EP2108716A2 - Method for Electroplating a plastic substrate - Google Patents
Method for Electroplating a plastic substrate Download PDFInfo
- 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- Withdrawn
Links
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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.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (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
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.
- 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. - 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)
- 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; andelectroplating a second chrome coating onto the first chrome coating using a second electrolyte including a chromyl component.
- The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic substrate is made from one of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, poly methyl methacrylate, and polycarbonate.
- The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the noble metal coating is made of palladium.
- The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the copper coating is formed by electroplating.
- The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the copper coating is formed by physical vapor deposition.
- The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first electrolyte includes boric acid.
- The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chromic component is one of chrome sulfate and chrome chloride.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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; andelectroplating a second chrome coating onto the first chrome coating using a chromyl electrolyte including a chromyl component.
- The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plastic substrate is made from one of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, poly methyl methacrylate, and polycarbonate.
- The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the noble metal coating is made of palladium.
- The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the copper coating is formed by electroplating.
- The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the copper coating is formed by physical vapor deposition.
- The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the chromic electrolyte includes boric acid and a chromic salt.
- The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the chromic salt is one of chrome sulfate and chrome chloride.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Family Applications (1)
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)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090255823A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2108716A3 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101555614B (en) |
Cited By (2)
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)
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 |
Citations (6)
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 |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
-
2008
- 2008-04-11 CN CN2008103011017A patent/CN101555614B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2009
- 2009-04-01 US US12/416,246 patent/US20090255823A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2009-04-06 EP EP09157429.3A patent/EP2108716A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
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)
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 |
CN101555614B (en) | 2011-03-30 |
US20090255823A1 (en) | 2009-10-15 |
CN101555614A (en) | 2009-10-14 |
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