Metal plating on plastics

摘要

A simple and highly effective process for preparing the surface and plating a plastic or elastomer material is disclosed by the present invention. A uniform, highly adherent metal layer is deposited by the claimed process. The surface of the materials to be plated is prepared by exposure to a gas etch atmosphere and activation of the etched surface by providing a metal colloid thereon. Another aspect relates to the use of a one-step or two-step conditioner treatment in the process for improved results. After the surface preparation and activation, a desired metal coating can be electroless metal plated in a conventional manner.