Electoplating copper or tin or nickel to NiChrome 1

[toolaholic]

I would like to find out what procedures are in use to apply a flash electroplated finish of copper, tin or nickel to a nickel-chromium electrical resistance alloy. I'm told that this requires extremely harsh activation chemistry. What type of chemistry? Henry Ford said "If you need a tool and do not buy it, you will pay for it anyway"

 

[SethN]

toolaholic
There is a relatively new method called direct metalization which seeds a cunductive polymer to the hole to carry the electroplating current. This replaces the classical platinum seeding method.

 

[toolaholic]

Hi SethN
Thanks for the reference. Direct Metallization is new to me. Can you suggest a place to go for more process data? Also, you mention a hole. What did I miss? Are you referring to a site on the cathode's topology where bonding will occur?

toolaholic Henry Ford said "If you need a tool and do not buy it, you will pay for it anyway"

 

[SethN]

toolaholic
I may have pointed you in the wrong direction, my apologies. Direct metalization is a process in printed circuit board fabrication. The technology may have other applications however. For an overview see:

http://www.electrochemicals.com/tech1.htm#dm

Seth Normyle
Process Engineer