Electroplating and wet-chemical processes

Modular, process-controlled electroplating plant on a 20-liter scale with integrated bath analysis and automated post-dosing.
© Fraunhofer IST
Modular, process-controlled electroplating plant on a 20-liter scale with integrated bath analysis and automated post-dosing.

If a coating is intended to improve the properties of a base material, add new properties or protect the surface, electroplating continues to play a key role in many sectors as an effective and cost-efficient process. As a result of increasing customer requirements in terms of process transparency, high personnel and energy costs, and steadily growing demands regarding occupational and chemical safety, driven in particular by the European Chemicals Regulation REACH, the pressure to innovate is high. In order to address these challenges, we are working intensively on the digitalization of our coating processes and on fully automated, environmentally compatible and resource-efficient process technology. In collaboration with our customers and partners, we develop solutions for a wide range of issues, including the topics of Cr(VI) substitution, REACH-compliant pretreatment and coating of plastics, pretreatment for hybrid injection molding, coating development for multi-material systems, and electrochemical processes for the recycling of rare earths.

”Through the utilization of digital methods, we see the possibility of making electroplating processes more agile, flexible and sustainable in the future.”

Rowena Duckstein M.Sc., Group Manager

Our technologies in the field of electroplating und wet-chemical processes

Electroplating und wet-chemical processes are characterized by a very wide range of applications and complex process chains. The experts at the Fraunhofer IST have acquired many years of process expertise in this field. With the establishment of cyber-physical production systems for the entire process chain, spanning everything from cleaning, pretreatment and coating all the way through to surface analysis, we are facilitating the exploration of new fields for applied research.

 

Plastic metallization

 

Electrochemistry with ionic liquids

 

Digitization of electroplating production processes

From research

 

From research

Digitization in electroplating technology

 

From research

Optimizing electroplating processes by understanding the potential for hydrogen hazard