Electroless silver plating of 3D printed waveguide components by peristaltic pump driven system. Issue 2 (1st January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bal, A.; Carey, D.G.; Espinal, F.A.; Huff, G.H.
• Is Part Of: Electronics letters. Volume 55:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 100
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2019-01-01
• Subjects: waveguide components -- rectangular waveguides -- electroplating -- electroless deposition -- waveguide transitions -- plates (structures) -- stereolithography -- silver -- polymers -- pumps; electroless silver plating -- peristaltic pump driven system -- consumer‐grade stereolithographic 3D printer -- electroless deposition -- microwave components -- in‐house system -- off‐the‐shelf components -- plating solution -- silver bath -- average insertion coefficient -- trough waveguide section -- rectangular waveguide -- ISM band -- V‐band waveguide components -- 3D printed waveguide components -- black‐pigmented acrylate‐based polymer -- circling plating solution -- metal plated WR‐15 -- plated trough waveguide transition -- dip coating technique -- frequency 57.0 GHz to 64.0 GHz -- size 2 inch -- Ag; Electronics -- Periodicals; 621.381
• DOI: 10.1049/el.2018.7288
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-5194

Abstract

Abstract : V‐band waveguide components operating in 57–64 GHz ISM band is presented. Consumer‐grade stereolithographic 3D printer is used to print these waveguide components with black‐pigmented acrylate‐based polymer. Electroless deposition of silver on these microwave components is achieved using an in‐house system assembled with off‐the‐shelf components. This system is driven by a peristaltic pump, circling plating solution between silver bath and waveguide. Metal plated WR‐15, 2‐inch waveguide section offers average insertion coefficient of −0.35 dB. Trough waveguide section connected to rectangular waveguide through rectangular to trough waveguide transition is metal plated and offers average insertion coefficient of −1 dB. Silver deposited using the pump operated system offers potential of achieving comparable results as conventional dip coating technique.