Abstract

The continuous electrolytic copper plating process traditionally includes degreasing and acid baths before copper plating baths. These baths add difficult-to-control parameters to the process. Besides they contain various alkaline chemicals and acids that are harmful to the environment. The plasma surface treatment is a controllable alternative surface cleaning method which is used in various fields. Also it can be used for surface activation to improve plating performance. Another important aspect of the plasma process is its environmental friendliness. It has a high potential to make plating preparation stages environmentally friendly and efficient. In this study a plasma surface treatment system is attached on a traditional copper plating line which is used for cold rolled low carbon steel sheets. It was determined that plasma surface treatment had a positive effect on the quality of copper plating.

References

[1] American Society for Metals, ASM International, Handbook Committee. ASM Handbook: Vol. 5, Surface Engineering. 9th ed. USA: ASM International; 1994

[2] Mandich N.V., Troubleshooting decorative electroplating installations - Part 3: Pores, spotting-out, pits, peeling and blistering, Plat. Surf. Finish 2000; 87;74-79.

[3] Belkind A, Gershman S.,Plasma Cleaning of Surfaces, Vac. Etchnol. Coat. 2008; November; 46-57.

[4] T.J Lin, J.A Antonelli, D.J Yang, H.K Yasuda, F.T Wang, Plasma treatment of automotive steel for corrosion protection – a dry energetic process for coatings, Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 31, Issue 4, 1997, 351-361.

[5] Brzhozovskii, B., Brovkova, M., Gots, I., Zinina, H., and Martynov, V. Study of the low-temperature plasma treatment effect on the structure, physical and chemical surface characteristics of 40X13 steel. Heliyon, 5(9), e02388, 2019,1-9.

[6] Bishop C.A., Surface Treatment of Webs and Foils, Vacuum Deposition Onto Webs, Films and Foils (Third Edition), 2015, 209-220.

[7] Wolf R., Sparavigna A.C., Role of Plasma Surface Treatments on Wetting and Adhesion, Engineering 02(06) January 2010, 397-402.

[8] Patel V. K., Bhowmik S., Plasma Processing of Aluminum Alloys to Promote Adhesion: A Critical Review, Reviews of Adhesion and Adhesives 5(1):2017, 79-104.