SelectConnect PoP
SelectConnect PoP (Plating on Plastic) utilizes a Surface Activation Method and Ionic Palladium Plating Line for metallizing hard to plate plastics without the need for chromic acid or mechanical etching. The process conforms to MIL-DTL-38999 specifications for Automotive, Medical, Military, Aerospace and other applications.
SelectConnect utilizes a sulfonation process to prepare the surfaces for plating. Sulfonation prepares the surface for plating without the use of chromic acid or mechanical etching. According to Frank Wagner, Manageing Director ASF Central at MacDermid Industial Solutions, ” The process yields a nice uniform, smooth finish with better adhesion than currently accepted methods”.
The process allows for plating on Ultem ® (Polyetherimide), PEEK (polyether ether ketone ), Nylon (polyamide) and Acetal. These non-mettalic compounds are impossible to plate otherwise.
The benefits of plating on the above materials are:
- More Strength (glass/carbon reinforced)
- High Temperature Capacity
- Lower Weight (approximately 50% less than aluminum)
The main characteristics of sulfonated parts vs. chemically etched or mechanically abraded parts are:
- High adhesion values
- Smooth surfaces which retain the substrate profiles
- RoHS compliant
SelectConnect Technologies is proud to be one of the only companies in North America with the capabilitiy to offer the Surface Activation Method and Ionic Palladium Plating of plastics to meet MIL-DTL-38999
