Patent · US Expired

Metal plated polyamide articles

US4444836A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
7References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 20, 1982
Grant dateApr 24, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 20, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/31681
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved process for preparing metal plated thermoplastic compositions by electroless metal deposition and subsequent electrolytic plating. This process comprises the sequence of etching a filled thermoplastic resin substrate with dilute acid solution, treating with a sensitizer such as a tin salt, activating with a noble metal salt solution, electroless metal deposition using an electroless copper or nickel plating solution, and electrolytic plating with a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, chromium, or combinations thereof. The improvement is in the use of a wollastonite filler having an average particle size of less than about 3.5 microns, wherein 95 numerical percent of the particles are smaller than 10 microns in the longest dimension. The resulting electroplated articles exhibit a mirror-like finish and a peel strength of at least about 3 lbs./in. Also disclosed is a nylon-6 plating composition useful in the process containing the above-described wollastonite filler and an organosilane coupling agent.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.