Summary for plating on plastics Discussion
Nickel and cobalt plating on plastic is discussed as a standard plating-on-plastics problem rather than a special one. Frederick John Jeffers Cummins Allison asks how to plate magnetic nickel or cobalt onto thermoplastic powder such as polystyrene, noting that surface activation with PdCl2 seems likely but the details are unclear. In response, the answerer says there are many books and internet resources that explain plating on plastics, and that the process is too long to cover fully for someone without experience. He notes that the technique is widely used with polystyrene, so obtaining a proven process should not be difficult. He also recommends using polystyrene with a few percent butadiene, such as HIPS or MIPS, because that improves adhesion and makes processing easier. Since the chemicals are likely to be purchased rather than mixed in-house, he suggests asking a chemical supply house for process specifications.
Q. I need to plate magnetic material, nickel or cobalt, onto a thermo plastic powder like polystyrene. I realize that this involves activating the surface with something like PdCl2 but I don’t know the details. I am looking for help.
Frederick John Jeffers
Cummins Allison – California, USA
2005
A. There are numerous books and internet sites (even this site) that can tell you how to plate on plastics (POP). The process is too long to fully describe here, especially if you have no experience in it. The technique is widely used with polystyrene, so getting the process will not be difficult. I would suggest you use polystyrene with a few percent of butadiene (HIPS or MIPS), as this will make adhesion better and processing easier. I suspect you will need to buy in all the chemicals, so you could also ask your chemical supply house to give you the process specifications.
Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2005
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