Pre-swelling and etching of plastics for plating

摘要

Formulations are provided for pre-swelling and etching of functionalized polymers, such as polycarbonate in two or three steps. The etched surface can then be plated with electroless nickel or copper with satisfactory adhesion of the plated metals. Swelling agents make polymer molecules on and near the surface of the polymer easily accessible to a degradation agent. A degradation agent degradates the polymer molecules. If required, a solubilizing agent increases the miscibility of the degradation agent and the swelling agent. A wetting agent increases the effectiveness of the etching agent. In a two-step process, polymer parts are first treated with a solution of a swelling agent followed by etching with a solution of degradation agent.