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Plating of Engineering Plastics

I am designing probe fixturing for the medical industry. We have a need to create conductive probe card covers from plastics, preferably Delrin, G4, or Linen based Phenolic. These materials are all available and readily machineable. Is there a way to electroplate any of these materials?

Jim Ellis
Design Engineer - Tempe, Arizona, USA
2004

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I am not sure what G4 is, so I cannot comment on it. However, the other plastics can be metallised with conventional systems, but the only drawback is their medical application. The most common way to etch most plastics is to use hexavalent chromium, but in this case I suspect you may raise a few eyebrows and cause some concern with the medical practitioners! Plating onto plastics is reasonably easy once you have the technology and expertise, but it takes time and knowledge to develop these skills. You will also need approval to operate the processes and to dispose of the waste chemicals. I would therefore suggest you seek a reliable subcontractor who regularly plates onto plastics.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2004

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Jim,

There is now a platable Delrin on the market. It requires a proprietary etching technology.

Francis Fetizanan
Chemicals - Wilmington, DE, USA
2004