IMPACTO MEDIOAMBIENTAL DE LOS PROCESOS DE RECUBRIMIENTO METÁLICO DE TERMOPLÁSTICOS COMERCIALES

Abstract

Thermoplastic materials used in the field of electronics are usually given a metallic surface coating treatment after their shaping process. The purpose of this -aesthetic changes aside-, is to create an electrically conductive surface, to improve wear and corrosion resistance, and to provide protection against electromagnetic interferences and electrostatic discharges. The most widespread processes for the metallic coating of thermoplastics are the following: conductive coating painting, electroless plating and high vacuum metal deposition. Our study focuses on the environmental impact of surface coating processes of thermoplastics using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. Four impact categories were selected, namely global warming, acidification, eutrophication and fossil fuel depletion. In light of the results, it can be concluded that conductive coating painting has the greatest environmental impact. This process yields large negative results in the global warming and fossil fuel depletion categories, especially due to the emission of volatile organic compounds. On the other hand, high vacuum metal deposition exhibits the better environmental performance, with minimal raw material and energy consumptions throughout the process. Keywords: Thermoplastics, Metallic Coating, Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Impact