Electroplating of 3D-Printed Components

Abstract

Plastic materials are generally coated so as to impart merits of metals to polymer substrates. Plating on plastics provides reflectivity, abrasion resistance, electrical conductivity, array of decorative lusters, better wear and corrosion resistance, electromagnetic shielding, weight minimization, formability improvements, large impact resistance and weatherproofing, inexpensiveness, flexibility in component designs, and decreased weight in comparison to its metal counterparts. Electroplated plastics are beneficial for electronic industries, petroleum industries, national defense field, toys fabrication industries, automotive and computer body components, electronic housing, wheel cover, lamp housing, ventilation, air conditioning components, pipes and fitting, etc. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and ABS-like substrates are significant, since they may be fabricated by modern additive manufacturing (AM) methods and coating can be carried out. AM technology consists of methods like stereolithography, selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, laminated object manufacturing, solid ground curing, and solid creation system. Metallization may be subdivided into two parts, electroless coating and electroplating. Electroless coating uniformly coats an electrically conductive metallic layer on insulating ABS substrates and readies the surface for subsequent adherent plating of electroplated layer. Electroplating stage with the aid of current 34coats additional thickness of metals such as copper, nickel, or chrome, whenever needed by part or for finishing requirements.