ELFORMPLATE – technology for 3D prints electroplating was developed to solve the problems of existing plastic plating methods. Thanks to the unique and industrially-protected plastic-metal structure, the electroplated layers exhibit excellent adhesion to the polymer base formed by 3D printing. The interface between plastic and metal is the most stressed point in general plastic-metal components, as the metal layer on the plastic substrate only ever holds mechanically.
Technical layers of copper and nickel that will also refine your plastics
Although the technology was originally developed for MJF (Multi Jet Fusion) printing technology, good results are also achieved for components printed with SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) technology. The ELFORMPLATE technology shows excellent results especially for technical applications, thanks to the possibility of applying thick layers of copper or nickel with thicknesses up to tens of mm. 3D-printed plastic parts refined in this way open up entirely new possibilities for the production of complex components.
ELFORMPLATE – features and benefits:
- creates a metallic look
- increases heat resistance
- speeds up the prototyping process
- increases corrosion and chemical resistance
- increases tensile and flexural strength and flexibility
- increases the resistance of parts to frictional wear
- gives plastics the ability to conduct electricity
- enables the creation of lightweight yet flexible parts
- enables the creation of new types of polymer-metal components and structures
ELFORMPLATE – mechanical properties:
In order to verify the properties of the plastic-metal structure, a 0.1 mm thick layer of copper was deposited on the test plastic bodies by electroforming. The Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) method was chosen as the most suitable additive manufacturing technology for the production of plastic parts, with the bodies printed in polyamide 12. To evaluate the effect of plating on the resulting mechanical properties, the plastic-metal structures were subjected to tensile and flexural mechanical tests using standardized solids. Based on the results obtained, it can be stated that the tensile strength of the tensile bodies was increased by 18% and the tensile modulus (stiffness) increased by 3.3 times. The flexural strength increased by 54% for the bodies to be tested, with an increase of up to 4.5 times in the flexural modulus evaluated.
The plastic-metal structures were also subjected to the cyclic temperature-humidity test PV 1200 according to the VW standard. The aim was to assess the impact of the climatic test on the cohesion of the applied copper layer with the plastic part. During the test, the samples were subjected to an alternating temperature cycle ranging from -40 °C to +80 °C at controlled relative humidity. They were placed in the climate chamber for 5 and 10 days. The applied copper layer on the part loaded for 5 days did not crack or delaminate from the plastic. Cracks appeared on the applied copper layer of the part placed in the climate chamber for 10 days, but no delamination from the plastic occurred. Therefore, when applying these structures to harsh climatic conditions, it is necessary to consider the different thermal expansion of plastic and metal, which puts significant mechanical stress on the plastic-metal interface. As the volume of the plated component (plated solid cylinder) increases, the effect of thermal expansion causes increasing stresses at the plastic-metal interface, while these stresses decrease as the component (plated tube) becomes lighter.
ELFORMPLATE – application areas:
- Engineering: pump blades, gears, cams, sliding elements, formers and blocks, shaped inserts, cores, covers, shaped copper targets, complicated jigs, metallizing and masking jigs, coolers, shells (moulds), holders, plastic-metal seals, electrodes for EDM
- Electrical engineering: shielding, electrodes and collectors, microwave elements and antennas, heat sinks
- Chemistry: screens, filters, chambers, exchangers, coolers
- Design: handles, handles, logos, lighting fixtures, GalvanoPhoto
ELFORMPLATE – economics and ecology
The ELFORMPLATE technology was developed with the economy and ecology of production in mind. There is no deep etching of plastics during production and no hazardous chemicals are used, neither during pre-treatment nor during electroplating. Currently, plating is offered as a service with an approximate price of 1000 CZK / dm2. As usual, the price of a job is influenced by the size of the series and the set-up of the job as well as the design of the parts. A fundamental optimization can be, for example, the merging of parts into a tree with a pre-arranged hinge design.
Download the leaflet
Elformplate – technology of electroplating of plastic components from 3D printing [pdf] Project TM01000063 Research and development of electroformed composite biomimetic polymer-metal structures for intelligent additive manufacturing is co-financed with state support from the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic under the DELTA 2 programme.
Electroforming s.r.o. – We meet individual requirements from development to production. #elformplate #polymers #3Dprint #electroforming
