摘要 |
<p>A process for applying a metal to selected areas of non conducting substrates, including individual fibers, particularly optical fibers, comprises the steps of providing a non-conducting substrate having an uncoated portion to be treated with a sensitizer solution to provide a sensitized portion of the non-conducting substrate. Covering the sensitized portion with an activator solution provides an activated portion of the non-conducting substrate. Coating at least a section of the activated portion with a stannous salt solution forms at least one activated area and at least one deactivated area within the activated portion of the non-conducting substrate to produce a masked portion therefrom. Upon immersing the masked portion of the non-conducting substrate in an electroless plating bath, metal deposits on the activated area to provide a selectively metallized non-conducting substrate. This process provides selectively metallized articles including selectively metallized optical fibers.</p> |