EP1745163A1

EP1745163A1 - Verfahren zur herstellung von galvanisierten sanitärgegenständen aus kunststoff

Info

Publication number: EP1745163A1
Application number: EP06743085A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Fath
Original assignee: Hansgrohe SE
Current assignee: Hansgrohe SE
Priority date: 2005-06-03
Filing date: 2006-05-30
Publication date: 2007-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-30
Also published as: US20070251826A1; DE102005026633A1; JP2008542538A; WO2006128664A1; ATE502136T1; US8011100B2; DE502006009087D1; EP1745163B1

Abstract

In a method for producing plastic sanitary articles having surfaces metallized by electroplating, the sanitary article has at least one electrically nonconductive component, before said article is metallized by electroplating using an external current source. This component at least partially decouples the water-bearing regions of the sanitary article from the current flow during metallization by electroplating using the external current source. The component is preferably a separate component which can be reversibly connected to the sanitary article. The invention also includes the component for decoupling the current itself, and a sanitary article which is provided with the component.

Description

description

Process for the production of galvanized sanitary articles

plastic

The invention relates in the first place to a method for producing sanitary articles made of plastic with galvanically metallized surfaces, a component which can be used in this method and sanitary articles provided with this component.

Galvanized plastics, d. H. Plastic materials with metallic coatings have become indispensable in the manufacture of sanitary items. The preferred plastic material here is, for example, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), which is especially galvanized with chromium as the outermost surface layer. The production of galvanized plastic sanitary items is rational and inexpensive to carry out in particular because of unnecessary grinding and polishing effort, as it is necessary for metal bodies. Added to this are the favorable design options resulting from the use of plastic injection technology and a significant reduction in weight compared with sanitary articles with metal bodies.

The said galvanized plastic sanitary articles are produced in process steps which are basically known to the person skilled in the art. Thus, a pretreatment process is usually necessary in order to render the plastic surface electrically conductive in order to ensure adequate adhesion of the metal layers applied galvanically with current (ie with external current source) to the plastic. Normally, with the normally currentless pretreatment, all surface areas of the treated article are rendered electrically conductive. This is mainly because the treatment used for electroless pre-treatment solutions to all external and internal surfaces of the article. In the case of sanitary articles, this means that even the water-bearing areas with their corresponding surfaces at least partially become electrically conductive during this pretreatment. This in turn has the consequence that also in the subsequent galvanic metallization deposited with external power source metals, such as chromium, can be found on the corresponding surfaces of the water-bearing areas. In this context, it is also said that the metals used in the electroless pre-treatment and in the galvanic metallization with external power source "scatter" into the water-bearing areas of the sanitary object Depending on the metal used, this scattering can vary widely.

In the case of such sanitary articles with metal deposits in the water-bearing areas, there is in principle the danger that the corresponding metals will migrate into the water or the corresponding metal layers even become detached. This applies in particular if the sanitary objects are used in geographical areas in which only a comparatively aggressive drinking water is available, for example drinking water with a high sulphate content, high oxygen content and / or comparatively low pH of <7. Dysfunction can thereby occur in that the deposited metal layers, e.g. B. copper and / or nickel layers, are infiltrated and peel off in a bauble. In many sanitary items, such as hand showers with injected water channel and in the water distribution chamber in the shower head, this leads to clogging of the jet disk. In mixing valves with corresponding design features, the perlators etc. can become clogged. In addition, there is the possibility that all the sanitary objects flowing through the water-bearing areas Water / drinking water is contaminated by chemical dissolution of the deposited metals with a variety of metals.

At least in the water-bearing areas so no metallic coating should be deposited in the galvanic metallization with external power source. This problem is also known from other technical fields, in which electrically non-conductive objects are to be coated locally with metals. Thus, the German patent DE-C3-1801819 describes a method in which objects (there control buttons for radios) are to be only partially electroplated. This is achieved there by the fact that on the surface of the article narrow indentations / grooves are introduced. Thereby, the conductivity for certain surface areas should be reduced so that no metal is deposited in these areas in galvanic metallization with external power source. Even the fact that according to this patent, the depth and the incision angle of the notch must be matched to the applied current density, makes the described method not sufficiently reliable production. In addition, the required notches / grooves can not be mounted on each surface, as these can not be removed later.

