A method for the preparation of polymer surfaces for the subsequent metal plating, as well as improved produced therefrom against metal clad plastic articles.

摘要

Method of modifying an aromatic polymer surface to improve adhesion of a metal layer thereon and to the articles produced therefrom. The surface of the aromatic polymer such as polycarbonate, is nitrated by a contact with a nitrating solution such as a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acid and then hydroxylated by a contact with a hydroxylating solution such as ammonium hydroxide. The hydroxylated surface is thus chemically modified to become hydrophilic. The chemically modified surface is electrolessly plated with a primary metal layer. A secondary metal layer is then electrolessly or electrolytically applied on top of the primary metal layer until a metal layer of a desired thickness is attained. The present invention further discloses articles such as an EMI shielded enclosure or a printed circuit board having metal layers as an EMI shield or a conductive metal trace pattern respectively.