1. Plastic electroplating
There are many types of plastics for plastic parts, but not all plastics can be electroplated.
Some plastics and metal coatings have poor bonding strength and have no practical value; some physical properties of plastics and metal coatings, such as expansion coefficients, are too different, and it is difficult to ensure their performance in a high temperature difference environment.
The coating is mostly a single metal or alloy, such as titanium target, zinc, cadmium, gold or brass, bronze, etc.; there are also dispersion layers, such as nickel-silicon carbide, nickel-graphite fluoride, etc.; there are also clad layers, such as steel The copper-nickel-chromium layer, the silver-indium layer on the steel, etc. At present, the most used for electroplating is ABS, followed by PP. In addition, PSF, PC, PTFE, etc. also have successful electroplating methods, but they are more difficult.
ABS/PC plastic electroplating process
Degreasing → Hydrophilic → Pre-roughening → Roughening → Neutralization → Whole Surface → Activation → Debonding → Electroless Nickel Immersion → Scorched Copper → Acid Copper Plating → Semi-bright Nickel Plating → High Sulfur Nickel Plating → Bright Nickel Plating → Plating Seal→Chrome Plating
2. Electroplating of locks, lighting and decorative hardware
The base materials of locks, lighting, and decorative hardware are mostly zinc alloy, steel and copper
The typical electroplating process is as follows:
(1) Zinc-based alloy die castings
Polishing → Trichloroethylene degreasing → Hanging → Chemical degreasing → Water washing → Ultrasonic cleaning → Water washing → Electrolytic degreasing → Water washing → Salt activation → Water washing → Pre-plated alkaline copper → Recycling → Water washing → H2SO4 neutralization → Water washing → Coke Phosphate copper plating→recycling→water washing→H2SO4 activation→water washing→acid bright copper→recycling→water washing→a), or other (b to e)
a) Black nickel plating (or gun black) → water washing → drying → wire drawing → spray paint → (red bronze)
b) → Bright nickel plating → recycling → washing → chrome plating → recycling → washing → drying
c) →Imitate gold →recycle →wash →dry →paint →dry
d) →Imitation gold→recycling→washing→black nickel plating→washing→drying→drawing→painting→drying→(green bronze)
e) →Pearl nickel plating →water washing →chrome plating →recycling →water washing →drying
(2) Steel parts (copper parts)
Polishing→ultrasonic cleaning→hanging→chemical degreasing→cathode electrolytic oil removal→anode electrolytic oil removal→water washing→hydrochloric acid activation→water washing→pre-plated alkaline copper→recycling→water washing→H2SO4 neutralization→water washing→acid bright copper→recycling→ Washing → H2SO4 activation → Washing
3. Electroplating of motorcycles, auto parts and steel furniture
The base materials of motorcycle parts and steel furniture are all steel, which adopts multi-layer electroplating process, which has high requirements for appearance and corrosion resistance.
The typical process is as follows:
Polishing → Hanging → Cathodic electrolytic oil removal → Water washing → Acid electrolysis → Water washing → Anode electrolytic oil removal → Water washing → H2SO4 activation → Water washing → Semi-bright nickel plating → Full bright nickel → Recycling → Water washing × 3 → Chrome plating → Recycling → Cleaning × 3 → hang down → dry
4.Plating of sanitary ware accessories
Most of the sanitary ware base materials are zinc alloys, and the grinding is very particular, requiring high brightness and leveling of the coating. There is also a part of sanitary ware with brass base material, and the electroplating process is the same as that of zinc alloy
The typical process is as follows:
Zinc alloy parts:
Polishing → Trichloroethylene degreasing → Hanging → Chemical degreasing → Water washing → Ultrasonic cleaning → Water washing → Electrodeoiling → Water washing → Salt activation → Water washing → Pre-plated alkaline copper → Recycling → Water washing → H2SO4 neutralization → Water washing → Coke Phosphoric acid copper plating → recycling → washing → H2SO4 activation → washing → acid bright copper → recycling → washing → drying → hanging → polishing → dewaxing → washing → alkali copper plating → recycling → washing → H2SO4 neutralization → washing → bright nickel plating (Some requirements are high, and multilayer Ni is also used) → Recycling → Washing × 3 → Chrome plating → Recycling → Washing × 3 → Drying
5. Electroplating of battery shell
The electroplating process and special equipment of the battery case are hot topics in the electroplating industry. It requires the barrel nickel brightener to have particularly good low-DK zone positioning performance and post-processing anti-rust performance.
Typical process flow:
Rolling and degreasing → water washing → activation → water washing → surface conditioning → barrel nickel plating → water washing → film removal → water washing → passivation →
6. Electroplating of automotive aluminum alloy wheels
(1) Process flow
Polishing→shot blasting (optional)→ultrasonic wax removal→water washing→alkali etching and degreasing→water washing→acid etching (lighting)→water washing→sinking zinc (Ⅰ)→water washing→zinc removal→water washing→zinc depositing (Ⅱ)→water washing →Plating dark nickel→washing with acidic bright copper→washing with water→polishing Water wash
(2) Process characteristics
1. The one-step method of degreasing and alkali etching is adopted, which not only saves the process, but also facilitates the removal of pore oil stains, so that the substrate is fully exposed in an oil-free state.
2. Use yellow-free niacin etching solution to reduce environmental pollution and avoid over-corrosion.
3. Multi-layer nickel electroplating system, bright, good leveling; potential difference, stable number of micropores, and high corrosion resistance.
Post time: Mar-22-2023