Method for improving plating on non-conductive substrates

摘要

A method of treating a laser-activated thermoplastic substrate having a metal compound dispersed therein is described. The substrate is contacted with an aqueous composition comprising: (i) a thiol functional organic compound; (ii) an ethoxylated alcohol surfactant; and (iii) xanthan gum. By use of the treatment composition, when the substrate is subsequently laser-activated and plated by electroless plating, extraneous plating of the substrate is substantially eliminated.

主权项

1. A method of treating a laser-activatable non-conductive substrate that comprises a metal compound, the method comprising the steps of:
a) treating the laser-activatable non-conductive substrate that comprises the metal compound with an aqueous composition comprising:
i) a thiol functional organic compound; andii) optionally, a surfactant; b) selectively laser activating portions of a surface of the laser-activatable non-conductive substrate; c) contacting the substrate with an electroless plating bath such that areas of the laser-activatable non-conductive substrate which were contacted by the laser plate, but areas that were not contacted by the laser do not plate.