Successful Pd-free activation of PA12 and PC/ABS plastic surfaces

The activation step in the PoP (Plating on Plastics) process is as important as the etching step. During this step, nickel cations are adsorbed on a previously etched surface as a result of strong physical and chemical interactions between the cations and the hydrophilic plastic surface.

Creative Nano has successfully eliminated the use of SoA (state-of-the-art) colloidal activation solutions containing Pd and Sn compounds (Pd is a critical raw material, Sn is highly toxic) to electrolessly plate the ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) substrate by using nickel salts which are 1000-fold cheaper.

The same experimental procedure was also followed for the activation of Nylon-12 or PA12 (Polyamide 12), left Figure,  and PC/ABS (Polycarbonate/ABS), right Figure, which led to successful metallization of these plastics and therefore broadening the scope of substrates that can be metallized by Creative Nano’s PoP process.