Decorating electroless plating

Architectural Glass. The other important commercial glass-platiag appHcation is for production of architectural reflective glasses. Translucent metal films are used for decoration and for reduction of environmental heat gain. Electroless plating is used by one producer for this type of product (48). 

Carbon nanotubes have been decorated with metal nanoparticies of Au, Ag, Pt, Pd and Co employing different procedures such as the click reaction [107], microwave treatment [106], electroless plating [108] and laser irradiation of mixtures of the individual components [109]. Pt-carbon nanotube hybrids have been used as catalysts for the conversion of nitrobenzene to aniline [110]. Tessonier et al. report that MWNTs covered with Pd nanoparticies on the interior walls can be employed for... 

Figure M.3 Layers of construction (a) electroless plating, (b) electrolytic plating, and (c) vacuum metallizing. (Ref Muccio, E.A., Finishing and Decorating Plastic Part , Plastic Part Technology, ASM International, Materials Park, OH, 1991)...

Electroless nickel (EN) plating is a chemical reduction process that depends upon the catalytic reduction process of nickel ions in an aqueous solution (containing a chemical reducing agent) and the subsequent deposition of nickel metal without the use of electrical energy. Electroless plating processes are widely used in industry to meet the end-use functional requirements and are only rarely used for decorative purposes. 

As of 1990, plastics are plated in fewer than 50 U.S. plants. The aimual electroless chemical costs range from 7—10 million for POP, and 5—7 million for REl shielding. Individual plants process from 4.6 x 10 to >1.3 x 10 /yr of plastic surface area. Automotive items make up over 50% of the market on a plated area basis the remainder is hardware, plumbing, electronics shielding, and decorative items. 

Electroless, electrolytic plating, and vacuum metallizing are processes used to deposit metal surfaces on plastics materials. However, metal surfaces can also be provided by adhesives or hot-stamp methods. Some finished plastic parts must have shiny metallic surfaces. Besides providing a decorative finish, metal coatings may provide an electrical conducting surface, a wear- and corrosion-resistant surface, or added heat deflection. 

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