Plating on Plastics. Fundamentals and processes, state-of-the-art and future development
The nineties saw a revolution in metalplating of plastics: The Futuron technology developed by ATOTECH for the first time allowed direct plating coatings of plastic surfaces. The main edge of Futuron over conventional techniques is seen in the fact that all the steps inherent in electroless metalplating become unnecessary. In the conventional process, electroless chemical nickel and copper baths were used after the plastic surface had been prepared and activated. The galvanic coating was then applied to the electroless chemical deposition. With Futuron no electroless chemical metal plating is used. A potential source of error is thereby eliminated in the platingonplastics process. In recent years, polyamide (PA) has proved to be a plastic material suitable for a great variety of industrial applications. Atotechs new polyamide pretreatment method, Noviganth PA, offers many benefits for the electroplater, as no chromicsulfuric acid is needed. The system is distinguished among other things by its ease of use and short but reliable pretreatment. The Noviganth PA system is especially suitable for mineral filled polyamides which, for example, are used for door handles in the automotive industry.