WO2022112196A1 - Method for etching at least one surface of a plastic substrate - Google Patents
Method for etching at least one surface of a plastic substrate Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2022112196A1 WO2022112196A1 PCT/EP2021/082572 EP2021082572W WO2022112196A1 WO 2022112196 A1 WO2022112196 A1 WO 2022112196A1 EP 2021082572 W EP2021082572 W EP 2021082572W WO 2022112196 A1 WO2022112196 A1 WO 2022112196A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- etching
- composition
- minutes
- surface active
- substrate
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 122
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 112
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 75
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 133
- 238000002203 pretreatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 47
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 239000004094 surface-active agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- KRVSOGSZCMJSLX-UHFFFAOYSA-L chromic acid Substances O[Cr](O)(=O)=O KRVSOGSZCMJSLX-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- AWJWCTOOIBYHON-UHFFFAOYSA-N furo[3,4-b]pyrazine-5,7-dione Chemical compound C1=CN=C2C(=O)OC(=O)C2=N1 AWJWCTOOIBYHON-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorine atom Chemical compound [F] YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 229910052731 fluorine Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000011737 fluorine Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 229910001430 chromium ion Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 16
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000004676 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 10
- 125000004432 carbon atom Chemical group C* 0.000 claims description 9
- XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Chemical compound C=CC=C.C=CC#N.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920000122 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 150000002191 fatty alcohols Chemical class 0.000 claims description 6
- MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCOCCO MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920008285 Poly(ether ketone) PEK Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004697 Polyetherimide Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920001601 polyetherimide Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052804 chromium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011651 chromium Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002202 Polyethylene glycol Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002736 nonionic surfactant Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001223 polyethylene glycol Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N palladium Substances [Pd] KDLHZDBZIXYQEI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 40
- 229910052763 palladium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 26
- -1 acryl moieties Chemical group 0.000 description 17
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 14
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 10
- 238000007747 plating Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000004696 Poly ether ether ketone Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229940060037 fluorine Drugs 0.000 description 5
- 235000019000 fluorine Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 229920002530 polyetherether ketone Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000003638 chemical reducing agent Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920006260 polyaryletherketone Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 4
- 229940124024 weight reducing agent Drugs 0.000 description 4
- LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCO LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Manganese Chemical compound [Mn] PWHULOQIROXLJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- ZMXDDKWLCZADIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N N,N-Dimethylformamide Chemical compound CN(C)C=O ZMXDDKWLCZADIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910000978 Pb alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N ether Substances CCOCC RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910052748 manganese Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000011572 manganese Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- ZHNUHDYFZUAESO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Formamide Chemical compound NC=O ZHNUHDYFZUAESO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Styrene Chemical compound C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000002378 acidificating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012190 activator Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000008139 complexing agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000001465 metallisation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003960 organic solvent Substances 0.000 description 2
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical compound [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920001652 poly(etherketoneketone) Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000010970 precious metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910001432 tin ion Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241001230134 Phasis Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000005062 Polybutadiene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004721 Polyphenylene oxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tin Chemical compound [Sn] ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000000217 alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- KAKZBPTYRLMSJV-UHFFFAOYSA-N butadiene group Chemical group C=CC=C KAKZBPTYRLMSJV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- JOPOVCBBYLSVDA-UHFFFAOYSA-N chromium(6+) Chemical compound [Cr+6] JOPOVCBBYLSVDA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229940003372 compro Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003682 fluorination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000004435 hydrogen atom Chemical group [H]* 0.000 description 1
- 230000001771 impaired effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003455 independent Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002576 ketones Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- LQBJWKCYZGMFEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N lead tin Chemical compound [Sn].[Pb] LQBJWKCYZGMFEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910003455 mixed metal oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002825 nitriles Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 150000002894 organic compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000004430 oxygen atom Chemical group O* 0.000 description 1
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229920001643 poly(ether ketone) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002857 polybutadiene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000570 polyether Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000008092 positive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- WIKYUJGCLQQFNW-UHFFFAOYSA-N prochlorperazine Chemical compound C1CN(C)CCN1CCCN1C2=CC(Cl)=CC=C2SC2=CC=CC=C21 WIKYUJGCLQQFNW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007788 roughening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008961 swelling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004065 wastewater treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- 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
- C23C18/00—Chemical coating by decomposition of either liquid compounds or solutions of the coating forming compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating; Contact plating
- C23C18/16—Chemical coating by decomposition of either liquid compounds or solutions of the coating forming compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating; Contact plating by reduction or substitution, e.g. electroless plating
- C23C18/18—Pretreatment of the material to be coated
- C23C18/20—Pretreatment of the material to be coated of organic surfaces, e.g. resins
- C23C18/2006—Pretreatment of the material to be coated of organic surfaces, e.g. resins by other methods than those of C23C18/22 - C23C18/30
- C23C18/2046—Pretreatment of the material to be coated of organic surfaces, e.g. resins by other methods than those of C23C18/22 - C23C18/30 by chemical pretreatment
- C23C18/2073—Multistep pretreatment
- C23C18/2086—Multistep pretreatment with use of organic or inorganic compounds other than metals, first
-
- 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
- C23C18/00—Chemical coating by decomposition of either liquid compounds or solutions of the coating forming compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating; Contact plating
- C23C18/16—Chemical coating by decomposition of either liquid compounds or solutions of the coating forming compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating; Contact plating by reduction or substitution, e.g. electroless plating
- C23C18/18—Pretreatment of the material to be coated
- C23C18/20—Pretreatment of the material to be coated of organic surfaces, e.g. resins
- C23C18/22—Roughening, e.g. by etching
- C23C18/24—Roughening, e.g. by etching using acid aqueous solutions
-
- 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
- C23C18/00—Chemical coating by decomposition of either liquid compounds or solutions of the coating forming compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating; Contact plating
- C23C18/16—Chemical coating by decomposition of either liquid compounds or solutions of the coating forming compounds, without leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating; Contact plating by reduction or substitution, e.g. electroless plating
- C23C18/18—Pretreatment of the material to be coated
- C23C18/20—Pretreatment of the material to be coated of organic surfaces, e.g. resins
- C23C18/28—Sensitising or activating
- C23C18/30—Activating or accelerating or sensitising with palladium or other noble metal
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method for etching at least one surface of a plastic sub strate, the method comprising the steps (A) to (C), wherein step (B) comprises a contacting with a pre-treatment composition comprising one or more than one fluorine-free surface active compound, and step (C) comprises a contacting with an etching composition com prising chromic acid, wherein after step (B) and prior to step (C) no rinsing is applied, and the etching composition is substantially free of fluorine-containing surface active com pounds.
- Metallizing non-metallic substrates such as plastic substrates has a long history in modern technology. Typical applications are found in automotive industry as well as for sanitary articles.
- etching compositions comprising chromic acid.
- very effective etching compositions comprising chromic acid.
- etching compositions comprising chromic acid.
- chromic acid is highly corrosive and a strong oxidation agent, thereby sub- jecting organic compounds to strong decomposition.
- chemical stability of sur face-active compounds can be increased by fluorination, waste water treatment and envi ronmental sustainability becomes an issue in return. Therefore, there is a still ongoing de mand to further improve existing chromic acid etching processes.
- the etching composition is substantially free of, preferably does not comprise, fluo rine-containing surface active compounds.
- the present invention is primarily based on a specific combination of steps, namely con secutive steps (B) and (C) as defined above without a rinsing step between both steps (i.e. the pre-treated substrate is not rinsed after step (B) and prior to step (C)). Own experiments have shown that the surface of the plastic substrate remains wetted with the one or more than one fluorine-free surface active compound contained in the pre-treatment composition. Thus, preferred is a method of the present invention, wherein after step (B) at least a portion of (B-a) remains on the substrate while the substrate is transferred to step (C).
- the fluorine-free surface active compounds remaining on the substrate are present in a sufficient amount to allow chromic acid to excellently reach even more sophisticated geom etries. It appears that it is of great benefit if the surface is already covered with a surface active compound prior to contacting with chromic acid for etching. It was in particular sur- prising that under such conditions no surface active compounds are additionally needed in the etching composition at all.
- the substrate is provided, which is a plastic substrate.
- the substrate comprises a thermoplastic substrate, preferably an amorphous thermoplastic substrate and/or a semi crystalline thermoplastic substrate.
- step (A) More preferred is a method of the present invention, wherein in step (A) the substrate com prises butadiene moieties, preferably polybutadiene. Also preferred is a method of the present invention, wherein in step (A) the substrate com prises nitrile moieties.
- step (A) the substrate com prises acryl moieties.
- step (A) the substrate com- prises polymerized styrene.