In order to solve this problem in the field of sanitary engineering, the applicant himself proposed in WO 03/096859 A2 to apply a covering layer or protective layer to at least a part of the surfaces of the sanitary object in order to connect the water-carrying areas of the sanitary object with the external galvanic metallization Disconnect power source from current flow. The corresponding layers consist of a lacquer which is applied in a suitable manner, in particular by printing in the so-called tampon printing process. However, this approach can lead to difficulties in practical use. On the one hand, the preferred tampon printing process is a comparatively sophisticated technique that can only be mastered by qualified personnel. Furthermore, the cover / protective layer must be applied to sanitary objects to relatively complicated geometries, which in turn requires qualified personnel and a lot of time. Finally, the paints used for the corresponding layers are complicated to use and sometimes physiologically questionable, so that appropriate precautions must be taken in production.

All these difficulties have in practice meant that the problem is circumvented by various manufacturers from the outset, for example by the fact that after a galvanic coating subsequently a separate hose part in the water-carrying part of the sanitary object, for example the shower head is inserted. As a result, the water flows through this additionally inserted hose and does not come into contact with the inner walls of the sanitary object. It is understood, however, that by this procedure, a further process step must be incorporated into the production of the corresponding sanitary object.

Accordingly, the object of the invention is to make it possible for plastic plumbing articles to have a targeted galvanic metallization (with current flow) only in certain surface areas. In particular, the deposition of metals in the water-bearing areas of the sanitary object should be reliably prevented. The process should be as seamless as possible in existing production processes and not affect the quality of the metallization on the decorative surfaces of the sanitary object. This object is achieved by the method with the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of this method are shown in the dependent claims 2 to 15. The component preferably used in this method is defined in claims 16 to 18. Claim 19 describes the sanitary article provided with the component, preferred embodiments of this sanitary article being content of the dependent claims 20 to 28. An inventive product carrier for electroplating is disclosed in claims 29 and 30. The wording of all claims is hereby incorporated by reference into the content of this specification.

In the method according to the invention for the production of sanitary articles made of plastic with galvanically metallized surfaces, the sanitary object before the galvanic metallization with an external power source at least one electrically non-conductive component, which at least partially the water-bearing areas of the sanitary object in the galvanic metallization with the external power source , preferably completely, decoupled from the current flow.

For the decoupling of the water-bearing areas of the sanitary object so in contrast to the embodiment in WO 03/096859 a component is used and no cover or protective layer. This leads to some decisive advantages, which will be explained in more detail below.

The mentioned component can be formed in the inventive method in a first group of embodiments of the sanitary object itself. The component forms in these embodiments, quasi a part of the sanitary object itself. In this case, the component can be integrated into the construction of the sanitary object, that it after fulfilling its function to decouple the water-bearing areas from the flow of electricity can remain on the sanitary object. It may also be preferable if this component can be removed or separated from the sanitary object after fulfilling its function, for example by the presence of a suitable predetermined breaking point, with the aid of which the component can be separated from the sanitary object itself by hand or with a suitable tool.

In a second group of preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention, said component is designed as a preferably separate component which can be connected to the sanitary object or can interact with it in a comparable manner. Again, the component is in particular designed so that it is reversibly connectable to the sanitary object, d. H. after fulfilling its function in a simple manner can be removed from the sanitary object again.

In such embodiments, the preferably separate component with the sanitary object is preferably plugged together, in particular in this plugged. This makes it possible to realize the aforementioned reversible connectivity with the sanitary object in a simple manner.

In the aforementioned embodiments, the preferably separate component is preferably designed in the manner of a sleeve. In this way, it can interact with the corresponding water-bearing parts of a sanitary object, which usually have circular cross-sectional areas. The necessary seal between the sleeve-like component and the sanitary object is z. B. achieved by the outer surface of the component or by a section or projection provided there together with the inner surface of the article or there provided (circumferential) notch or groove. To ensure a tight fit between the component and the sanitary At least one sealing element is preferably located at the sleeve-like components mentioned on the outer circumference of the component, wherein these sealing elements are, in particular, conventional sealing rings.

In further embodiments of the invention, in which a preferably separate component is used, this component is preferably at least partially introduced into the sanitary object. This can be realized, for example, by placing the component in a recess or recess provided on the sanitary object, in particular in the manner of a (preferably circumferential) groove. In these cases, the preferably separate component is preferably of annular design, which may also be, in particular, conventional sealing rings.

In a further development recesses or openings are provided in the invention in the described component, which can serve different purposes. In particular, such recesses or openings serve to receive holding elements for the component, ie. H. those holding elements that are necessary or useful for the function of the component in the galvanic metallization.

In the method according to the invention, fundamentally different sanitary articles can be galvanically metallized. Preferred sanitary items are sanitary outlet devices such as fittings, showers, hand showers and the like. Preferably, these are sanitary articles, in whose production the water-bearing parts or areas are injected with the same.

In particular, the sanitary article which is galvanically metallized according to the invention is a shower or a shower head, preferably a hand shower. In such a sanitary object, the described component is provided at the so-called water inlet and / or at the so-called water outlet. The exact arrangement of the component on the sanitary object will also be explained later in connection with the drawings.

In the latter embodiments, the component is preferably formed as a sleeve-like component and then provided on or in the water inlet. In a likewise preferred manner, the component can also be designed as a sealing ring and then be provided on or preferably in the water inlet.

In a comparable manner, in such embodiments, the component is preferably designed as a sealing ring and then provided at the water outlet, or the component is preferably designed as a sleeve-like component and then provided at the water outlet.

The component described in connection with the invention is preferably made of plastic. In particular, PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) may be used here as plastic.

In the invention, the sanitary object itself, in particular the shower or shower head, made of plastic, wherein preferably a so-called thermoplastic material is used. In particular, the sanitary article is made of ABS in these cases.

In addition to the described method according to the invention, the invention also includes the already described component itself, which is used for the production of sanitary articles made of plastic with galvanic metallic sated surfaces is provided by galvanic metallization with external power source. This component is inventively characterized in that it is made of an electrically non-conductive material and formed in the manner of a sleeve.

This component according to the invention preferably has on the outer circumference at least one sealing element, preferably at least one sealing ring. Further, the component may in particular recesses or openings, which are provided for receiving retaining elements for the component in the exercise of its function. With regard to the disclosure of the component according to the invention, reference is expressly made to the corresponding passages in the description of the method according to the invention and referenced.

Finally, the invention also includes sanitary articles made of plastic, in particular showers or shower heads, which are connected to at least one separate component, which at least partially decouples the water-carrying areas of the sanitary object from the current flow during a galvanic metallization with an external current source.

With regard to the detailed configuration of the sanitary articles according to the invention, reference may be made to the above description in connection with the method according to the invention. The corresponding statements are hereby expressly also valid for the description of the sanitary article according to the invention.

Thus, as already described, the component directly, for example in one piece, be molded to the sanitary object. After performing the function, the component can then either remain on the sanitary object or be separated from this again. In other embodiments, as they have also already been shown, the component can be reversibly connectable to the sanitary object. Here it has also been stated that then preferably the component with the sanitary object can be plugged together or inserted into this. As a constructive alternatives here are mentioned sleeve-like components or the described annular components, wherein recesses or openings may be provided in the component. The component is, as mentioned, preferably made of plastic, in particular PVDF or PTFE.

The sanitary article according to the invention is preferably a hand shower. The sanitary article is preferably made of a thermoplastic material, in particular of ABS.

Finally, the invention also includes a goods carrier in the form of a galvanic frame, which is provided according to the invention with at least one of the described sleeve-shaped components according to the invention. As will be explained later, these components can be applied to the goods carrier, ie the electroplating rack, before the sanitary articles to be electroplated are applied. In particular, the components can be fastened via the recesses and openings preferably provided there to corresponding holding elements of the goods carrier. In this way, then the sanitary objects can be attached directly to the components on the goods carrier, for example, inserted into the corresponding openings of a hand shower and also contacted. This facilitates the work processes in the production. The components can then optionally remain on the goods carrier and also be used for the galvanization of other sanitary items. The invention has a number of advantages over the initially described prior art.

