US4775557A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Composition and process for conditioning the surface of polycarbonate resins prior to metal plating
Assignee: MacDermid Enthone Inc
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Filing: 1987-11-09
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Granted: 1988-10-04
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Expires: 2007-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A process for specially conditioning and etching a polycarbonate resin prior to metal plating to enhance the coverage and adhesiveness of metal plating to the resin. The swellant composition comprises a compound represented by the general formula, R.sub.1 (OC.sub.n H.sub.2n).sub.m O--R.sub.2 wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of aryl groups and alkyl groups of 1-4 carbon atoms, n is 2 to 4 and m is 1 to 5. The swelled resin is then etched using, preferably, a highly alkaline composition such as a solution containing greater than about 100 g/l NaOH. Other etchants such as chromic acid may also be used. The resin is now ready for plating using conventional techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin W. Bastenbeck
- 👤 Juan Haydu
- 👤 Richard A. Bellemare, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:19
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C18/00; C23C18/16; C23C18/18; C08; C08J; C08J7/00; C08J7/02; C08J7/12; C23C18/20; C23C18/22; C08J2369/00; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/10; H05K3/18; H05K3/181; H05K3/38; H05K3/381
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A process for treating a polycarbonate resin prior to etching to enhance the coverage and adhesiveness of metal plating to the etched resin comprising: (1) contacting the resin for an effective time and an effective temperature with a swellant composition comprising: a compound represented by the general formula, R.sub.l (OC.sub.n H.sub.2n).sub.m O--R.sub.2 wherein R l and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of aryl groups and alkyl groups of 1-4 carbon atoms, n is 2 to 4 and m is 1 to 5 in an amount, by volume, greater than about 10%.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A process for treating a polycarbonate resin prior to etching to enhance the coverage and adhesiveness of metal plating to the etched resin comprising: (1) contacting the resin for an effective time and an effective temperature with a swellant composition comprising: a compound represented by the general formula, R.sub.l (OC.sub.n H.sub.2n).sub.m O--R.sub.2 wherein R l and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of aryl groups and alkyl groups of 1-4 carbon atoms, n is 2 to 4 and m is 1 to 5 in an amount, by volume, greater than about 10%.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising treating the swelled resin with an etchant comprising an alkaline solution containing greater than about 100 g/l NaOH.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein the swellant contains an alkali metal hydroxide in an amount of about 20 g/l to 150 g/l.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein R l and R 2 are CH 3 ; n is 2 and m is 2.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The swellant composition of claim 2 containing about 20 g/l to 100 g/l alkali metal hydroxide, and the etchant composition contains about 100 g/l to 250 g/l compound alkali metal hydroxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition of claim 5 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the temperature of the etching step is about 50° C. to 90° C. and the time is less than about 30 minutes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the temperature of the etching step is about 50° to 90° C. and the contact time is less than about 10 minutes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the resin is an enclosure for electronic equipment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the treated enclosure is metallized by activating and electroless plating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the article is rinsed with hot water followed by cold water after both the swellant and etchant steps.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 wherein R 1 and R 2 are methyl groups, n is 2 and m is 2, the contact time is 2 to 10 minutes and the temperature is room temperature to 50° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 12 further comprising treating the swelled resin with an etchant selected from the group consisting of chromic acid, sulfuric acid, or combinations thereof and permanganate solutions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising treating the swelled resin with an etchant selected from the group consisting of chromic acid, sulfuric acid, or combinations thereof and permanganate solutions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 13 wherein after the swelling step the swelled resin is rinsed with hot water followed by a cold water rinse and then treated with the etchant.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 14 wherein after the swelling step the swelled resin is rinsed with hot water followed by a cold water rinse and then treated with the etchant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising treating the swelled resin with an alkaline etchant composition wherein the alkalinity is provided by a hydroxide component in amounts up to saturation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising treating the swelled resin with an alkaline solution having a pH greater than 10.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 18 wherein the pH is greater than 13.
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) | 1991-10-04 | 1992-04-04 | 1992-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-04 | 1996-04-04 | 1996-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-04 | 2000-04-04 | 2000-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |