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Chroming Glass Filled ABS

I am witnessing mechanical weakening of ABS after chroming, and we have tried to chrome a PC-ABS mixture with no success. I am wondering how will the outcome, appearance, durability and adhesion be for chroming Glass Filled ABS?

Thanks for your help,

Marbo Tse
consumer products manufacturing - Hong Kong
2004

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Marbo,

It is possible to plate Ni Cr over PC ABS blends. The etch is critical. So is the selection of a Plating Grade PC ABS blend. Etch in 450 gpl CrO3 + 300 GPL H2SO4 at 70 -Centigrade for 6 to 10 minutes. Or more if needed. This is the major aspect. Rest is similar to your process already being followed.

Regards,

Asif Nurie [deceased]
- New Delhi, India
With deep regret we sadly advise that Asif passed away on Jan 24, 2016
2004

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By mechanical weakening, I presume you mean the chrome plated plastic is more prone to failure than the unplated counterpart. This effect is well knoen in the POP sector and initially caused a lot of problems. Many of the POP practitioners have got over it in their own way, but one way I know of is to use only a very thin layer of electroless copper or nickel, thicken this with a about 5 microns of low stress copper, followed by about 15 microns of low stress nickel. Decorative chrome can be put on top of this. Hopefully, others will give alternative methods of increasing the mechanical strength of plated plastics, as I cannot be sure this is the best solution!

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

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2004

Dear Mr. Tse,

Plating ABS/PC is too complicated to discuss here in detail. Contact the supplier of the plating chemistry, as they should be able to help.

Regards,

Jonathan Timms
- Hong Kong