Thus, the decoupling of the water-bearing areas or parts of the sanitary object in the invention is carried out with a component which is either formed on the object or in a simple manner connectable to this. This eliminates the subsequent application of a Abdeckoder protective layer, which, as mentioned above, is relatively complicated and time consuming. In addition, in the invention must not be handled with chemical substances such as paints or the like, so that no corresponding regulations for occupational safety must be complied with. Finally, in the case of the invention, the components described can optionally be removed again in a simple manner from the sanitary object, which is either not possible at all or only with great effort in the application of covering or protective layers. With appropriate design, the components can even be reused after their removal from the sanitary object. Finally, in the invention, further functions can be integrated into the component, for example a holder of the sanitary object in the galvanic metallization can be provided over the component (see the optionally existing recesses or openings). In addition, the invention can be integrated in a special way in processes in which the plastic objects are made conductive by the so-called direct metallization process (see later).

All this makes the invention superior to the described embodiments in the prior art.

Before describing individual components according to the invention and a sanitary article according to the invention, a brief discussion will now be given on a typical procedure for the metallic galvanization of sanitary articles. These only exemplary Description is intended to better understand the process of the invention.

In a further development, the method according to the invention is preferably configured such that the surfaces of the sanitary object are pretreated with external current source prior to the galvanic metallization. This is preferably true for all surfaces. Here pretreatment steps can be applied, as they are known from the prior art.

The pretreatment preferably comprises at least one degreasing or pickling step, in which case a pretreatment with an oxidizing agent should be mentioned in particular. In principle, a wide variety of oxidizing agents can be used here, for example potassium permanganate solution, it being possible for different agents to be selected depending on the plastic material used for the sanitary object. Preferred oxidizing agents are acids, in which case a treatment with chromic acid-containing solutions (with or without sulfuric acid) is to be emphasized. The pretreatment with chromic acid-containing solutions is particularly suitable for plastic articles made of ABS.

Further, the pretreatment in the inventive method preferably comprises at least one activation step, which usually follows the degreasing or pickling step. The activation can take place in several steps, with activation in two steps being preferred.

Activation is carried out according to the invention, in particular a so-called electroless chemical metallization. In this case, metals are deposited without external power source of suitable solutions. Here, various procedures are known which are separated from each other or in combination with each other can be applied.

On the one hand, solutions for chemical metallization can be used which contain tin or palladium. In the case of tin, the solutions preferably contain tin ions, while the palladium may be contained in the solutions in ionic form or else in metallic form (preferably colloidal).

On the other hand, the chemical metallization can be carried out with the aid of solutions containing cobalt ions. These cobalt ions are then converted to cobalt sulfide in a second step.

In certain cases, for example in the case of the chemical metallization with tin or palladium, preferably another electroless chemical metallization may follow. Copper ion and / or preferably nickel ion-containing solutions can then be used for this further metallization.

On the chemical metallization can be omitted if a so-called direct metallization is used to make the plastic conductive. Direct metallization means that after pretreatment and activation, an electrolytic layer (under current flow) can be built directly. This reduces the number of production steps and simplifies the process as a whole. Especially when using such direct metallizations method of the invention brings with its component according to the invention additional advantages, since then a total metallization of the water-bearing parts of a sanitary object can be reliably prevented and the process is further simplified on the whole.

In preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention, in the case of galvanic metallization with external current source, which are particularly suitable for the abovementioned pretreatment steps, closes, preferably applied layers of nickel, copper or chromium. Here, chromium is to be mentioned as the preferred metal.

Furthermore, it is preferred if, during the galvanic metallization with an external current source, layers, and in particular outermost cover layers, of at least one noble metal or of binary, ternary or quaternary alloys of such metals are applied. The advantages of such metals as layers, in particular cover layers, are obvious because of their chemical resistance. Preferred precious metals here are gold and the metals of the group of the so-called platinum metals.

