Effects of Plasma Treatment as a Surface Preparation Step on Copper Plating

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.