Producing metal patterns on a plastic surface

摘要

Poly(arylene sulfide) articles having plated metal paths thereon are disclosed. A pattern of areas of lesser crystallinity and areas of higher crystallinity is created in the polymer morphology of a surface of the article. The surface is then exposed to a chemical etchant selectively active upon the areas of lesser crystallinity thereby etching those areas of lesser crystallinity while leaving areas of higher crystallinity substantially unaffected. Then a conductive metal is deposited on the etched areas of lesser crystallinity by an electroless plating process. Subsequent electroplating can also be used.