Experimental evaluation of selectively laser sintered polyamide 12 surface treatment for direct electrodeposition

Abstract

The paper deals with the problem of electrodeposition of metallic coatings on previously nonconductive materials. In connection with rapid prototyping of 3D printing an easy and effective method for electroplating nonconductive materials should be found. In this case polyamide 12 (PA12) has been chosen for a base material and copper (Cu) for the metallic coating. Samples prepared by selective laser sintering (SLS) differing in roughness and pretreatment were used. Graphite was sprayed on the samples to ensure their conductivity. Cu coating was deposited electrolytically from an acidic copper electrolyte. Coating roughness was measured and compared with the roughness of bare samples. The thickness of the deposited layer was calculated, and the data were then compared with destructive measurements on a scanning electron microscope. To test the adhesion of the Cu coating to the substrate, the bending test was used. Cu coating was successfully deposited on previously nonconductive samples. Their conductivity was easily obtained by spraying them with graphite. The results indicate that the use of vaporization prior to Cu coating deposition leads to better coating properties according to the tests performed.