Study on the technology of copper electrodeposition on the surface of ABS plastics

A technology for copper electrodeposition on the surface of ABS plastic was introduced. The process flow was presented as follows: surface preparation, destressing, roughening, sensitization, activation, electroless copper plating and acid bright copper electroplating. The process conditions for copper electroplating on ABS plastics were determined by parallel test as follows: anhydrous copper sulfate 140 g/L, sulfuric acid 60 g/L, chloride ion 30 mg/L, brightening agent 3 mL/L, phosphorized copper anode (0.03%-0.06% phosphorus), temperature 40 °C, current density 1.5-3.0 A/dm2 and electroplating time 5 min. The results of scanning electron microscopy and performance test showed that the copper deposit on ABS plastics is bright, uniform and well-adhered.