Plating on plastic

In 2013, KB Components launched its chrome-plating division with the primary objective of providing fully integrated chrome-plating on plastic components to our clientele. The venture has proven to be fruitful, and we take pride in managing an up-to-date chrome-plating section that adheres to all safety and environmental regulations.

Our chrome-plating department has been a boon for us, as we can offer our clients a comprehensive range of services under one roof. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with advanced technology, enabling us to provide high-quality, durable chrome-plated finishes on plastic components of varying sizes and shapes. We are committed to meeting our client’s demands and specifications, regardless of the complexity or size of the project.
We understand the importance of environmental sustainability and, therefore, ensure that our production process is safe and eco-friendly. Our chrome-plating operations are carried out using the latest techniques and materials that comply with international standards. Moreover, we regularly monitor and review our processes to ensure compliance with all legislation and regulations.

To cater to the evolving needs of our automotive clients, we broadened our offerings in 2019 by adding satin nickel to our existing bright nickel options. Our satin nickel plating service is designed to meet the specific needs of our clients, providing a smooth and even finish that is resistant to wear and tear. With our chrome-plating and nickel-plating services, we can provide our clients with a complete range of decorative and functional finishes for their plastic components.

In summary, KB Components’ chrome-plating department is a reliable and sustainable solution for your chrome-plating needs. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work and our commitment to meeting our client’s requirements. Contact us today to learn more about our chrome-plating services and how we can help you achieve the perfect finish for your plastic components.

Plating on plastic’s line Capabilities

Maximum plating size 1800×900×350 mm

Plating on plastic capacity 60,000 m2/year

Typical plating on plastic parameters: 

  • Copper 10–30µm
  • Nickel 5–15µm
  • Chrome 0.1–0.3µm

Material that we can plate:  

  • ABS
  • ABS/PC
  • PA6
  • PA66

Line is prepared for plating on plastic: 

  • Bright nickel
  • Semi-bright nickel
  • Satin nickel

Plating on plastic process in six major steps

  1. Cleaning

Removes grease, fingerprints and impurities which would otherwise badly affect the adhesion.

  1. Surface preparation

The surface conditioner, which is prepared from special acids, transforms the structure of the plastic surface in such a way that a strong adhesion can be obtained between it and the chemical nickel/copper. This conditioning is an important step in the chemical treatment of plastic for electroplating. Defects related to poor adhesion are mostly caused by surface conditioning.

  1. Surface activation

The surface activator contains palladium, which attaches itself to the surface of the plastic. The component is then immersed in an accelerator to remove a protective film from the surface of the palladium.

  1. Electroless nickel deposition

The activated component is then immersed in an electroless nickel solution, which deposits a thin layer of metal over the entire plastic substrate. This metal layer then becomes the conductor for subsequent electroplating.

  1. Electrolytic copper plating
  2. Electrolytic plating, nickel and chrome

Demands on ABS/PC for plating on plastic parts are as follows

  • Material moisture content <0.02%
  • Design gates/in-moulds for tension free-mould flow
  • Plateable ABS/PC
  • Possibility to rack

Demands on moulding for plating on plastic

  • Proper drying of resin
  • ABS must be pre-dried for 2–3 hrs at 80–85 °C prior to moulding
  • Proper fill speeds
  • Small components up to 90 g: 5–7 secs
  • Large components over 90 g: up to 25 secs
  • Proper melt temperature: 245–270 °C
  • Too-cold melt temperature causes internal stress, leading to uneven etch and thermal cycling test failure
  • Too-hot melt temperature may cause the material to degrade and give poor adhesion
  • Proper mould temperature: 65–80 °C
  • Too-cold mould will cause the plastic to flake. Material which hits the mould wall hardens and the hot material under it flows, creating a surface skin effect that may cause delamination
  • Proper cooling time: up to 30 secs
  • Longer cooling times increase risk of internal stresses
  • Highly polished mould
  • Poor mould surfaces can cause defects in the moulded part

Contact

Anders Abrahamsson
anders.abrahamsson@kbcomponents.com