Palladium-Free Direct-Plate Technology for Plating on Plastics Plating on plastics traditionally has been accomplished using tin/palladium colloidal-type activation systems with electroless chemistries. Although well understood, these processes can be costly and require extended process lines with high water consumption... A method to electroplate directly onto non-conductive plastics has been developed. The technology does not use precious metals to activate or electroless chemistries to produce the first conductive metallic layer. Instead, the process allows electrolytic nickel or copper to plate directly onto the plastic substrate. This direct-plate technology decreases the number of process steps, significantly reduces water consumption, eliminates chelates and improves productivity.
Background
In year of 2019, we received a request from our Shanghai customer who is providing the electroplating services for automotive plastic components.
“Is that possible to coat Ni directly on engineering plastics to replace the electroless process and make the Palladium-Free?” asked Mr. Woo the owner of JS company.
Royal Technology spent 6 months to made experiments and successfully developed the proper coating process and the result satisfy customer’s quality testing terms. The direct metallization layer makes the plastics transit from non-conduction to conductive and then get post-treatment with Cu/Ni/Cr electroplating process.
“It is a disruptive coating method for automotive industry, we are so happy to say Good-bye to electropless process”, Mr. Woo said excitingly.
Applications
PVD direct plating on PPS Plastic
Nickel electroplating on PPS which has been accomplished using a traditionally Palladium / Tin colloidal-type activation system with electroless chemical treatment, this process is called roughening.. While increasing stringent environmental conditions as well as substantial cost reductions called for by the automobile industry have forced the electroplating industry to look for techniques such as direct metallization processes .
PPS engineering plastics in the Automotive Industry
The vehicle systems pursuing fuel efficiency, lightweight, emission reduction and design flexibility, when come to material’s selection, compared with metal, engineering plastic shows its advantages and unlimited potential. The PPS is so special because they contribute significantly to the qualify of life on automotive industry with theirs versatile properties: more efficient and safer, more comfortable and more beautiful; unlimited on design ideas and forming process, more flexible.
Before metallization After PVD Ni metallization
Copper PVD vacuum metallization on ABS, ABS+PC parts.
Technical advantages
Technical specifications
Technical Specifications
Model: PVD-Me1600
Deposition Chamber (mm): Stainless Steel 304
φ1600 x H1600 (63” x 63”)
Effective Coating Zone (mm): φ1350 x H1250
Load Mass (kg): 500 ~ 1000
Number of Satellites (mm): 6 or 8 or 10 for option
Pulsed Bias Power(KW): 36
Arc Cathode Power (KW): 14*5
Pulsed Sputtering Power (KW): 36
Vacuum Pumps: Mechanical pump, roots pump, holding pump and diffusion pump
Operation Control System: PLC controlled processing with Touch Screen HMI
Electrical Enclosures (mm) L x W x H : 1200 x 2000 x 600
Power Supply Cabinet : 600 x 2000 x 1000
Machine configuration according to customer requirements, the fixture design and workshop layout plan supported by Royal Technology.
Layout
Please contact us for more specifications, Royal Technology is honored to provide you total coating solutions.
In-site
Project Name: Plastic Vacuum Metallization Machine
Project Location: Shanghai, China
Project Built Time: 2021
Applications: PPS, ABS, ABS+PC, PA etc. which equires electroplating post treatment process
