Method to extend the bathlife of alkaline accelerator solutions

Details Method to extend the bathlife of alkaline accelerator solutions Method to extend the bathlife of alkaline accelerator solutions

1999-08-16

2001-08-21

Klemanski, Helene (Department: 1755)

Compositions: coating or plastic

Coating or plastic compositions

Metal-depositing composition or substrate-sensitizing...

C106S001110

Reexamination Certificate

active

06277181

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Certain direct plating processes employ an aqueous alkaline solution to improve the conductivity of the film applied to electrically non-conductive surfaces to make them conductive. The direct plating processes to which this invention applies include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,517 by Okabayoshi using microfine colloidal catalyst as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,010 also by Okabayoshi.
Workpieces previously processed through cleaner/conditioner and catalyst baths are contacted with the aqueous alkaline solution. The aqueous alkaline solution causes the conductive film applied from the catalyst bath to the non-conductive surfaces of the work pieces to exhibit lower resistance and higher conductivity. Because the aqueous alkaline solution improves or accelerates the performance of the catalyst, it is called an accelerator bath or accelerator solution.
In the normal course of treating workpieces, the efficiency of the accelerator bath deteriorates. The reduced efficiency is displayed by poorer ability to reduce resistance and simultaneously increase conductivity of the conductive film applied by the catalyst. This results in electroplated metal deposits that may incompletely cover the surface or be less uniform than desirable.
This invention improves the performance of deteriorated alkaline accelerator baths and prolongs their useful life.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a method to extend the bath life of certain alkaline accelerators used in direct plating processes. The method is comprised of the following steps: 1. measuring the pH of the alkaline activator bath, and 2. restoring the pH of the alkaline activator bath to a desired pH range. A means of calculating the additions required to adjust the pH of the alkaline accelerator bath to the desired range is disclosed.
A primary object of this invention is to prolong the life of alkaline accelerator baths.
A further object of this invention is to improve the performance of used accelerator baths.
A still further object of the invention is to avoid insolubilization of cupric ions, if any present in the accelerator bath.
Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3798050 (1974-03-01), Franz et al.
patent: 4153746 (1979-05-01), Kilthau
patent: 4259113 (1981-03-01), Nuzzi et al.
patent: 4933010 (1990-06-01), Okabayashi

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