Enhanced Metal Coating Adhesion by Surface Modification of 3D Printed PEKKs

PEKK (polyether-ketone-ketone) polymer has been actively studied in applying electronic devices satellites owing to its excellent light weight and thermal resistance. However, the limitation of metal coating form on surface is due high-volume resistivity Here, we have investigated correlations between chemical treatment adhesion strength polymer–metal coating. Three-dimensional printed objects were manufactured nickel was deposited by electroless plating. As concentration H2SO4 increased from 12.5 14.3 mol/L, pore diameter showed a tendency increase. as growing induced connecting each other, size re-decreased 15.1 18.0 mol/L. To control uniformity, 3D function time temperature. Uniform pores observed at temperature 50 °C which formed after 10 min average 0.28 μm. After swelling, samples re-treated KMnO4-H3PO4 etching system for hydrophilic group. KMnO4 broken C=C bonding generated groups such -COOH -OH, contact angle decreased 64.7 51.1° compared with swelling. XPS survey spectra confirmed that not only breaking but also increasing hydrophilicity -C-, -SO3 catalyst absorption Pd improved. result adhesive ASTM D3359, 5B best standard test methods tape peeling amount less than 0.01%.