According to the invention, it is further preferred if, during the galvanic metallization with external current source, a layer sequence is applied in which this layer sequence terminates with an outermost covering layer of chromium. The advantages of a chromium plating as the outermost cover layer also need not be emphasized and are known in the art. In these embodiments, those are still preferred in which layers of nickel and / or copper are located below the covering layer of chromium.

In a further development, the method according to the invention can be configured in such a way that after the galvanic metallization with external current source, a post-treatment takes place. This aftertreatment preferably relates to all surfaces of the sanitary article. The aftertreatment consists, in particular, of a so-called stripping, in which a conductive layer (metal layers), which is optionally applied by electroless chemical deposition, is removed again. This stripping is preferably carried out by treating the corresponding surfaces with an oxidizing agent, in particular an oxidizing acid. The oxidizing agent may be, in particular, nitric acid or solutions which are in particular persulphate. fat or hydrogen peroxide. Stripping preferably removes all metal layers that have not been current deposited. In this way, the water-bearing parts of the sanitary object are completely metal-free, so that the disadvantages listed above can not occur. There remain only metal layers on those surfaces, in particular on the decorative surfaces where this can be accepted and which can not be detached when using the sanitary object, eg. B. the chrome layers of the outermost cover layer.

The described features and further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the subclaims and the drawings. In this case, the individual features can be implemented individually or in combination with each other.

In the drawings show:

1 is a schematic sectional view of a component according to the invention, as used in the inventive method,

Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of another component according to the invention, as used in the inventive method, and

Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a sanitary object according to the invention with inventive component.

Fig. 1 shows the component 1 according to the invention in sectional view. This component is made of PVDF in a conventional manner known to those skilled in the art. The component 1 is designed in the manner of a sleeve with a circular cross-sectional area and has a first section 2, to which a second section 3 immediately adjoins. Section 3 has a peripheral on the outer circumference of the component 1 projection 4, which forms a groove-like recess 6 together with another projection 5. In this recess 6, a sealing element 7 is inserted in the form of a sealing ring, which projects beyond the projections 4 and 5 and thus provides a corresponding sealing surface for the component 1 to the outside. The interaction of the sealing element 7 with the corresponding surfaces of a sanitary object will be explained in more detail below, in connection with FIG. 3.

In section 2 of the component 1 there are two, mutually opposite openings 8 a and 8 b, which can accommodate at least one holding element for the component 1. This will also be explained in more detail in connection with FIG.

At the ends 9 of section 2 and 10 of the section 3, the walls of the component 1 are reduced. As a result, the introduction and removal of the component from the corresponding openings of the sanitary article is facilitated by the increased elasticity of the corresponding regions.

As is apparent from Fig. 1, the component 1 is an embodiment of the component according to the invention, in which the component 1 is designed as a separate component. It can interact with a sanitary object in the manner shown in FIG. 3 and assume its function in galvanic metallization. Fig. 2 shows a further inventive component 1 'in sectional view. Since its structure is similar to the structure of the component 1, reference can be made to the description of the component 1. For green For reasons of clarity, the same reference numerals have also been used to a large extent.

The component 1 'is also configured in the manner of a sleeve with a circular cross-sectional area. At its lower end 10 according to FIG. 2, the component V has a projection 4 which extends on the outer circumference and can cooperate sealingly with a corresponding recess on a sanitary object. The sealing function is ensured despite dispensing with an additional sealing element 7 with respect to the embodiment of the component according to the invention shown in FIG. This simplifies the construction and production of the component 1 'relative to the component 1.

In addition, the component V also has two opposing openings 8a and 8b, which can receive at least one holding element for the component 1. For this purpose, reference may also be made to the description in connection with FIG. 3. At (according to FIG. 2 upper) end 9 of the component 1, the wall thickness is also reduced in order to facilitate an increased elasticity for the introduction and removal of the component from the corresponding openings of the sanitary object.

