As an Amazon Associate & eBay Partner: we earn from qualifying purchases

Ask Grok.com, or ChatGPT, or Google: "Best website for metal finishing questions?"

Home /
T.O.C.
Fun
FAQs
Good
Books
Ref.
Libr.
Adver-
tise
Help
Wanted
Current
Q&A's
Site 🔍
Search
finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry


  -----

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 ?

Khozem Vahaanwala
Khozem Vahaanwala
Saify Ind
supporting advertiser
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
saify logo
2000



"Electroless Plating"
by Mallory & Hajdu
en_mallory1990
on eBay
or Amazon
or AbeBooks
(affil link)
"Electroless Copper and Nickel-phosphorous Plating"
by Sha, Wu, & Keong
ec-en_sha2011
on eBay
or Amazon
or AbeBooks
(affil link)

Hi, KV.

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.

But I am not familiar with silver nitrate being a part of an ABS plating cycle. As far as I know, you use palladium seed chemistry for electroless copper or nickel, not silver nitrate.

Ted Mooney, finishing.com
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha

finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

Ted is available for instant help
or longer-term assistance.






No dead threads! If this page isn't already on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will move it there.

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread



Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories:

Finishing
Jobshops
Capital
Equipment
Chemicals &
Consumables
Consult'g,
& Software


About/Contact  -  Privacy Policy  -  ©1995-2025 finishing.com, Pine Beach, New Jersey, USA  -  about "affil links"