Patent US4520046A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4520046A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal plating on plastics
Assignee: Shipley Co Inc
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Filing: 1983-06-30
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Granted: 1985-05-28
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Expires: 2003-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A simple and highly effective process for preparing the surface and plating a plastic or elastomer material is disclosed by the present invention. A uniform, highly adherent metal layer is deposited by the claimed process. The surface of the materials to be plated is prepared by exposure to a gas etch atmosphere and activation of the etched surface by providing a metal colloid thereon. Another aspect relates to the use of a one-step or two-step conditioner treatment in the process for improved results. After the surface preparation and activation, a desired metal coating can be electroless metal plated in a conventional manner.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. McCaskie
- 👤 Chris Tsiamis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:17
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C18/00; C23C18/16; C23C18/18; C23C18/20; C23C18/28; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/10; H05K3/18; H05K3/181; H05K3/38; H05K3/381
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A process for metal plating the surface of a plastic or elastomeric material comprising the steps of (a) gas-etching the surface of said material with sulfur trioxide, (b) treating the etched surface with a conditioning agent comprising a non-ionic surfactant to render the surface acceptable for activation with a catalytic metal colloid, (c) depositing said activating colloid from a colloidal metal solution, and (d) plating a metal coating upon the activated surface from an electroless metal bath.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A process for metal plating the surface of a plastic or elastomeric material comprising the steps of (a) gas-etching the surface of said material with sulfur trioxide, (b) treating the etched surface with a conditioning agent comprising a non-ionic surfactant to render the surface acceptable for activation with a catalytic metal colloid, (c) depositing said activating colloid from a colloidal metal solution, and (d) plating a metal coating upon the activated surface from an electroless metal bath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said atmosphere contains a sufficient amount of water vapor to improve the degree of etch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said metal colloid is a noble metal colloid or a transition metal colloid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 3 wherein said noble metal colloid is a colloid of palladium, platinum, silver, or gold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 3 wherein said transition metal colloid is a colloid of copper, nickel, cobalt, or iron.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process according to claim 1 in which the surface is cleaned with an alkaline solution after conditioning.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process according to claim 1 in which the conditioning agent contains the alkaline cleaner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process according to claim 6 in which the surface is subsequently neutralized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process according to claim 7 in which the surface is subsequently neutralized.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
A process for metal plating the surface of a plastic or elastomeric material comprising the steps of (a) subjecting the surface of said material to the gas-etching atmosphere of sulfur trioxide, (b) controlling the gas-etching reaction to a point wherein the surface will accept a uniform deposit of an activating colloid, (c) depositing said activating colloid from a colloidal activating metal solution, and (d) plating a metal coating upon the activated surface from an electroless metal bath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
77 words
A process for metal plating the surface of a plastic or elastomeric material comprising the steps of (a) subjecting the surface of said material to the gas-etching atmosphere of sulfur trioxide, (b) controlling the gas-etching reaction to a point wherein the surface will accept a uniform deposit of an activating colloid, (c) depositing said activating colloid from a colloidal activating metal solution, and (d) plating a metal coating upon the activated surface from an electroless metal bath.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process according to claim 10 wherein said atmosphere contains a sufficient amount of water vapor to improve the degree of etch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process according to claim 10 wherein said metal colloid is a colloid is a noble metal colloid or a transition metal colloid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 11 wherein said noble metal colloid is a colloid of palladium, platinum, silver, or gold.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 10 wherein said transition metal colloid is a colloid of copper, nickel, cobalt, or iron.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process according to claim 1 which further comprises the step of reinforcing the metal layer deposited from said electroless plating bath by depositing additional metal plating on said material electrolytically.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process according to claim 10 which further comprises the step of reinforcing the metal layer deposited from said electroless plating bath by depositing additional metal plating on said material electrolytically.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-05-27 | 1988-11-26 | 1989-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-27 | 1992-11-26 | 1993-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-27 | 1996-11-26 | 1997-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |