US20090255824A1 - Method for surface treating a substrate - Google Patents
Method for surface treating a substrate Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090255824A1 US20090255824A1 US12/416,248 US41624809A US2009255824A1 US 20090255824 A1 US20090255824 A1 US 20090255824A1 US 41624809 A US41624809 A US 41624809A US 2009255824 A1 US2009255824 A1 US 2009255824A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- metal coating
- substrate
- coating
- metal
- copper
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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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
- C25D3/00—Electroplating: Baths therefor
- C25D3/02—Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions
- C25D3/38—Electroplating: Baths therefor from solutions of copper
-
- 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
-
- 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
- C25D5/34—Pretreatment of metallic surfaces to be electroplated
-
- 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
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method for surface treating a substrate.
- Mobile devices such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, or MP3 players, enable consumers to enjoy the convenience of high technology services, almost anytime and at virtually any location. These mobile devices often employ a variety of decorative housings to attract consumers. Electroplating is an attractive and effective process for improving corrosion resistance and metallic appearance of the housings. Many housings for mobile devices are processed to form metal coatings on surfaces thereof by electroplating.
- electroplated housings can be excessively bright and cause discomfort to the users.
- the FIGURE is a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for surface treating a substrate.
- a method for surface treating a substrate may include the steps S 100 to S 600 .
- a substrate is provided.
- the substrate includes a metallic surface capable of being electroplated with a metal coating.
- the substrate is made of plastic selected from a group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polycarbonate (PC).
- ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
- PMMA poly methyl methacrylate
- PC polycarbonate
- the substrate is metalized by wet chemical deposition. During wet chemical deposition, a surface of the substrate to be metalized is firstly etched so that the surface is roughened. The etching of the substrate allows an activating layer in a subsequent process to be attached to the roughened surface. The etching process may be carried out, for example, in chromic acid, chromosulfuric acid, or potassium permanganate etching solution. An associated cleaning step is then carried out for cleaning the substrate.
- the surface of the substrate is activated in such manner that active metal particles, i.e., noble metal particles, are deposited on the surface of the substrate when being immersed into an activating solution containing hydrochloric acid, polyamide acid, and noble metal salt.
- active metal particles i.e., noble metal particles
- the noble metal salt may include palladium salt.
- the substrate is rinsed with water and then metalized with chemical plating in a copper electrolyte containing copper salt and sulfuric acid, thereby depositing a chemical copper coating on the substrate.
- the surface of the substrate is metalized.
- the substrate can instead be made of metal selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, and alloys thereof.
- a first electroplated metal coating is deposited onto the metalized surface of the plastic substrate by electroplating.
- the first electroplated metal coating may include copper.
- the electroplating may be carried out by immersing the substrate into an electrolyte including at least one of copper sulfate and copper pyrophosphate, with the metalized surface of the plastic substrate being a cathode, and a copper anode being provided and immersed in the electrolyte.
- the thickness of the first electroplated metal coating is in a range from about 10 to about 50 microns.
- step S 300 the first electroplated metal coating is passivated (i.e., has its chemical reactivity reduced) in an oxidizing agent containing chromic acid or chromate salt. That is, the first electroplated metal coating is oxidized to form an oxidized metal film coated thereon, which may protect the first electroplated metal coating from moisture corrosion.
- step S 400 the passiviated first electroplated metal coating then undergoes sand blasting.
- a mixture of quartz sand and water in an air sand blower strike the passiviated first electroplated metal coating, to put a plurality of dispersed and distributed dents in the passiviated first electroplated metal coating.
- the dents cause the first electroplated metal coating to possess a dull frosted appearance, which may be more attractive to consumers.
- the oxidized metal film is partially struck away from the first electroplated metal coating by sand blasting, thereby partially exposing the first electroplated metal coating.
- step S 500 the first electroplated metal coating is repeatedly passivated in the oxidizing agent so as to passiviate the exposed portion thereof.
- step S 600 the first electroplated metal coating is activated to remove the oxidized metal film that covers the first electroplated metal coating.
- the activation is carried out in an electrolyte including sodium hydroxide by an electric current.
- step S 700 the substrate is immersed into hydrofluoric acid to remove the residual quartz sand on the first electroplated metal coating.
- a second electroplated metal coating is electroplated onto the first electroplated metal coating.
- the second electroplated metal coating may be made one of palladium and alloys of tin and copper.
- the thickness of the second electroplated metal coating is in a range from about 2 to about 8 microns and less than that of the first electroplated metal coating.
- the second electroplated metal coating can be further coated with a decorative coating made of chrome, which has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 to about 2 microns and less than that of the second electroplated metal coating.
- the first electroplated metal coating and the second electroplated metal coating may give the substrate a dull frosted appearance attractive to consumers.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Electroplating Methods And Accessories (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a method for surface treating a substrate.
- 2. Discussion of the Related Art
- Mobile devices, such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, or MP3 players, enable consumers to enjoy the convenience of high technology services, almost anytime and at virtually any location. These mobile devices often employ a variety of decorative housings to attract consumers. Electroplating is an attractive and effective process for improving corrosion resistance and metallic appearance of the housings. Many housings for mobile devices are processed to form metal coatings on surfaces thereof by electroplating.