Fig. 3 shows a sanitary object according to the invention in the form of a hand shower 11, which is in a conventional manner known in the art by injection molding, preferably made of ABS. It can be clearly seen the merging water-bearing areas 12a (water chamber) and 12b (water supply channel) with their associated (inner) surfaces. These water-bearing areas are in the functional state of the sanitary object flows through the water / drinking water, in the direction of the water inlet area (water inlet 13) to the water outlet area (water outlet 14). As already explained in the description, in the case of galvanic metallization, metal deposition in the water-conducting regions, ie on the (inner) surfaces of these regions, is to be avoided. For this purpose, according to FIG. 3, a component 1 according to FIG. 1 is introduced into the water inlet 13, in the present case inserted. In this case, the section 3 of the component 1 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into the water inlet 13, wherein the sealing element 7 cooperates with the projection 4 with the inner wall of the water inlet 13 in a form-fitting manner. By means of this sealing connection, a flow of current in the direction of the water-conducting regions (12b, 12a) is reliably prevented during galvanization. The section 2 of the component 1 with its openings 8a and 8b is shown in FIG. 3 out of the water inlet 13 and on the one hand supports the decoupling from the current flow and provides on the other via the openings 8a and 8b a way to mount the component 1 and Hand shower 11 in the galvanic coating itself available.

This holder is accomplished, for example, by passing one or two support rods through the two opposite openings 8a and 8b, wherein the support rods are preferably provided on a product carrier for the galvanic coating of the hand shower 11. In a corresponding manner, other support rods in the region of the water outlet 14 can act on the hand shower 11. Then, the hand shower 11, preferably at the water inlet 13 and the water outlet 14, only to be contacted, and the galvanic deposition can begin.

It is understood that in a corresponding manner, the component 1 'shown in FIG. 2 can be introduced into the hand shower 11. In the case shown in FIG. 3, an inventive component 1 is present only at the water inlet 13. In these cases, the duration of galvanic metallization under current flow can be determined based on experience. be controlled to ensure that only the outer (decorative) surfaces of the hand shower 11 are coated with metal and no (unwanted) coating of water-bearing areas via the water outlet 14 takes place. Since the metal layer grows up in this procedure, starting from the water inlet 13 forth, in these cases, the galvanic coating is simply canceled in time.

However, it is readily possible to provide an inventive component 1 at the water outlet 14, which also ensures there a corresponding decoupling of the water-carrying areas from the current flow. In such cases, for example, be placed over the projection 15 of the water outlet 14, a corresponding inventive component.

It also follows from the explanations of FIG. 3 that other constructions of a component according to the invention are possible for the method according to the invention. Thus, for example, in a corresponding groove on the water inlet 13, a corresponding sealing ring may be provided in a groove mounted there. Then the sealing ring takes over the function of the current decoupling in this groove. Comparable versions can also be realized at the water outlet 14.

example

For further explanation of the process according to the invention, an example of a suitable process procedure is shown below. It goes without saying that the invention should not be limited by this example in any way.

A hand shower, as shown in Fig. 3, made of ABS, z. B. Novodur P2MC (Bayer AG, Germany) or Ronvalin TP55 (BASF AG, Germany) is treated prior to the entire galvanic treatment with a nem component according to the invention, as shown in Fig. 1, provided. For this purpose, the component is inserted in the manner shown in Fig. 3 in the water inlet of the hand shower. With the help of retaining elements then the hand shower is fixed on a galvanic frame. In this case, it is also possible to proceed in such a way that first the components according to the invention are placed on all corresponding holding elements and then the hand-held nozzles are plugged together with the components already fastened to the electroplating frame.

The sprayed body, which has been prepared in this way, runs through the galvano process in the drive-through principle, fixed on the galvanizing stand. This GaI-vano process can look like this, for example:

1. Pickling in 1,000 g / l CrO ₃ , 55 g / l Cr III 65 ⁰ C 10 min or in 380 g / l CrO ₃ , 380 g / l H ₂ SO ₄ , 20 g / l Cr IM

65 ⁰ C 10 min

In both cases, the stains contain some fluorosurfactant such as FT248

(Bayer AG) for better wetting.

2. Reduce residues of hexavalent chromic acid with a solution of 10 g / l hydroxylammonium sulfate

Room temperature 1-2 min.

3. Pretreatment in dilute hydrochloric acid solution

1 part concentrated hydrochloric acid - 2 parts water room temperature 1 min.

4. Activation in a commercially available colloidal Sn / Pd solution, such as Ultraplast activation S41 (Enthone, Langenfeld) 100 mg / l Pd, 5 g / l Sn II

35 ⁰ C 5 min. 5. Accelerating in an oxalic acid-containing solution such as Ultraplast activation S52 (Enthone, Langenfeld)

50 g / l oxalic acid, 55 ⁰ C, 5 min.

6. Chemical nickel plating with commercially available chemical nickel solutions such as Ultraplast Ni-S76 (from Enthone, Langenfeld)

5 g / l Ni 30 g / l Nathum hypophosphite 1 hydrate pH ca. 9.0 37 ⁰ C 10 min

7. Picking in 100 g / l H ₂ SO ₄ room temperature 1 min.

8. Pre-nickel in the sulfamate nickel bath 70 g / l Ni 40 g / l boric acid

10 g / l chloride 50 ⁰ C 2A / dm ² 5-10 min.

After this step, the selective mechanism is already visible. The outer regions have a pre-nickel layer, the water chamber and the inner wall of the water guide channel remain in the state of chemical nickel plating.

9. Picking in 100 g / l H ₂ SO ₄ room temperature 1 min.

10. Bright copper in sulfuric acid copper electrolytes 45 g / l Cu, 100 g / l H ₂ SO ₄

40 mg / l chloride 3A / dm ²

30 min.

Brightener system such as Cuprorapid 1518 (Fa.

Enthone, Langenfeld) 11. Picking (oxidative) Dekabunt SE (from Enthone, Langenfeld) room temperature 1 min.

(System of Na-bisulfate, fluoride and Na-persulfate)

12. Bright nickel (usual Watts approach of nickel sulfate, nickel chloride and boric acid)

70 g / l Ni, 15 g / l chloride, 40 g / l boric acid 60 ° C., 4A / dm ² , 10 min commercial brightener system such as Elpelyt SF (from Enthone, Langenfeld)

13. Cr activation z. B. 10 g / l CrO ₃ , 2 g / l Cr IM 50 mg / l H ₂ SO ₄ , 50 mg / l fluoride room temperature 1 min. can be cathodically supported, approx. 30 mA / dm ²

14. Bright chrome plating 350 g / l CrO ₃ , 2 g / l Cr 1: 1, 4 g / l H ₂ SO ₄ ; 0.6 g / l fluoride

43 ⁰ C 4 min.

15. Reduction of residues of hexavalent chromic acid with a solution of 10 g / l hydroxyl ammonium sulfate room temperature 1-2 min.

16. Dry circulating air 70 ^° C. 10 min.

It is understood that sufficient rinsing operations are to be performed between the individual steps.

17. stripping the conductive layer in the water guide z. B. 2 parts of water - 1 part of nitric acid 53%, room temperature, about 60 sec, until residues of the conductive layer are completely removed. It It goes without saying that this step can also be integrated directly between pos. 15 and 16 in the galvano machine.

The process can be varied in many ways, for. B.

a. Direktmetallisieren:

Replacement of step 4 with a higher Pd concentration colloidal Sn / Pd solution, e.g. B. 240 mg / l

Replacement of Step 5 with an alkaline copper-containing solution to form Pd / Cu clusters

Then you can do without the chemical nickel plating and pre-nickeling. It is directly coppered.

b. Ionogenic activation:

The colloidal Sn / Pd solution can be replaced by a solution containing palladium sulfate, chromic acid and sulfuric acid. The accelerator then contains an organic boron-hydrogen compound and sodium hypophosphite. The process steps 2 and 3 are omitted. The chromium-sulfuric acid as a stain additionally about 10 mg / l Pd - also applies to direct metallization.

c. Only nickel process:

Pre-nickeling (Pos. 8), pickling (Pos. 9), bright copper plating (Pos. 10) are summarized to one step in a sulfamate nickel bath. Pos. 11 must not contain persulfate. It is sufficient H ₂ SO ₄ -Dekapierung.

d. Other cover layers as chromium:

Certainly chrome is the standard surface of sanitary fittings. The top layer could also be made of pure gold, hard gold, Platinum, palladium, ruthenium, etc., as long as the cover layer is resistant to the stripping medium.

Claims

claims

1. A method for the production of sanitary articles made of plastic with galvanically metallized surfaces, wherein the sanitary object before galvanic metallization with an external power source has at least one electrically non-conductive component, the water-carrying areas of the sanitary object in the galvanic metallization with the external power source at least partially decoupled from the current flow.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is the component is a separate component, which is connectable to the sanitary object, preferably reversibly connectable.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the separate component with the sanitary object plugged together, preferably in the sanitary object plugged is.

4. The method according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that it is the component is a sleeve-like component, wherein preferably at least one arranged on the outer circumference of the component sealing element, in particular at least one sealing ring, is provided.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the component is at least partially introduced into the sanitary object, preferably in a provided on the sanitary object groove-like recess can be inserted.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the component is annular, wherein it is preferably the component is a sealing ring.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, preferably according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that recesses or openings are provided in the component, in particular for receiving retaining elements for the component.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is the sanitary object to a so-called shower or a so-called shower head, in particular a hand shower, is.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the component is provided at the so-called water inlet and / or at the so-called water outlet of the shower head or the shower head.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the component is designed as a sleeve-like component and is provided on or preferably in the water inlet.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the component is designed as a sealing ring and is provided on or preferably in the water inlet.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the component is designed as a sealing ring and provided at the water outlet.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the component is designed as a sleeve-like component and is provided at the water outlet.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the component made of plastic, preferably made of PVDF.

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sanitary object, in particular the shower head or the shower head, is made of a thermoplastic material, in particular ABS.

16. component (1) for the production of sanitary articles made of plastic with galvanically metallized surfaces by galvanic metallization with external power source, characterized in that the component is made of an electrically non-conductive material and is formed in the manner of a sleeve.

17. Component according to claim 16, characterized in that it has at least one arranged on the outer circumference of the component sealing element, preferably at least one sealing ring (7).

18. Component according to claim 16 or claim 17, characterized in that it has recesses or openings (8a, 8b), in particular for receiving retaining elements for the component.

19. sanitary object (11) made of plastic, in particular shower or shower head, characterized in that it is connected to at least one preferably separate component (1), the water-carrying areas of the sanitary object in a galley vanish metallization with external power source at least partially decoupled from the current flow.

20. Sanitary article according to claim 19, characterized in that the component is reversibly connectable to the sanitary object.

21. Sanitary article according to claim 19 or claim 20, characterized in that the component is plugged together with the sanitary object, wherein preferably the component is inserted into the sanitary object.

22. Sanitary article according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that it is the component is a sleeve-like component, wherein preferably at least one sealing element (7), preferably at least one sealing ring, is provided on the outer circumference of the component.

23. Sanitary article according to claim 19 or claim 20, characterized in that the component is inserted into the sanitary object, preferably in a provided on the sanitary object groove-like depression.

24. Sanitary article according to claim 23, characterized in that the component is an annular component, preferably a sealing ring.

25. Sanitary article according to one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that on the component recesses or openings (8a, 8b) are provided, in particular for receiving retaining elements for the component.

26. Sanitary article according to one of claims 19 to 25, characterized in that the component made of plastic, in particular of PVDF or PTFE _{1 is} made.

27. Sanitary article according to one of claims 19 to 26, characterized in that it is the sanitary object is a hand shower.

28. Sanitary article according to one of claims 19 to 27, characterized in that the sanitary object is made of a thermoplastic material, in particular of ABS.

29. Goods carrier in the form of a Galvanikgestells, characterized in that it is provided with at least one, preferably a plurality of components, according to one of claims 16 to 18.

30. A product carrier according to claim 29, characterized in that provided on the product carrier holding elements are guided by recesses or openings provided in the component.