- step (A) the substrate com prises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene - polycarbonate (ABS-PC), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polyetherimide (PEI), a polyetherketone (PEK), or mixtures thereof, preferably acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and/or acrylo nitrile butadiene styrene - polycarbonate (ABS-PC).
- ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
- ABS-PC polycarbonate
- Such plastic substrates are typically used in decorative applications such as automotive parts, in particular ABS and ABS-PC.
- PAEK polyaryletherketone
- substrates with a sophisticated geometry are in particular challenging for metallization.
- substrates have an irregular surface including caverns, holes, reliefs, recesses, slits, kinks, etc., forming a num ber of difficult to access areas on the substrate especially for viscous compositions such as etching compositions comprising chromic acid.
- the method of the present inven tion in particular addresses such “problematic” plastic substrates.
- the substrate comprises at least one hole, cavern, recess, slit, and/or at least one buckling (in the sense of a kink), wherein at least one thereof constitutes at least two subareas relative to each other with an angle not being 180°, preferably having an angle ranging from 60° to 160°, more preferably from 65° to 140°, more preferably from 70° to 110°, most preferably from 80° to 100°.
- step (B) of the method of the present invention the substrate is contacted with the aque ous pre-treatment composition such that a pre-treated substrate is obtained.
- the aqueous pre-treatment composition comprises (B-a) one or more than one fluorine-free surface ac tive compound.
- the one or more than one fluorine-free surface active compound is a compound, which reduces the surface tension of the aqueous pre-treatment composition compared to the surface tension of water.
- Preferred is a method of the present invention, wherein said one or more than one fluorine- free surface active compound is an organic fluorine-free surface active compound.
- said one or more than one fluorine-free surface active compound is a fluorine-free surfactant.
- said one or more than one fluorine-free surface active compound is an organic fluorine-free surfactant.
- a method of the present invention wherein said one or more than one fluorine- free surface active compound is not an organic solvent.
- a method of the pre- sent invention is preferred, wherein the aqueous pre-treatment composition is substantially free of, preferably does not comprise, an organic solvent.
- the aqueous pre-treatment composition is substantially free of, preferably does not comprise, formamide, dimethylformamide, ethylene glycol, or diethylene glycol.
- the one or more than one fluorine- free surface active compound is saturated. More preferred, the one or more than one fluo rine-free surface active compound consists of carbon atoms, hydrogen atoms, and oxygen atoms.
- the one or more than one fluorine-free surface active compound comprises a non-ionic surfactant, preferably a non- ionic alkyl polyethylene glycol ether, more preferably a non-ionic alcohol alkoxylate, most preferably a non-ionic fatty alcohol ethoxylate.
- a non-ionic surfactant preferably a non- ionic alkyl polyethylene glycol ether, more preferably a non-ionic alcohol alkoxylate, most preferably a non-ionic fatty alcohol ethoxylate.
- the alcohol comprises 6 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 7 to 18, more preferably 8 to 16, even more preferably 9 to 14, most preferably 10 to 12. This preferably applies likewise to the very preferred non-ionic fatty alcohol ethoxylate.
- the alkoxylate comprises 10 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 28, more preferably 14 to 26, even more preferably 16 to 24, most preferably 18 to 22.
- This preferably applies likewise to the very preferred non-ionic fatty alcohol ethoxylate.
- the non-ionic alcohol alkoxylate comprises a total of 20 to 40 carbon atoms, preferably 22 to 38, more preferably 24 to 36, even more preferably 26 to 34, most preferably 28 to 32. This preferably applies likewise to the very preferred non-ionic fatty alcohol ethoxylate.
- the non-ionic alcohol alkoxylate comprises a total of 28 to 34 carbon atoms, wherein thereof the alcohol comprises 10 to 12 carbon atoms and the alkoxylate 18 to 22 carbon atoms.
- the alcohol comprises 10 to 12 carbon atoms and the alkoxylate 18 to 22 carbon atoms.
- said one or more than one fluorine-free surface active compound is the only surface active compound utilized through out steps (B) and (C).
- step (B) the pre-treatment com position has a pH ranging from 1 to 9, preferably from 1.5 to 7.5 more preferably from 2 to 6.5, even more preferably from 2.5 to 5.5, most preferably from 3 to 5. It is generally pre ferred that the pH is acidic.
- the pre-treatment composition utilized in the method of the present invention is aqueous
- the primary (i.e. more than 50 wt.-%) solvent is preferably water
- the pre treatment composition comprises 60 wt.-% or more water, based on the total weight of the pre-treatment composition, more preferably 70 wt.-% or more, even more preferably 80 wt- % or more, yet even more preferably 90 wt.-% or more, most preferably 95 wt.-% or more.
- Most preferably water is the only solvent.
- step (B) is not a swelling step.
- step (B) is a method of the present invention, wherein in step (B) the contacting is carried out for a time ranging from 20 seconds to 15 minutes, preferably from 1 minute to 10 minutes, most preferably from 2 minutes to 6 minutes.
- step (B) is a method of the present invention, wherein in step (B) the contacting is carried out at a temperature ranging from 20°C to 70°C, preferably from 22°C to 60°C, more pref erably from 25°C to 50°C, most preferably from 30°C to 40°C.
- step (C) of the method of the present invention the pre-treated substrate obtained after step (B) is contacted with an etching composition in an etching compartment such that an etched substrate is obtained.
- the etching composition comprises (C-a) chromic acid, which is the active etching species.
- etching composition (C-a) has a total concentration ranging from 100 g/L to 450 g/L, based on the total volume of the etching composition and referenced to CrCh, preferably from 200 g/L to 430 g/L, even more preferably from 300 g/L to 410 g/L, most preferably from 350 g/L to 400 g/L.
- etching composition in step (C) is a chromic acid/sulfuric acid etching composition.
- the etching composition comprises sulfuric acid, preferably in a total concentration ranging from 250 g/L to 450 g/L, based on the total volume of the etching composition, preferably from 280 g/L to 430 g/L, more pref erably from 300 g/L to 410 g/L, even more preferably from 330 g/L to 400 g/L, most prefer ably from 350 g/L to 390 g/L.
- the etching composition also comprises (C-b) trivalent chromium ions.
- Trivalent chromium ions are typically a result of the etching process itself. While hexavalent chromium in chro mic acid is reduced to trivalent chromium ions, chemical compounds in the plastic substrate are oxidized and decomposed such that an etching pattern is obtained on the substrate’s surface.
- additional trivalent chromium ions are formed due to the dragged in one or more than one fluorine-free surface active compound utilized in the pre-treatment composition. They are also decomposed by chromic acid, typically after a comparatively short time.
- chromic acid typically after a comparatively short time.
- any total amount of fluorine- free surface active compounds in the etching composition originates from the pre-treatment composition.
- this additional formation of trivalent chromium ions in the method of the present invention is desired. It preferably regulates the concentration of surface active compounds in the etching composition. Furthermore, it ensures that constantly only fresh surface active compounds are provided in the etching composition, which are present directly on the sub strate’s surface, where they are needed. This is an optimal concentration control within the etching composition.
- etching composition (C-b) has a total concentration of 35 g/L or below, preferably of 33 g/L or below, more preferably of 30 g/L or below, even more preferably of 27 g/L or below, yet even more preferably of 25 g/L or below, most preferably of 21 g/L or below.
- the etching composition can tolerate a moderate amount of trivalent chromium ions, preferably up to 35 g/L. If this con centration is significantly exceeded, the etching capabilities are getting impaired.
- a maximum total concentration of 50 g/L should not be exceeded, which preferably also applies in general to the following preferred ranges as maximum concentration.
- etching composition (C- b) has a total concentration ranging from 1 g/L to 35 g/L, based on the total volume of the etching composition, preferably from 5 g/L to 33 g/L, more preferably from 8 g/L to 30 g/L, even more preferably from 10 g/L to 27 g/L, yet even more preferably from 11 g/L to 25 g/L, most preferably from 12 g/L to 21 g/L.
- the chro- mic acid (based on CrCh) and the trivalent chromium ions form a molar ratio which is 5 or more, preferably is 7 or more, more preferably is 8 or more, even more preferably is 10 or more, yet even more preferably is 13 or more, most preferably is 18 or more.
- a method of the present invention wherein at least a portion of the trivalent chromium ions in the etching composition is oxidized through an electrical current such that chromium with the oxidation number (VI) is obtained, preferably in a recycling compartment, most preferably in a recy cling compartment different from the etching compartment.
- VI oxidation number
- etching compartment and the recycling compartment are fluidically connected, preferably by means of at least one pipe, more preferably by means of at least one flow-in and at least one flow-out pipe.
