US4670312A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for preparing aluminum for plating
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-02-07
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Granted: 1987-06-02
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Expires: 2005-02-07
Abstract
Abstract Method for preparing aluminum, especially large aluminum pieces or articles having a surface layer of aluminum oxide for subsequent metal plating wherein the aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate is immersed in a bath containing metal salts and acid such that the acid content relative to the metal salt is sufficient to remove the surface aluminum oxide layer without substantial attack on the underlying aluminum while enabling the permanent deposit thereon of a continuous, smooth, adherent metal or metal alloy coating directly onto the aluminum, thereby replacing the aluminum oxide layer. Subsequent, essentially blister-free electroless or electrolytic plating of nickel or a nickel alloy, copper or a copper alloy onto the metal or metal alloy coated aluminum are made possible thereby.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Ehrsam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:10
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D5/00; C25D5/34; C25D5/42; C25D5/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
Process for preparing an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate, having a surface aluminum oxide layer for subsequent metal plating by a singlestep metal coating process which comprises. immersing said aluminum substrate in a bath comprising nickel salt and manganese salt and an acid halide or mixture of acid halides wherein the acid content of the bath relative to the metal salt is sufficient to remove the aluminum oxide surface layer from the aluminum substrate, and said oxide is replaced with a permanent, smooth, adherent metal coating, without substantially attaching the underlying aluminum substrate and thereby enabling the subsequent electroless or electrolytic deposition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
Process for preparing an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate, having a surface aluminum oxide layer for subsequent metal plating by a singlestep metal coating process which comprises. immersing said aluminum substrate in a bath comprising nickel salt and manganese salt and an acid halide or mixture of acid halides wherein the acid content of the bath relative to the metal salt is sufficient to remove the aluminum oxide surface layer from the aluminum substrate, and said oxide is replaced with a permanent, smooth, adherent metal coating, without substantially attaching the underlying aluminum substrate and thereby enabling the subsequent electroless or electrolytic deposition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
Process of claim 1 wherein the acid halide of the immersion bath is selected from the group comprising, hydrochloric acid, fluoboric acid, hydrofluoric acid and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Process of claim 1 wherein of the immersion bath includes boric or citric acid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Process of claim 1 wherein the immersion bath comprises Nickel chloride hexahydrate: 100 gms./liter Manganous chloride tetrahydrate: 10 gms./liter Hydrochloric acid (37% HCl): 20 ml./liter Hydrofluoric acid (70% HF): 20 ml./liter Citric acid: 50 gms./liter
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Process of claim 1 wherein the immersion bath comprises Nickelous fluoborate: 300 gms./liter Manganous chloride tetrahydrate: 20 gms./liter Boric acid: 50 gms./liter Fluoboric acid (49% HBF 4 ): 125 ml./liter Hydrochloric acid (37% HCl): 50 ml./liter
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
Process of claim 1 wherein the immersion bath comprises Nickelous fluoborate: 150 gms./liter Nickel hydroxyacetate: 135 gms./liter Manganous chloride tetrahydrate: 10 gms./liter Fluoboric acid (49% HBF 4 ): 125 ml./liter Hydrochloric acid (37% HCl): 50 ml./liter
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
Process of claim 1 wherein the immersion bath comprises Nickelous fluoborate: 150 gms./liter Nickel hydroxyacetate: 135 gms./liter Manganous chloride tetrahydrate: 10 gms./liter Cupric chloride dihydrate: 1 gm./liter Fluoboric acid (49% HBF4): 125 ml./liter Hydrochloric acid (37% HCl): 50 ml./liter
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
Process of claim 1 wherein the immersion bath includes a copper salt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
Product comprising the metal coated aluminum substrate obtained by the method of claim 1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
An immersion bath composition for preparing an aluminum substrate having a surface aluminum oxide layer for subsequent metal plating comprising a nickel and a maganese salt and an acid halide or mixture of acid halides wherein the acid content of the bath relative to the metal salt is sufficient to remove an aluminum oxide surface layer on the aluminum substrate, and said oxide is replaced with a permanent, smooth, adherent, essentially blister-free metallic coating directly onto the aluminum without substantially attacking the underlying aluminum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
An immersion bath composition for preparing an aluminum substrate having a surface aluminum oxide layer for subsequent metal plating comprising a nickel and a maganese salt and an acid halide or mixture of acid halides wherein the acid content of the bath relative to the metal salt is sufficient to remove an aluminum oxide surface layer on the aluminum substrate, and said oxide is replaced with a permanent, smooth, adherent, essentially blister-free metallic coating directly onto the aluminum without substantially attacking the underlying aluminum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
Composition of claim 10 wherein the nickel salt is in the concentration range of approximately 1-750 gm/liter whereas the acid is in the concentration range of approximately 1-70 gm/liter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
Composition of claim 10 wherein the acid halide of the immersion bath is selected from the group comprising, hydrofluoric acid (70% HF), hydrochloric acid (37% HCl), fluoboric acid (49% HBF 4 ) and mixtures thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
Composition of claim 10 wherein the immersion bath comprises Nickel chloride hexahydrate: 100 gms./liter Manganous chloride tetrahydrate: 10 gms./liter Hydrochloric acid (37% v/v HCl): 20 ml./liter Hydrofluoric acid (70% v/v HF): 20 ml./liter Citric acid: 50 gms./liter
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
Composition of claim 10 wherein the immersion bath comprises Nickelous fluoborate: 300 gms./liter Manganous chloride tetrahydrate: 20 gms./liter Boric acid: 50 gms./liter Fluoboric acid (49% HBF 4 ): 125 ml./liter Hydrochloric acid (37% HCl): 50 ml./liter
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
Composition of claim 10 wherein the immersion bath comprises Nickelous fluoborate: 150 gms./liter Nickel hydroxyacetate: 135 gms./liter Manganous chloride tetrahydrate: 10 gms./liter Fluoboric acid (49% HBF 4 ): 125 ml./liter Hydrochloric acid (37% v/v HCl): 50 ml./liter
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
Composition of claim 10 wherein the immersion bath comprises Nickelous fluoborate: 150 gms./liter Nickel hydroxyacetate: 135 gms./liter Manganous chloride tetrahydrate: 10 gms./liter Fluoboric acid (49% HBF 4 ): 125 ml./liter Hydrochloric acid (37% v/v HCl): 50 ml./liter
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
Composition of claim 10 wherein the immersion bath includes a copper salt.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-01 | 1990-12-01 | 1991-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-01 | 1994-12-01 | 1995-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-01 | 1998-12-01 | 1999-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |