Formation of Plating Films on Polyphenylene Sulfide （PPS） Resins Treated by Atmospheric UV Irradiation

Abstract

Polyphenylene sulfide（PPS）, a heat-resistant crystalline polymer with a simple chemical construction, has a high melting point of about 280 ℃, outstanding chemical resistance, and noncombustibility established by an industry flammability test with no flame retardant chemicals. Furthermore, PPS is widely used in various fields based on its properties. When the PPS is plated, surface roughening is conventionally treated with a solution of hydrofluoric acid. However, the waste solution of this acid is difficult to treat correctly. It is therefore necessary to resolve this difficulty. This study investigated the plating process on PPS treated using atmospheric UV irradiation. High-quality electroless NiP plating was visually confirmed on the PPS resin surface by surface modification using atmospheric UV treatment. Adhesion strength of about 0.8 kN m^－1 was obtained for the treatment. Therefore, plating on the PPS resins was possible after atmospheric UV irradiation, which is environmentally friendly.