Japan's Daicel Chemical Industry and Daicel Polymer, both based in Tokyo, presented a groundbreaking electroplating technology for resins at the 14th Polymer Materials Forum organized by the Japan Polymer Society. This innovative method eliminates the use of chromic acid, a hazardous compound containing hexavalent chromium, which has traditionally been used in the electroplating process. The technology was developed through collaboration between Daicel Chemical and Daicel Polymer, along with resin manufacturing and plating companies. The key innovation lies in improving both the resin material and the electroplating process, allowing for high-quality metal plating without the need for toxic hexavalent chromium. Currently, about 85% of electroplated resins are made from ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene). In traditional methods, ABS is first treated with chromic acid to create surface irregularities. These irregularities help adsorb platinum (Pt) as a catalyst, enabling electroless nickel plating. This process relies on an anchoring effect to enhance adhesion between the metal layer and the resin. The new technology introduced by Daicel replaces ABS with polyamide (PA) or PA-ABS alloys, eliminating the need for hexavalent chromium entirely. A major breakthrough in this approach is the improvement of additives that enhance the compatibility between PA and ABS, allowing better dispersion of ABS within the PA matrix. Additionally, the process has been modified to expand the PA structure, enabling the formation of a nickel underlayer that grows like roots in soil, significantly improving adhesion strength. This nickel layer is created through electroless plating and can reach several hundred micrometers in thickness. Once this layer is in place, standard electroplating processes can be applied, allowing for the deposition of various metals such as copper, nickel, and chromium using conventional techniques. This advancement not only reduces environmental impact but also opens up new possibilities for safer and more sustainable electroplating solutions in the polymer industry.

PUR Hot Melt Adhesive

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