the laser. In comparison to the methods known from the prior art, the previous method steps 12 . 14 and 16 Easy to perform, since no exact alignment and positioning of the component must be done. Only the removal of the paint layer 34 in the plastic layer in at least one area must be defined. However, this represents a considerable relief in the workflow compared to the known methods.

After areas 36 the paint layer 34 or plastic layer have been removed to produce a pattern, symbol, characters or a representation, in a further electroplating process, the application 20 a chrome layer 38 in the worn areas. During this electroplating process, chromium is deposited on the exposed areas of the copper layer 32 deposited. Therefore, only the exposed areas are provided with chrome, so that very fine chrome lines can be generated.

After application 20 In a further process step, it is also possible to apply a coating with a clearcoat of the entire component. However, this is not mandatory.

Furthermore, in the method it is possible to subject the complete component to the aforementioned method steps or only a partial area of the component.

The 2a to 2e show various stages in the method of manufacturing a component having at least one chrome plated area 36 ,

2a shows a plastic body 30 , Unlike in 2a shown, the plastic body 30 also take other forms. For the sake of clarity is designed as a cuboid plastic body 30 shown in section.

The production of the plastic body 30 and the shaping can be done for example in an injection molding process.

2 B shows the plastic body 30 after a pretreatment, in which the plastic body 30 has been made galvanizable. For this purpose, palladium nuclei were introduced into the free spaces created by dissolving out the butadiene components. 2 B shows the plastic body 30 on average, after a copper layer 32 has been applied. The application of the copper layer 32 takes place in a galvanic process and is known from the prior art.

2c shows the plastic body 30 with the copper layer 32 after a further process step, wherein the copper layer 32 a paint layer 34 or a plastic layer has been applied from a non-electroplatable paint or plastic. 2c again shows a sectional view.

2d shows the plastic body 30 with the copper layer 32 , the paint layer 34 after using a laser areas 36 in the paint layer 34 were uncovered. As in 2d shown, the free-fibers is carried out such that only areas 36 the paint layer 34 be removed. The areas 36 can be made very thin by the laser, so that structures with a line width <1 mm are introduced.

2e shows the plastic body 30 with the copper layer 32 , the paint layer 34 and in the fields 36 on the copper layer 32 introduced chrome layers 38 , The deposition of chromium on the over the areas 36 exposed portions of the copper layer 32 takes place in a further electroplating process. This is an electrochemical deposition of chromium on the exposed portions of the copper layer 32 carried out.

The finished component can then be provided with a clear coat. The method described herein makes it possible to easily produce very fine chrome structures on plastic bodies 30 as well as on plastic surfaces or painted surfaces. Such components can be used for example in motor vehicles. As an example, the decoration of trim parts should be mentioned in particular. Another possibility is to provide, for example, a key fob or a housing of a vehicle key with very fine chrome lines by introducing very fine chromium layers into the laser-exposed areas. The fine chromium layer / chrome lines may, for example, include the nameplate logo, its logo or the owner of a vehicle.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

manufacturing

12

preparation

14

apply

16

apply

18

wear

20

chroming

30

Plastic body

32

copper layer

34

paint layer

36

Area

38

chromium layer

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202013009793 U1 [0007, 0007, 0008]

Claims (8)

Method for producing a component having at least one chromed region, comprising the following steps: - producing a galvanisable component from a plastic, - applying a copper layer ( 32 ) on the component by a galvanic process, - applying a non-galvanisable lacquer layer ( 34 ) on the copper layer ( 32 ), - removal of the non-galvanisable lacquer layer ( 34 ) in at least one area ( 36 ) by means of a laser, and - depositing a chromium layer ( 38 ) by a galvanic process on the copper layer ( 32 ) in the at least one area ( 36 ) of the component in which the lacquer layer ( 34 ) has been removed.  The method of claim 1, wherein the component is made of a galvanisable plastic in an injection molding process.  The method of claim 1, wherein the component made of a non-galvanisable plastic in an injection molding process and then applied a galvanisable layer on the component or a surface of the component is made galvanisable. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the area ( 36 ) has a pattern, a symbol and / or a character.  The method of claim 1, 2 or 4, wherein the plastic is an ABS plastic (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), an ABS-polycarbonate blend or a PA plastic (polyamide).  The method of claim 5, wherein producing the electroplatable plastic component comprises the steps of: - pickling the plastic and dissolving out the butadiene component, and - Storage of palladium seeds in activation and acceleration baths. Plastic component with at least one chromed area ( 36 ) prepared according to any one of the methods of claims 1 to 6. Component according to claim 7, wherein the at least one region ( 36 ) has at least one section with a width <1.5 mm.

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