- However, electroplated housings can be excessively bright and cause discomfort to the users.
- Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.
- Many aspects of the method for surface treating a 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 surface treating a substrate.
- The FIGURE is a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for surface treating a substrate.
- Referring to the FIGURE, a method for surface treating a substrate may include the steps S100 to S600.
- In step S100, a substrate is provided. The substrate includes a metallic surface capable of being electroplated with a metal coating.
- According to the exemplary embodiment, the substrate is made of plastic selected from a group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polycarbonate (PC). The substrate is metalized by wet chemical deposition. During wet chemical deposition, a surface of the substrate to be metalized is firstly etched so that the surface is roughened. The etching of the substrate allows an activating layer in a subsequent process to be attached to the roughened surface. The etching process may be carried out, for example, in chromic acid, chromosulfuric acid, or potassium permanganate etching solution. An associated cleaning step is then carried out for cleaning the substrate. Subsequently, the surface of the substrate is activated in such manner that active metal particles, i.e., noble metal particles, are deposited on the surface of the substrate when being immersed into an activating solution containing hydrochloric acid, polyamide acid, and noble metal salt. During activation, the noble metal particles are separated out from the activating solution, dispersed, and deposited on the surface of the substrate. The noble metal salt may include palladium salt. After being activated, the substrate is rinsed with water and then metalized with chemical plating in a copper electrolyte containing copper salt and sulfuric acid, thereby depositing a chemical copper coating on the substrate. As such, the surface of the substrate is metalized. It should be understood that the substrate can instead be made of metal selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, and alloys thereof.
- In step S200, a first electroplated metal coating is deposited onto the metalized surface of the plastic substrate by electroplating. The first electroplated metal coating may include copper. The electroplating may be carried out by immersing the substrate into an electrolyte including at least one of copper sulfate and copper pyrophosphate, with the metalized surface of the plastic substrate being a cathode, and a copper anode being provided and immersed in the electrolyte. The thickness of the first electroplated metal coating is in a range from about 10 to about 50 microns.
- In step S300, the first electroplated metal coating is passivated (i.e., has its chemical reactivity reduced) in an oxidizing agent containing chromic acid or chromate salt. That is, the first electroplated metal coating is oxidized to form an oxidized metal film coated thereon, which may protect the first electroplated metal coating from moisture corrosion.
- In step S400, the passiviated first electroplated metal coating then undergoes sand blasting. During the sand blasting process, a mixture of quartz sand and water in an air sand blower strike the passiviated first electroplated metal coating, to put a plurality of dispersed and distributed dents in the passiviated first electroplated metal coating. The dents cause the first electroplated metal coating to possess a dull frosted appearance, which may be more attractive to consumers. The oxidized metal film is partially struck away from the first electroplated metal coating by sand blasting, thereby partially exposing the first electroplated metal coating.
- In step S500, the first electroplated metal coating is repeatedly passivated in the oxidizing agent so as to passiviate the exposed portion thereof.
- In step S600, the first electroplated metal coating is activated to remove the oxidized metal film that covers the first electroplated metal coating. The activation is carried out in an electrolyte including sodium hydroxide by an electric current.
- In step S700, the substrate is immersed into hydrofluoric acid to remove the residual quartz sand on the first electroplated metal coating.
- In step S800, a second electroplated metal coating is electroplated onto the first electroplated metal coating. The second electroplated metal coating may be made one of palladium and alloys of tin and copper. The thickness of the second electroplated metal coating is in a range from about 2 to about 8 microns and less than that of the first electroplated metal coating. It should be understood that, the second electroplated metal coating can be further coated with a decorative coating made of chrome, which has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 to about 2 microns and less than that of the second electroplated metal coating. The first electroplated metal coating and the second electroplated metal coating may give the substrate a dull frosted appearance attractive to consumers.
