METHOD FOR ROLL-TO-ROLL ELECTROLESS PLATING WITH LOW DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONTENT

摘要

A method of electrolessly plating a web of media, including advancing the web of media from an input roll through a pan of plating solution to a take-up roll, wherein a plating substance in the plating solution is plated onto predetermined locations on a surface of the web of media. The plating solution is circulated from a sump to the pan and back to the sump through enclosed pipes, such that plating solution in the enclosed pipes is not exposed to air. An amount of dissolved oxygen in the plating solution is measured, and an inert gas is injected into the plating solution at a rate that is controlled according to the measured amount of dissolved oxygen.

主权项

1. A method of electrolessly plating a web of media, the method comprising:
advancing the web of media from an input roll through a pan of plating solution to a take-up roll, wherein a plating substance in the plating solution is plated onto predetermined locations on a surface of the web of media as it is advanced through the plating solution in the pan; circulating the plating solution from a sump to the pan and back to the sump through enclosed pipes, such that plating solution in the enclosed pipes is not exposed to air; measuring an amount of dissolved oxygen in the plating solution at a sequence of different measurement times separated by specified time intervals, wherein the time interval between subsequent measurement times at a first time is smaller than interval between subsequent measurement times at a later second time; and injecting an inert gas into the plating solution at a rate that is controlled according to the measured amount of dissolved oxygen.