In the plastic plating process, the appearance of pinholes and pockmarks of the product often need to rework processing, increasing the production time and cost. If the defects are serious, the product may even be scrapped, resulting in a waste of resources. There are four triggers, this issue of the article we first analyze one of them, which is the electroless copper plating solution precipitation state is not good.
In plastic electroless plating process, copper plating process or nickel plating process is used more. In the electroless copper plating solution, the commonly used reducing agent is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde has a strong reducing ability under alkaline conditions, so there is a possibility of non-catalytic adverse reactions in the electroless copper plating bath.
The resulting Cu2O is entrapped in the plating layer, and if the surface of the Cu2O continues to be reduced, metallic copper is produced on its surface, which is the cause of the decomposition of the plating solution, or what we call the undesirable state.
How to solve this problem? We can take the method of air stirring, relying on the oxygen in the air, the monovalent copper oxidized to divalent copper, thus hindering the reaction of Cu2O, this operation will help to avoid the decomposition of the plating solution.
Conclusion
The presence of pinholes and pockmarks directly affects the uniformity and smoothness of the plating layer, which leads to uneven or mottled surface of the final product. At the same time, when the quality of the product is poor and surface defects occur frequently, it will damage the reputation of the plating plant and affect customer satisfaction and market share.
In order to maintain high quality plating and increase the competitiveness of the plating plant, we can use Bigely electroless copper plating additives, which maintain the chemical stability of the plating solution and reduce production problems caused by fluctuations in composition. This helps to extend the service life of the plating bath and reduces the frequency of replacement and maintenance.
If you have any demands for electroless copper plating additives, please feel free to contact us.