Electroless plating differs from electroplating in that no electrical current is used to deposit the coating. Instead, deposition occurs via an autocatalytic chemical reaction. Nickel and copper are the two most frequently used metals for electroless plating, although techniques for gold and tin have also been established.
ENS Technology is one of few plating providers with the capabilities to plate plastics with superior adhesion. Many of these materials are classified as thermoplastics, which means they become moldable when heated above a certain temperature, and then they solidify upon cooling. Using our special, multi-step process, we can apply metal plating to:. Electroplating provides the ability for a non-conductive plastic surface to conduct electricity.
This has provided manufacturers of electronic parts and components used in automobiles, aircraft and a multitude of other products the ability to build lighter products that still conduct electricity. A metal coating can also reflect potentially destructive light away from the surface of a plastic substrate and serve as a defensive barrier against detrimental gases and corrosion. Additionally, metallization can assist in controlling the dissipation of energy.
Electroplating plastic parts is also used to protect the plastic from manufacturing chemicals that could potentially damage the plastic.
It is also a great way to protect a plastic part from corrosion. The plating process will also increase the wear resistance and strength of the product. In addition, electroplating enhances the appearance of the material and generates the impression of increased quality. As a result, it is often selected when an enhanced look is desired. There are several industries that use plastic plating on a regular basis to provide beneficial qualities to their plastic parts, some of which include:. The acid will pit, or etch, the surface, so that metal can adhere.
An alternative method of etching is to sandblast the surface. Drop the part in a palladium chloride bath. This will leave an initial layer of metal which will allow electroplating the standard way.
Specifically, the part will then be electroplated with copper as yet another preparation layer, then gold, chrome, nickel or whatever the final metal layer is to be. Purchase conductive paint. Inexpensive conductive paint can be purchased from Acheson Colloids or Cybershield.
Electroplate with an initial copper layer, as above. The rest of the electroplating is the same as in the pitting approach. If you want a chrome finish, consider vacuum metalizing instead. It is the process used on mylar balloons. Chrome should be reserved for objects that will be subjected to water exposure and wear and tear. Numerous warnings of how electroless plating of plastic can go wrong can be found at finishing.
Paul Dohrman's academic background is in physics and economics. He has professional experience as an educator, mortgage consultant, and casualty actuary. His interests include development economics, technology-based charities, and angel investing. Experience has shown that even using strong cleaning chemicals will not completely remove the silicone mold release and will often just spread it across the entire surface of the part. If you have any questions about mold release, Contact Cybershield to discuss your requirements and plans.
Download more information about plating on plastics technology. All-Over Electroless Plating with copper, nickel or nickel plating over copper are highly cost effective systems to address a wide range of engineering requirements for plastic components.
In the all-over plating process, the metal plating is deposited directly onto the plastic components. Cybershield has extensive skill and experience in plating plastics and is successful in plating plastic in all plateable grades and even some grades that the resin manufacturers list as non-plateable see table of plateable plastics.
All-Over electroless plating plastic process offers customers with a low cost alternative to plated metal components. Cybershield engineers can tailor the finish of the plated plastic to meet the current metal components often with savings in cost as well as weight. Selectively Electroless Plated Plastic is applied onto specified surfaces of a plastic part, most often an enclosure or housing but can be applied to a wide range of part designs and materials.
The selective plating process is suitable for low volume as well as high volume applications and includes:.
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