Chrome-free satin challenge
Plating on Plastics Chemical preparation for plating on plastics process

Chromium-free satin finishing processes can achieve the same degree of etching as a more or less concentrated chromium satin finishing process, in terms of roughness, adhesion and surface analysis, as previously presented.

However, chrome-free satin finishing processes must not only meet the challenge of metallizing ABS and/or PC/ABS parts, they must also :

• be stable and efficient over time, such as the CrVI etching process, to support industrial production around the clock;

• offer the same degree of selectivity as a chromic process, i.e. :

  • metallizing the parts to be treated, while avoiding metallizing the fixtures to which the parts are attached;

  • metallizing only the ABS part of the part during the process if several plastic materials (ABS and PC, for example) make up the part, as is the case in certain sectors...