PLATING ON PLASTIC PROCESS
Plating on plastic is widely practiced in many industries to protect substrates against wear and tear, increase surface hardness and improve the aesthetic of a part or component.
KM PRE-ETCH 210 Solvent Pre-Etch For Polycarbonate And ABS Polycarbonate Alloys
Physical Properties:
KM PRE-ETCH 210A: Liquid
KM PRE-ETCH 210B: Liquid
Description
KM PRE-ETCH 210 is a blend mixture of solvents designed to surface swell specific grades of polycarbonate resin prior to etching, thus promoting maximum adhesion of the subsequent electroless deposit to the substrate and ABS polycarbonate alloys.
KM PRE-ETCH 210 is supplied as two concentrates. Both are used for make up and replenishment.
Equipment
Tanks: Stainless steel 304, 316
Heaters Stainless steel heaters 304, 316 are recommended. Do not use quartz heaters
Agitation: Ensure adequate air or mechanical agitation to eliminate thermal stratification and to ensure homogeneous mixing
Filtration: Filtration (5 micron) is recommended to remove dirt and precipitates from the operating solution. Filters, pumps and all external piping should be constructed of stainless steel
Ventilation: Recommended
KM WE 220 USE IN MIXED CHROMIC ACID-SULFURIC ACID ETCHING SOLUTIONS
Physical Properties:
KM WE 220: Liquid
Description
KM WE 220 decreases etch surface tension, thereby allowing the etch to uniformly attack the plastic surface and promotes rapid solution drainage from etched parts. It is suitable for use with any plastic substrate that requires a mix of chromic-sulfuric acid etch and may be used in either bulk or rack systems.
Equipment
Tank: PDVF / TEFLON
Heater: Quartz
Ventilation: Recommended
KM NE 230 NEUTRALISER FOR PLATING ON PLASTICS AND OTHER NON-CONDUCTORS
Physical Properties:
KM NE 230: Corrosive Salt
Description
KM NE 230 is used to neutralise small traces of hexavalent chromic acid remaining on parts or racks after etching in a chromic acid/sulfuric acid etch. It also can be used to neutralise the alkali residuals after an alkaline etching.
KM NE 230 improves adhesion of the electroplated deposit and prevents contamination of subsequent process solutions.
Equipment
Tank: PP, PVC or H.D. PP lined
Filtration: Used to remove the solid contaminations
Ventilation: Recommended
KM CAT 240 PALLADIUM-TIN-ACTIVATION FOR PLATING ON NON-METALLIC SUBSTRATES
Physical Properties:
KM CAT 240: Corrosive Liquid
Description
KM CAT 240 is a concentrated solution made of palladium chloride and tin (II) chloride which has been dissolved in hydrochloric acid.
By immersing non-metallic substrates in KM CAT 240 bath solution, a thin, finely colloidal palladium film is formed on the non-metallic surfaces which has been previously roughened. This palladium film initiates the formation of dense, adherent, fine-grained electroless copper/nickel deposit in the subsequent electroless copper/nickel plating bath.
KM CAT 240 is supplied as a single liquid concentrate and bath make up is just mix with deionised water, hydrochloric acid (37%, AR grade), sodium chloride and tin (II) chloride.
Equipment
Tank: PP, PVC or Polyethylene
Heater: Telfon coil or Quartz
Agitation: Mechanical moderate agitation
Filtration: Filtration through 1~3 μm PP filter cartridge. The filter unit and pump must be of non- metallic materials
Exhaust: Required
KM ACC 250 PROMOTER FOR PLATING ON PLASTICS AND NON CONDUCTORS
Physical Properties:
KM ACC 250: Corrosive Salt
Description
KM ACC 250 is specially designed to promote high activator efficiency by removing excess tin from plastic surfaces following Sn-Pd activation. KM ACC 250 can also prevent rack or resist plating.
KM ACC 250 is supplied as a dry salt, which is used with sulphuric acid in deionised water.
Equipment
Tank: PP, PVC or H.D. PP lined
Heater: Telfon Coils
Agitation: Moderate, uniform air agitation required
Ventilation: Recommended
KM EN 801 ELECTROLESS NICKEL FOR PLATING ON PLASTICS
Physical Properties:
KM EN 801 NICKEL: Liquid
KM EN 802 Reducer: Liquid
KM EN 803 Stabiliser: Liquid
KM EN 804 Nickel Concentrate: Liquid
Description
KM EN 801 electroless nickel process chemically deposits a high quality, smooth and uniform nickel coating with excellent adhesion properties on an activated plastic surface.
KM EN 801 electroless nickel is suitable for either bulk and rack plating operations before a nickel strike or an acid copper strike prior to bright acid copper plating.
Equipment
Tanks: Polyproplene or PVC lined material with an overflow weir as an option
Heating: Heating should be done with Quartz, PTFE-steam coils or immersion heaters make of SS 304 or 316
Agitation: Do not use air agitation. Mechanical agitation is recommended
Filtration: The use of filters made of high temperature resistant polypropylene and free of any metal components is essential. 5 micron cartridges should be used. Filtration rate of 1.5 turnovers per hour is recommended