公开(公告)号：ZA9603176B

公开(公告)日：1996-10-25

申请号：ZA9603176

申请日：1996-04-22

Applicant: VIRIDIAN INC

Inventor： HAJMRLE KAREL ,  REID KENNETH G

IPC: B22F1/02 ,  C25D7/00 ,  H05K3/34 ,  C25D ,  B21C ,  C23C

CPC classification number: B22F1/025 ,  C25D7/00 ,  H05K3/3436 ,  H05K2201/10234 ,  H05K2201/10992 ,  H05K2203/041 ,  Y02P70/613

公开(公告)号：ZA963176B

公开(公告)日：1996-10-25

申请号：ZA963176

申请日：1996-04-22

Applicant: VIRIDIAN INC

Inventor： HAJMRLE KAREL ,  REID KENNETH G

IPC: B22F1/02 ,  C25D7/00 ,  H05K3/34 ,  C25D ,  B21C ,  C23C

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/CA96/00254 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 17, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 17, 1997 PCT Filed Apr. 19, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96/33299 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 24, 1996An improved process for the manufacture of uniformly and accurately sized metal spheres, particularly copper spheres, which comprises the steps of classifying a starting lot of spheres into closely sized fractions; separately electroplating each size fraction to a desired final mean diameter and size distribution; and then combining the plated fractions to give a metal sphere product having the requisite mean particles size and size distribution. The electroplating build-up step is characterized by a high level of precision. Additional benefits derive from the high hardness of copper electroplate on relatively soft copper starting particles which facilitates grinding or polishing irregularly shaped plated particles down to the desired sphericity and mean diameter, from the ability of metal such as copper electroplate to cover and envelop contaminated surfaces of starting particles, and from the ability to produce spheres having a unique combination of bulk and surface properties.