Ecoposit – new palladium-free, low chrome process for plating on plastics

Citation

(2002), "Ecoposit – new palladium-free, low chrome process for plating on plastics", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 49 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2002.12849ead.007

Ecoposit – new palladium-free, low chrome process for plating on plastics

Ecoposit – new palladium-free, low chrome process for plating on plasticsKeywords: Coatings, Corrosion resistance

Shipley's new Ecoposit process is the latest metallisation process designed specifically in response to the needs of the plating on plastics and decorative industries. Ecoposit is said to be a low-chrome and palladium-free direct plating system – giving the user a stable cost product with reduced environmental impact.

Ecoposit also claims several further benefits:

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  a short process with only four steps, including electrolytic nickel, avoiding the need for a separate electroless nickel bath;

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  an exceptionally stable process solution, reducing the requirement for constant bath maintenance;

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  fast, even coverage over the surface of the substrate, ensuring short cycle times, as low as 25 minutes to bright copper;

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  no jig plating (seen with similar products), requiring expensive jig stripping chemistry and process downtime;

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  fully compatible with existing equipment.

Nicolas Messin, business manager for Industrial Finishing at Shipley, explains (see Figure 1): "Many platers were shocked during the last 18 months by the significant movement in the price of palladium, which is widely acknowledged as the leading catalyst in plating on plastics.

"Second, the reduction in chrome VI levels in the process is a priority for the industry. There is less chrome in Ecoposit's etch stage than in the final rinse of most conventional processes. The process also has no ammonia, phosphorus or chelates and thus minimises environmental impact."

Figure 1 Palladium price 1998-2002 (US$ per troy ounce)

In responding to these concerns, Shipley believes that it has developed another best-in-class product, clearly demonstrating its firm commitment to the surface engineering industry. With cost, response time and flexibility the primary drivers in industrial finishing, it also considers that its efforts are focused on delivering processes which help its customers to manage their yields and through-put. The company considers that interest shown in these and others of its new processes for plastics clearly reflects that it is on the right course.

Further details are available from: Shipley Europe Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 24 7665 4400; Fax: +44 (0) 24 7665 4458; E-mail: infoUK@shipley.com; Web site: www.shipley.com