Process For Copper Plating Of Polyamide Articles

Abstract

This invention relates to a process for metal-coating a polyamide surface, to achieve metal-polyamide adhesion, and such metal-coated polyamide articles.

1 . A process for applying a copper-coating to a polyamide article, the process comprising the steps of:
 i) chemically treating a surface of a polyamide article to provide an electrically conductive polyamide article;   ii) immersing the electrically conductive polyamide article into an electroplating solution comprising:
 (a) 188-250 ml/L copper sulfate 
 (b) 47-78 ml/L sulfuric acid 
 (c) 20-200 mg/L chloride ion 
 (d) greater than 1.0-2.4% of Aldolyte AC-12E 
 (e) greater than 1.25 ml/L of Aldolyte AC-14L 
 (f) greater than 3-6% Aldolyte AC-W-22 
   iii) applying a cathode current density of 360-601 amp/sq. meter to an electroplating solution cathode using phosphorized copper anodes to obtain a copper coated polyamide article;   wherein the copper coated polyamide article has a peel strength between the copper and polyamide article surface of greater than 12 N cm −1 ; and   wherein electroplating solution concentrations are based on the total volume of the electroplating solution.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said polyamide article further comprises at least one reinforcing agent. 
     
     
         3 . A metal coated polyamide article obtained by the process of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         4 . A metal coated polyamide article of  claim 3  in the form of electronic components, PDAs, cell phone components, computer notebook components, automotive components, aerospace parts, defense parts, consumer products, medical components, ski and hiking poles, fishing rods, golf club shafts, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, baseball bats, softball bats, bicycle frames, skate blades, snow boards, golf club head face plates, racquets for tennis, racquetball, squash, golf club heads, automotive grill-guards, pedals, fuel rails, running boards, spoilers, muffler tips, wheels, vehicle frames, and structural brackets. 
     
     
         5 . The polyamide article of  claim 1  wherein the polyamide is selected from poly (hexamethylene adipamide), polycaprolactam, poly(hexamethylene dodecanoamide), poly(decamethylene decanamide), poly(hexamethylene terephthalamide), poly(hexamethylene isophthalamide), and blends thereof.