- the at least one flow-in and at least one flow-out pipe are fluidically connected with the etching compartment.
- Fluidically connected denotes that liquids can flow or migrate (pref- erably circulate) between the etching compartment and the recycling compartment, prefer ably by at least one pump; preferably either continually or dis-continually.
- a preferred lead alloy anode is a lead tin anode.
- a preferred precious metal anode comprises platinum, more preferably is a platinized titanium anode.
- the semi-permeable separator is a ceramic diaphragm.
- the at least one cathode comprises lead or steel.
- the at least one anode and the at least one cathode comprises lead and/or a lead alloy.
- a method of the present invention wherein in the recycling compartment the at least one anode forms a total anode surface and the at least one cathode forms a total cathode surface, wherein the total anode surface is larger than the total cathode surface
- the ratio of the total cathode surface to the total anode surface ranges from 1:1.5 to 1:100. In some cases a method of the present invention is preferred, wherein said ratio ranges from 1:1.5 to 1:10, preferably from 1:1.7 to 1:8, more preferably from 1:1.9 to 1:6, most preferably from 1:2 to 1:4.
- a method of the present invention is preferred, wherein said ratio ranges 1:10 to 1:100, preferably from 1:11 to 1:95, more preferably from 1:20 to 1:90, even more preferably from 1 :25 to 1 :85, most preferably from 1 :30 to 1 :80.
- the anolyte comprises water and sulfuric acid, preferably 40 wt.-% to 80 wt.-% sulfuric acid, based on the total weight of the anolyte, more preferably 50 wt.-% to 70 wt.-%.
- the etching composition in step (C) has a density ranging from 1.2 g/ml to 1.9 g/ml, preferably from 1.4 g/ml to1.7 g/ml, most preferably from 1.5 g/ml to 1.6 g/ml.
- a method of the present invention is preferred, wherein the etching compo sition comprises palladium ions.
- Palladium ions in the etching composition affect the etching quality insofar that in a subsequent palladium activation step a comparatively low concen tration of palladium is required for efficient and sufficient activation, compared to an etching composition not comprising palladium ions.
- the etching quality itself directly after the etching is also improved if palladium ions are present.
- step (C) in the etching composi tion fluorine-free surface active compounds have an average total concentration ranging from 0.01 wt.-% to 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the etching composition, preferably from 0.02 wt.-% to 0.5 wt.-%, more preferably from 0.03 wt.-% to 0.2 wt.-%, most preferably from 0.04 wt.-% to 0.1 wt.-%.
- Average denotes during normal continuous operation such that continually surface active compounds are dragged in into the etching composition.
- step (C) the etching composition has a surface tension of 69 mN/m or below, preferably of 68 mN/m or below, more prefer- ably of 66 mN/m or below, even more preferably of 63 mN/m or below, yet even more pref erably of 59 mN/m or below, almost most preferably of 55 mN/m or below, most preferably of 50 mN/m or below.
- the one or more than one fluorine-free surface active compound dragged in into the etching composition has a positive effect on the etching composition.
- step (C) Preferred is a method of the present invention, wherein in step (C) no electrical current is applied to etch the substrate.
- step (C) no electrical current is applied to etch the substrate.
- step (C) Preferred is a method of the present invention, wherein in step (C) the contacting is carried out for a time ranging from 1 minute to 120 minutes, preferably from 2 minutes to 80 minutes, more preferably from 3 minutes to 60 minutes, even more preferably from 5 minutes to 45 minutes, yet even more preferably from 6 minutes to 30 minutes, most pref- erably from 8 minutes to 15 minutes.
- a contacting ranging from 8 minutes to 15 minutes is most preferred for substrates comprising ABS and/or ABS-PC.
- a longer contacting is typi cally preferred if the substrate comprises a polyetherketone (PEK), preferably about 60 minutes or less.
- step (C) the etching composition is substantially free of, preferably does not comprise, manganese species.
- manganese species are preferably not intentionally/purposely added to the etching compo sition.
- step (A) is not contacted with any composition comprising a manganese species, most preferably throughout the entire method of the present invention.
- the pre-treatment composition and the etching composition comprise identical fluorine-free surface active compounds. However, they differ in its concentration significantly.
- Preferred is a method of the present invention comprising after step (C) the step (D) contacting the etched substrate with an activation composition such that an ac tivated substrate is obtained.
- the method of the present invention is not only a method for etching the at least one surface of the plastic substrate but is furthermore a method for activating said surface.
- steps (C) and (D) are preferred, more preferably with water.
- a contacting with a reducing-agent containing composition is carried out in order to chemically reduce residual amounts of chromic acid on the substrate to trivalent chromium.
- the rising is carried out afterwards to preferably remove any chromium residues.
- step (C) is a step separated and inde- pendent from step (D).
- the etching composition utilized in step (C) is not the activation composition utilized in step (D).
- the activation composi tion comprises palladium, preferably dissolved palladium ions or colloidal palladium, most preferably colloidal palladium.
- the colloidal palladium comprises tin.
- the activation composi- tion comprises palladium in a total concentration ranging from 5 mg/L to 200 mg/L, based on the total volume of the activation composition, preferably ranging from 10 mg/L to 150 mg/L, more preferably from 15 mg/L to 80 mg/L, even more preferably from 17 mg/L to 50 mg/L, most preferably from 20 mg/L to 40 mg/L.
- this total concentration applies to both dissolved palladium ions and colloidal palladium. Above concentrations are based on the element palladium.
- step (D) the activation composi tion has a temperature ranging from 25°C to 70°C, preferably from 28°C to 60°C, more preferably from 30°C to 55°C, even more preferably from 32°C to 50°C, most preferably from 35°C to 46°C.
- step (D) the contacting is carried out for a time ranging from 1 minute to 15 minutes, preferably from 2 minutes to 12 minutes, more preferably from 2.5 minutes to 9 minutes, most preferably from 3 minutes to 7 minutes.
- step (D) comprises step
- step (D) the activation composition comprises colloidal palladium, or
- step (D) if in step (D) the activation composition comprises palladium ions but no col- loidal palladium.
- step (D-1) the accelerator com position comprises no reducing agent but at least one complexing agent for tin ions and is acidic, preferably comprising in addition sulfuric acid.
- the method of the present invention is not only a method for etching and activat ing the at least one surface of the plastic substrate but is furthermore a method for metal lizing said surface.
- ABS substrates (ca. 9 x 6 cm) were used having sharp edges, sharp bucklings (i.e. having 90° kinks) and relief structures in order to simulate a sophisti cated surface geometry.
- the etching composition has a total volume of 200 L, wherein the pre-treatment composition of 70 L.
- Example 1 comparative:
- Pre-treatment composition n/a
- Etching composition ca. 380 g/L chromic acid (as CrCh), ca. 380 g/L sulfuric acid, and no surface active compounds and no palladium ions Etching parameters: 10 minutes,
- the etched substrate was treated with a reducing composition in order to re- prise chromic acid. Afterwards, the reduced substrate was rinsed with water. Subsequently, the rinsed substrate was treated with an activator composition comprising colloidal palla dium (ca. 3 to 5 minutes, 40°C) for subsequent nickel and copper plating.
- Example 1 was repeated with the difference that the etching composition contained ca. 0.1 g/L of a fluorine-containing surface active compound (partly fluorinated C6 to C10 alkyl- sulfonic acid).
- a fluorine-containing surface active compound partially fluorinated C6 to C10 alkyl- sulfonic acid.
- Example 3 (according to the invention): Pre-treatment composition: ca. 1.5 wt.-% of a non-ionic alcohol alkoxylate, the alcohol having 10 to 12 carbon atoms, as fluorine-free surface active compound besides water, no further compounds Pre-treatment parameters: 5 minutes,
- Etching composition ca. 380 g/L chromic acid (as CrCh), ca. 380 g/L sulfuric acid, and no surface active compounds besides drag in from the pre treatment composition, no palladium ions
- the pre-treated substrate was not rinsed after the pre-treatment and directly transferred into the etching composition.
- the mentioned non-ionic alcohol alkoxylate was the only surface active compound utilized throughout the entire process.
- etching composition typically contained in the etching composition, for better em- phasis of etching results based on the method of the present invention it was omitted in the present examples.
- further examples including palladium ions showed an im proved etched result insofar that the amount of palladium in the activator composition can be reduced compared to examples utilizing no palladium ions (data not shown) and giving an even improved etching pattern.
- a portion of the trivalent chromium ions is transferred into a recycling compartment, comprising a ceramic diaphragm, a lead-con taining anode as well as a lead-containing cathode.
- Results are summarized in Table 1 below, showing the following:
- Example 1 but still observable in some cases; +++ no skip plating on flat areas; no skip plating on edges and sharp bucklings;
- Example 3 has shown a comparatively high consumption of surface active compounds in the pre-treatment composition. Since no rinsing is applied after the pre-treat-ment, significant amounts of the fluorine-free surface active compound are dragged out from the pre-treatment composition and dragged in into the etching composition while surpris ingly a sufficient amount remains on the surface of the substrate. Due to significantly lower chemical resistance of fluorine-free surface active compounds towards chromic acid, the fluorine-free surface active compounds are quite quickly decomposed in the etching com- position. However, Example 3 shows that the stability of the fluorine-free surface active compound is still totally sufficient to obtain an excellent wetting for a complete etching.
- Example 3 results in an even further improved etching and therefore even less skip plating compared to Example 2. It is believed that chromic acid and surface active compounds compete with each other on so- phisticated and less accessible areas, thereby lowering the efficiency of surface active com pounds.
- Example 2 it was furthermore observed that even fluorinated surface active compounds are subject to decomposition although at a significantly lower rate. However, decomposition products are also fluorine-containing and therefore stable over a comparatively long time and therefore accumulate, which is not desired. Such a drawback is overcome in Example 3. Furthermore, Example 3 completely relies on bio-degradable surface active compounds because they are fluorine-free.
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Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
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US18/253,948 US20240003013A1 (en) | 2020-11-24 | 2021-11-23 | Method for etching at least one surface of a plastic substrate |
EP21811087.2A EP4251721A1 (en) | 2020-11-24 | 2021-11-23 | Method for etching at least one surface of a plastic substrate |
JP2023531071A JP2024500634A (en) | 2020-11-24 | 2021-11-23 | Method of etching at least one surface of a plastic substrate |
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EP20209518.8 | 2020-11-24 | ||
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US (1) | US20240003013A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4251721A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2024500634A (en) |
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WO (1) | WO2022112196A1 (en) |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3515649A (en) * | 1967-05-02 | 1970-06-02 | Ivan C Hepfer | Pre-plating conditioning process |
GB1210736A (en) * | 1967-08-22 | 1970-10-28 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Pre-treatment in non-electrolytic plating |
JPS49124168A (en) * | 1973-04-02 | 1974-11-27 | ||
JPS52152471A (en) * | 1976-06-14 | 1977-12-17 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Method of manufacture of base plate for chemical plating |
JPS5359766A (en) * | 1976-11-10 | 1978-05-29 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Coating materials for substrate of chemical plating |
JPS62256969A (en) * | 1986-04-30 | 1987-11-09 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Forming and electrodepositing method for fiber-reinforced type metallic composite material |
JP2002294059A (en) * | 2001-03-28 | 2002-10-09 | Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics Corp | Polycarbonate resin composition and plated molded article of polycarbonate resin |
-
2021
- 2021-11-23 US US18/253,948 patent/US20240003013A1/en active Pending
- 2021-11-23 JP JP2023531071A patent/JP2024500634A/en active Pending
- 2021-11-23 EP EP21811087.2A patent/EP4251721A1/en active Pending
- 2021-11-23 TW TW110143459A patent/TW202225292A/en unknown
- 2021-11-23 WO PCT/EP2021/082572 patent/WO2022112196A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3515649A (en) * | 1967-05-02 | 1970-06-02 | Ivan C Hepfer | Pre-plating conditioning process |
GB1210736A (en) * | 1967-08-22 | 1970-10-28 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Pre-treatment in non-electrolytic plating |
JPS49124168A (en) * | 1973-04-02 | 1974-11-27 | ||
JPS52152471A (en) * | 1976-06-14 | 1977-12-17 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Method of manufacture of base plate for chemical plating |
JPS5359766A (en) * | 1976-11-10 | 1978-05-29 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Coating materials for substrate of chemical plating |
JPS62256969A (en) * | 1986-04-30 | 1987-11-09 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Forming and electrodepositing method for fiber-reinforced type metallic composite material |
JP2002294059A (en) * | 2001-03-28 | 2002-10-09 | Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics Corp | Polycarbonate resin composition and plated molded article of polycarbonate resin |
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JP2024500634A (en) | 2024-01-10 |
TW202225292A (en) | 2022-07-01 |
EP4251721A1 (en) | 2023-10-04 |
US20240003013A1 (en) | 2024-01-04 |
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