- 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 (20)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CNA2008103010654A CN101555612A (en) | 2008-04-11 | 2008-04-11 | Method for processing surface of shell |
CN200810301065.4 | 2008-04-11 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090255824A1 true US20090255824A1 (en) | 2009-10-15 |
Family
ID=40933601
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/416,248 Abandoned US20090255824A1 (en) | 2008-04-11 | 2009-04-01 | Method for surface treating a substrate |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090255824A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2108717A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101555612A (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2015065416A1 (en) * | 2013-10-31 | 2015-05-07 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Method of treating metal surfaces |
US20170087691A1 (en) * | 2015-09-30 | 2017-03-30 | Apple Inc. | Methods for color and texture control of metallic glasses by the combination of blasting and oxidization |
US20170190856A1 (en) * | 2014-03-27 | 2017-07-06 | Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique | Process for preparing a composite part that is electrically conductive at the surface, and applications |
WO2021081924A1 (en) * | 2019-10-31 | 2021-05-06 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Electronic device housings with electroless plating layers |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102202475A (en) * | 2010-03-25 | 2011-09-28 | 深圳富泰宏精密工业有限公司 | Electronic device shell and manufacturing method thereof |
CN102223771B (en) * | 2010-04-14 | 2015-04-15 | 深圳富泰宏精密工业有限公司 | Electronic device shell and manufacturing method of same |
CN101877427B (en) * | 2010-07-02 | 2014-01-08 | 深圳市大富科技股份有限公司 | Communication device, cavity filter, resonating tube and manufacturing method thereof |
CN101882703A (en) * | 2010-07-02 | 2010-11-10 | 深圳市大富科技股份有限公司 | Communication equipment, cavity filter, resonating tube and manufacturing method thereof |
CN102544884B (en) * | 2011-12-23 | 2015-04-01 | 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 | Electric connector, electric connector casing and surface treatment method of electric connector casing |
USD743894S1 (en) | 2012-08-09 | 2015-11-24 | Htc Corporation | Connector |
US8668525B1 (en) * | 2012-08-16 | 2014-03-11 | Htc Corporation | Method of forming colored appearance and conductive casing |
CN103361686B (en) * | 2013-07-24 | 2015-12-09 | 北京亿海腾模型工业有限公司 | A kind of working method of chromium-plating effect of outside surface of mobile model product |
CN104618538B (en) * | 2015-02-06 | 2017-06-06 | 福建省石狮市通达电器有限公司 | A kind of aftertreatment technology of cell phone rear cover |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3485643A (en) * | 1966-05-06 | 1969-12-23 | Photocircuits Corp | Electroless copper plating |
US20040187771A1 (en) * | 2003-03-28 | 2004-09-30 | Japan Super Quartz Corporation | Silica glass crucible |
US20060086620A1 (en) * | 2004-10-21 | 2006-04-27 | Chase Lee A | Textured decorative plating on plastic components |
US7045039B2 (en) * | 1997-07-09 | 2006-05-16 | Masco Corporation Of Indiana | Process for applying protective and decorative coating on an article |
US20060210813A1 (en) * | 2003-01-27 | 2006-09-21 | Andreas Fath | Coating method |
US20070015001A1 (en) * | 2005-07-05 | 2007-01-18 | The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. | Copper alloy for electronic machinery and tools and method of producing the same |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE19723980B4 (en) * | 1997-06-06 | 2005-01-27 | Fa. Alfred R. Franz | Continuous, computer-controlled process for the production of black-chromed, surface-defect-free, complete injection-molded parts made of magnesium alloys with electrically conductive and optimally adhesive surface areas and application of this method |
DE10303648A1 (en) * | 2003-01-27 | 2004-07-29 | Hansgrohe Ag | Surface coating of the metal surfaces of sanitary fittings, for protection against corrosion, uses an initial layer of copper/nickel which is brushed/sand blasted, for a further layer of nickel-tungsten or palladium-nickel |
DE10303650A1 (en) * | 2003-01-27 | 2004-07-29 | Hansgrohe Ag | Coating of objects such as plastic sprays comprises application of a layer of copper, nickel or a copper-nickel alloy, mechanical surface treatment of at least the outer applied layer and application of a palladium-nickel layer |
-
2008
- 2008-04-11 CN CNA2008103010654A patent/CN101555612A/en active Pending
-
2009
- 2009-04-01 US US12/416,248 patent/US20090255824A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2009-04-06 EP EP09157443A patent/EP2108717A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3485643A (en) * | 1966-05-06 | 1969-12-23 | Photocircuits Corp | Electroless copper plating |
US7045039B2 (en) * | 1997-07-09 | 2006-05-16 | Masco Corporation Of Indiana | Process for applying protective and decorative coating on an article |
US20060210813A1 (en) * | 2003-01-27 | 2006-09-21 | Andreas Fath | Coating method |
US20040187771A1 (en) * | 2003-03-28 | 2004-09-30 | Japan Super Quartz Corporation | Silica glass crucible |
US20060086620A1 (en) * | 2004-10-21 | 2006-04-27 | Chase Lee A | Textured decorative plating on plastic components |
US20070015001A1 (en) * | 2005-07-05 | 2007-01-18 | The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. | Copper alloy for electronic machinery and tools and method of producing the same |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2015065416A1 (en) * | 2013-10-31 | 2015-05-07 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Method of treating metal surfaces |
US20170190856A1 (en) * | 2014-03-27 | 2017-07-06 | Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique | Process for preparing a composite part that is electrically conductive at the surface, and applications |
US20170087691A1 (en) * | 2015-09-30 | 2017-03-30 | Apple Inc. | Methods for color and texture control of metallic glasses by the combination of blasting and oxidization |
WO2021081924A1 (en) * | 2019-10-31 | 2021-05-06 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Electronic device housings with electroless plating layers |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2108717A1 (en) | 2009-10-14 |
CN101555612A (en) | 2009-10-14 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED, HONG KONG Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SU, JONG-YI;CHEN, CHENG-SHIN;LEE, YUEH-FENG;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:022483/0137 Effective date: 20090327 Owner name: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., C Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SU, JONG-YI;CHEN, CHENG-SHIN;LEE, YUEH-FENG;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:022483/0137 Effective date: 20090327 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |