Vented plated polymer

Abstract

A vented plated polymer component is disclosed. The vented plated polymer component may comprise a polymer substrate, a metal plating deposited on a surface of the polymer substrate, and at least one vent formed through the metal plating. The at least one vent may extend from an outer surface of the metal plating to the surface of the polymer substrate, and it may be sized to allow an escape of a gas from the polymer substrate to an external environment surrounding the plated polymer component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plated polymer component, comprising:
 a polymer substrate;   a metal plating deposited on a surface of the polymer substrate; and   at least one vent formed through the metal plating.   
     
     
         2 . The plated polymer component of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent extends from an outer surface of the metal plating to the surface of the polymer substrate. 
     
     
         3 . The plated polymer component of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one vent is sized to allow an escape of a gas from the polymer substrate to an external environment surrounding the plated polymer component. 
     
     
         4 . The plated polymer component of  claim 3 , wherein the polymer substrate is fully encapsulated in the metal plating. 
     
     
         5 . The plated polymer component of  claim 3 , wherein the plated polymer component has a fireproof side and a weakened side, and wherein the at least one vent is localized on the weakened side of the plated polymer component. 
     
     
         6 . The plated polymer component of  claim 5 , wherein the escape of the gas from the polymer substrate occurs through the weakened side of the plated polymer component. 
     
     
         7 . The plated polymer component of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one vent has a diameter in the range of about 0.8 mm to about 6.4 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The plated polymer component of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one vent is normal to the outer surface of the metal plating. 
     
     
         9 . The plated polymer component of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one vent is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the outer surface of the metal plating. 
     
     
         10 . A method for fabricating a plated polymer component, comprising:
 forming a polymer substrate;   depositing a metal plating on a surface of the polymer substrate; and   forming at least one vent through the metal plating such that the at least one vent extends from an outer surface of the metal plating to the surface of the polymer substrate.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein forming the at least one vent through the metal plating comprises forming the at least one vent on a weakened side of the plated polymer component. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein forming the at least one vent through the metal plating comprises drilling or machining the at least one vent through the metal plating. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein forming the at least one vent comprises masking a surface of the polymer substrate while depositing the metal plating on the surface of the polymer substrate to create the at least one vent. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein forming the at least one vent through the metal plating comprises introducing a contaminant onto the surface of the polymer substrate prior depositing the metal plating on the surface of the substrate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the contaminant is selected from the group consisting of an oil and an overconductive paint. 
     
     
         16 . A plated polymer component having a polymer substrate, a metal plating deposited on a surface of the polymer substrate, and at least one vent formed through the metal plating, the plated polymer component being fabricated by a method comprising:
 forming the polymer substrate;   depositing the metal plating on the surface of the polymer substrate; and   forming the at least one vent through the metal plating such that the at least one vent extends from an outer surface of the metal plating to the surface of the polymer substrate.   
     
     
         17 . The plated polymer component of  claim 16 , wherein forming the at least one vent through the metal plating comprises forming the at least one vent on a weakened side of the plated polymer component. 
     
     
         18 . The plated polymer component of  claim 16 , wherein forming the at least one vent through the metal plating comprises drilling or machining the at least one vent through the metal plating. 
     
     
         19 . The plated polymer component of  claim 16 , wherein depositing the metal plating on the surface of the substrate comprises:
 preparing the surface of the polymer substrate for receiving a catalyst;   activating the surface of the polymer substrate by depositing the catalyst on the surface of the polymer substrate;   depositing a first layer on the catalyst by electroless deposition;   depositing a second layer on the first layer by electrolytic deposition, the second layer being conductive; and   depositing the metal plating on the second layer.   
     
     
         20 . The plated polymer component of  claim 19 , wherein forming the at least one vent through the metal plating comprises introducing a contaminant onto the surface of the polymer substrate prior to or after depositing the second layer on the first layer by electrolytic deposition.