6038. Twin moulded non conducting plastic also getting plated

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Letter 6038

Twin moulded non conducting plastic also getting plated.

We have received a twin material ABS - polycarbonate logo to be Satin nickel plated only on the grey ABS portion.

Our problem is that the blue polycarbonate, supposedly nonconducting material is also getting partially / fully covered with plating.

What are we doing wrong ; is it the chromic acid etch, or the silver nitrate based activation or the electroless copper.

How can we avoid coating the blue polycarbonate ?

Khozema Vahanwala
Automaxx

Bangalore, Karnataka, India

I think the only real difference between ABS and polycarbonate from a plating perspective is that ABS etches better for better adhesion of the plating; there is nothing inherent in the polycarbonate that prevents it from becoming activated and getting plated. I haven't worked on a similar job, so I could be completely wrong, but I don't think you'll solve this problem through chemistry adjustments, but only by masking at some point.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey

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