In step-conditioning (etching) of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) terpolymer, use is generally made of sulfuric/chromic acid solutions resulting in the generation of highly toxic, environmentally polluting waste. The present work reports the results of a study of reduction and replacement of chromic acid from the etching solution. The samples conditioning was carried out in baths containing solutions of chromic and sulfuric acids, potassium permanganate and phosphoric acid, and sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid and potassium dichromate, varying concentration, etching time and temperature. The morphology and structure of the samples surface were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), roughness and infrared spectroscopy (FITR/ATR) and the adhesion quality of the metallized samples was evaluated by visual inspection, adhesion test and corrosion by a salt spray. The results show that chemical conditioning causes removal of ABS components of the samples surface, causing changes such as increased roughness and formation of pores and microcavities, which influenced the metallic adhesion and were dependent on the solution and the conditions employed. Chromic acid can be used in concentration smaller than 400 g.L-1 and less aggressive solutions were effective in changing the surface and promoting metallic adhesion.
Metallization; ABS; conditioning; cleaner technology
