Patent ID: 6178623
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: C25D,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of fabricating a composite lightweight plated wire in which the composite lightweight plated wire is comprised of:a conductor having an outer surface and being made of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and aluminum alloy;an anchor metal layer having an outer surface over said outer surface of said conductor, said anchor metal layer being made of zinc or zinc alloy;a first electrically conductive metal layer on said anchor layer and being made of copper or copper alloy and having a thickness of greater than 0.2 micrometers and not exceeding 5 micrometers; anda second electrically conductive metal layer made of copper or copper alloy and having a plating thickness of greater than 2.0 micrometers and not exceeding 40 micrometers;the method of fabricating said composite lightweight plated wire comprising:a degreasing step of removing oil from said outer surface of said conductor;an oxide layer removing step of removing a natural oxide layer from said conductor;an anchor metal forming step of depositing said anchor metal layer by displacement plating over said conductor;a first electrically conductive metal layer forming step of depositing said first electrically conductive metal layer by electroplating over said anchor metal layer;a second electrically conductive metal layer forming step of depositing said second electrically conductive metal layer by electroplating over said first electrically conductive metal layer to form a composite lightweight plated wire material;carrying out said second electroplating step in an electrolyte solution having a concentration of hydrogen ion (pH) of higher than 4 as an electrolysis parameter;a heat treatment step of heat treating said composite lightweight plated wire material at about 150.degree. C. to 250.degree. C.; anda plastic working step of plastic working said composite lightweight plated wire material to have a desired size.