Macdermid Acumen, Inc.

Other

Rohm & Haas Electronic Materials LLC

Craig Robinson

Trevor Pearson

Amrik Singh

Roshan V Chapaneri

Alison Hyslop

Michael P Toben

André Egli

Terence Clarke

Keith J Whitlaw

Jeffrey N Crosby

Terrence Clark

An electrolytic cell and a method of electrochemical oxidation of manganese(II) ions to manganese(III) ions in the electrolytic cell are described. The electrolytic cell comprises (1) an electrolyte solution of manganese(II) ions in a solution of at least one acid; (2) a cathode immersed in the electrolyte solution; and (3) an anode immersed in the electrolyte solution and spaced apart from the cathode. Various anode materials are described including vitreous carbon, reticulated vitreous carbon, woven carbon fibers, lead and lead alloy. Once the electrolyte is oxidized to form a metastable complex of manganese(III) ions, a platable plastic may be contacted with the metastable complex to etch the platable plastic. In addition, a pretreatment step may also be performed on the platable plastic prior to contacting the platable plastic with the metastable complex to condition the plastic surface.

Electrolytic generation of manganese (III) ions in strong sulfuric acid

A method of preparing a solution capable of etching a platable plastic. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing an electrolyte comprising a solution of manganese(II) in a solution of 9 to 15 molar sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid to an electrolytic cell; (b) applying a current to the electrolytic cell, wherein the electrolytic cell comprises an anode and a cathode; and (c) oxidizing the electrolyte to form manganese(III) ions, wherein the manganese(III) ions form a metastable sulfate complex. Thereafter, a platable plastic may be immersed in the metastable sulfate complex for a period of time to etch the platable substrate prior to subsequent plating steps.

Etching of plastic using acidic solutions containing trivalent manganese

A method for plating tin or a tin alloy on a substrate such that whiskers are prevented form forming or the number of whickers is reduced in number as well as size.

Tin plating method

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Coventry, United Kingdom

Craig Robinson