EP0849379A2 - Improvement in the surface finishing method for aesthetical component parts of transportation means - Google Patents
Improvement in the surface finishing method for aesthetical component parts of transportation means Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0849379A2 EP0849379A2 EP97119529A EP97119529A EP0849379A2 EP 0849379 A2 EP0849379 A2 EP 0849379A2 EP 97119529 A EP97119529 A EP 97119529A EP 97119529 A EP97119529 A EP 97119529A EP 0849379 A2 EP0849379 A2 EP 0849379A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- layer
- corrosion
- phases
- finish
- phase
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
Images
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
-
- 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
- C25D5/48—After-treatment of electroplated surfaces
-
- 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
-
- 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
- C25D5/627—Electroplating characterised by the visual appearance of the layers, e.g. colour, brightness or mat appearance
Definitions
- the present invention refers to the methods that are used to apply a "metallized" finish to component parts made of plastic material, which are adapted to be mounted on outer decorative surfaces of transportation means, incl. not only motor vehicles such as cars, but also motor cycles, boats and aircraft.
- Plastic material are largely known to be by now widely used to manufacture component parts of the above cited kind, even those that are quite complicated in their shape or design, which require a land of surface finish which must not only be particularly attractive, especially in connection with their use in top-of-range models, but must also be capable of ensuring long-term durability by appropriately withstanding the most critical and severe ambient conditions (high temperatures, marine ambient, corrosion due to salt and/or sand strewn over the road surface in winter to limit the effects of ice formation).
- polymer alloys such as for instance an ABS-PC alloy (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene and Polycarbonates).
- Such component parts are caused to undergo a finishing process consisting in applying layers of metal materials that are capable of conferring a special combination of colour and brightness (ie. the so-called "metallization") to the decorative surfaces thereof.
- metal materials that are capable of conferring a special combination of colour and brightness (ie. the so-called "metallization"
- gun barrel that calls for the application by galvanic methods, onto the surfaces of such a kind of parts, of at least a layer of metal material to impart said "metallization" effect, the need arising then to protect said layer by means of successive layers of a clear lacquer in view of conferring long-term resistance to the afore mentioned most severe ambient conditions.
- a largely known surface finish process for radiator grilles of motor vehicles includes following sequence of phases that are carried out after the phase(a) in which the part is injection-moulded:
- the invention has essentially the advantage of enhancing the uniformity of the subsequent deposit of the layer that brings about the "metallization" of the part (ie. the 60%-40% nickel-tin alloy) when said deposit is made on an industrial scale.
- the present invention has the advantage of reducing production rejects and scraps, ensures that the chromatic, ie. decorative effects of the "metallization” do not undergo any alteration or change in the course of time, and finally improves the durability characteristics of the so finished parts.
- This particular advantage of an improved durability is demonstrated by the fact that automotive grilles produced by the Applicant in accordance with the present invention unfailingly pass the 72-hour Cass Test, the Florida Test and the test in the humidostatic chamber.
- the method according to the present invention has been described with reference to a "gun-barrel metallization" finishing application, it will be readily appreciated that further applications may be developed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- the "metallizing" layer may be constituted by other metals, such as for instance ruthenium. It will be also appreciated that the invention is valid and applies regardless of the manner in which the traditional phases of the finishing process are carried out, eg. the final painting or lacquering phases (i) and (j) may be carried out with an electrophoretic method instead of an electrostatic one.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
- Coating With Molten Metal (AREA)
- Finish Polishing, Edge Sharpening, And Grinding By Specific Grinding Devices (AREA)
- Coating By Spraying Or Casting (AREA)
- Road Repair (AREA)
- Electroplating Methods And Accessories (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- Figure 1 is a flow-chart of the surface finishing process inclusive of the above cited improvements;
- Figure 2 is a schematical, cross-sectional view of an automotive grille at the end of a surface finishing process that includes, as intermediate phases, the improving phases according to the present invention;
- Figure 3 is a schematical, cross-sectional view of the same automotive grille during the execution of the same improving phases according to the present invention.
- The reference numeral 1 is used to generally indicate the structure of the grille for automotive applications, which is manufactured by injection moulding starting from a ABS-PC polymer blend, eg. Bayer's "Babyblend T45", in the phase (a);
- the
reference numeral 2 is used to indicate a layer of nickel having a thickness of approx. 3 µm; such a layer is applied chemically, ie. by dipping, in the phase (b) onto the above cited structure in order to make the surface thereof electrically conductive and, as a result, to allow for the subsequent metal layers to be deposited galvanically in the phases from (c) to (g) as described below; - the
reference numeral 3 is used to indicate a layer of a first corrosion inhibiting metal, preferably copper, with a thickness in the order of 25 µm, obtained in the phase (c); - the
reference numeral 4 is used to indicate a first layer of a second corrosion-inhibiting metal having a different electrochemical potential as compared to the first one, obtained in the phase (d); preferably use is made here of columnar-type, semiglossy nickel applied to a thickness in the order of 10 µm; - the
reference numeral 5 is used to indicate a second layer of said second corrosion-inhibiting metal, which however is of a different type, obtained in the phase (e); more precisely, use is made here of lamellar-type glossy nickel applied to a thickness in the order of 5 µm, which, as for the columnar-type nickel of thelayer 4, is activated in the subsequent phase (f) in view of obtaining a good adhesion of the final metal layer, as described below; - the
reference numeral 6 indicates the layer which, obtained in the phase (g), is capable of conferring the grille its "metallized" outloook, ie. the so-called "gun barrel" finish; use is made here of a layer of 60%-40% nickel-tin alloy, applied to a thickness of, say, approx. 1 µm; - the reference numeral 7 indicates a layer of acrylic-base clear lacquer primer having a thickness of, say., approx. 15 µm, which is applied by spraying in the phase (i);
- the
reference numeral 8 indicates a final layer of a polyurethane-based clear lacquer having a thickness of, say, approx. 25 µm, which is also applied by spraying in the phase (j).
Claims (3)
- Method for applying a "metallized" surface finish to component parts made of plastic material, which are adapted to be mounted on outer decorative surfaces of transportation means, such as automotive vehicles and motor cycles, comprising the phases of:chemical metallization of the plastic material,galvanization with successive deposit of layers of at least two corrosion-inhibiting metals having a different electrochemical potential,activation of the outer layer of corrosion-inhibiting metal,application of the metal layer adapted to confer the desired aesthetical finish to the part,heat treatment to remove stresses,coating with at least a layer of clear lacquer to the purpose of protecting the above cited aesthetical finish,
characterized in that following phases are carried out successively between the above cited phases of deposit of corrosion-inhibiting metals and activation of the same metals:galvanization under deposition of a chromium layer,storage of the part at ambient temperature, anyway not in excess of 30°C, for a period of time not shorter than approx. 24 hours;removal of said chromium layer. - Method according to claim 1, characterized in that during said phase in which the part is so kept at ambient temperature, said part is not exposed to any mechanical stress.
- Component part for automotive vehicles, motor bikes and the like, adapted to be mounted on an outer surface thereof, made of plastic material and characterized in that it is provided with a surface finish obtained with the method according to claim 1 or 2.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITPN960067 | 1996-12-20 | ||
IT96PN000067A IT1289401B1 (en) | 1996-12-20 | 1996-12-20 | IMPROVED PROCEDURE FOR SURFACE FINISHING OF AESTHETIC COMPONENTS OF TRANSPORT MEANS |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0849379A2 true EP0849379A2 (en) | 1998-06-24 |
EP0849379A3 EP0849379A3 (en) | 1998-08-12 |
EP0849379B1 EP0849379B1 (en) | 2002-02-20 |
Family
ID=11395203
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP97119529A Expired - Lifetime EP0849379B1 (en) | 1996-12-20 | 1997-11-07 | Improvement in the surface finishing method for aesthetical component parts of transportation means |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0849379B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69710567T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2172728T3 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1289401B1 (en) |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4429020A (en) * | 1980-05-22 | 1984-01-31 | Daniel Luch | Metal-polymer composite and method of making said composite |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS5483638A (en) * | 1977-12-16 | 1979-07-03 | Kawasaki Heavy Ind Ltd | Chromium plating method for cylinder of cast aluminum alloy |
-
1996
- 1996-12-20 IT IT96PN000067A patent/IT1289401B1/en active IP Right Grant
-
1997
- 1997-11-07 ES ES97119529T patent/ES2172728T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-11-07 DE DE69710567T patent/DE69710567T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-11-07 EP EP97119529A patent/EP0849379B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4429020A (en) * | 1980-05-22 | 1984-01-31 | Daniel Luch | Metal-polymer composite and method of making said composite |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
DATABASE WPI Section Ch, Week 7933 Derwent Publications Ltd., London, GB; Class M11, AN 79-60411B XP002068651 & JP 54 083 638 A (KAWASAKI HEAVY IND LTD) * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ITPN960067A1 (en) | 1998-06-20 |
DE69710567D1 (en) | 2002-03-28 |
IT1289401B1 (en) | 1998-10-02 |
DE69710567T2 (en) | 2002-07-11 |
EP0849379A3 (en) | 1998-08-12 |
EP0849379B1 (en) | 2002-02-20 |
ES2172728T3 (en) | 2002-10-01 |
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