An electroless plating undercoat film comprising (A) a conductive polymer and further comprising (B) a reactant of a polyol resin having an acid value and a polyisocyanate compound, wherein the acid value is 0.1 mgKOH/g to 30 mgKOH/g.

Provided is a method and apparatus for improving adhesion between a polymer article and a metal plate. The method includes providing a polymer article, and hydrolyzing a surface of the polymer article using an acidic solution to obtain carboxylic acid groups at the surface. The method also includes grafting polyphenols to the carboxylic acid groups by esterification that is catalyzed by the acidic solution, and chelating metal ions to the grafted polyphenols to form polyphenol-metal complexes. The apparatus includes a body formed by additive manufacturing, and a metal plating formed on a surface of the body by electroless metal plating after a surface preparation process. The surface preparation process includes treating the surface with an acidic solution to obtain carboxylic acid groups at the surface, treating the surface with a polyphenol solution to obtain polyphenols grafted to the carboxylic acid groups, and chelating metal ions to the polyphenols.

A method for the production of metal-plated articles, including the step of depositing an electrically-conductive metallic layer on a surface of an article comprising a polymer composition comprising by weight: a) 40-60% of a propylene homopolymer, or propylene copolymer containing up to 5% by weight of ethylene and/or another C.sub.4-C.sub.10 α-olefin, and having a melting temperature of 155° C. or higher and/or a fraction soluble in xylene at 25° C. of 10% by weight or less; b) 10-20% of an ethylene-based elastoplastic copolymer, optionally, a copolymer of ethylene with C.sub.4-C.sub.10 α-olefin; c) 2-6% of a styrene block copolymer; d) optionally, up to 3% of a propylene homopolymer having a Melt Flow Rate (230° C./2.16 kg) of 500 g/10 min. or more; e) 15-50% of a filler; and f) optionally, up to 6% of a color pigment.

An example method of coating a substrate involves cleaning the substrate and, after cleaning the substrate, sensitizing the substrate using a sensitizing solution including tin chloride and hydrochloric acid. The method also involves, after sensitizing the substrate, activating the substrate in an activating solution including palladium chloride and hydrochloric acid. Further, the method involves subsequently neutralizing the substrate using a neutralizing solution including ammonium hydroxide. Still further, the method involves, after neutralizing the substrate, depositing an electroless nickel layer on the substrate. The method may then involve depositing an electrolytic nickel layer on top of the electroless nickel layer, and depositing an outer layer of metallic material, ceramic material, polymeric material, or any combination thereof on top of the electrolytic nickel layer.

A process of manufacturing a multilayer sheet having electrically conductive patterns comprises feeding a first polymer layer and a second polymer composition to a calendering stack, the first polymer layer having an inner electrically conductive pattern disposed thereon, the first polymer layer comprising a first polymer composition, which contains a first polymer having a first glass transition temperature, and the second polymer composition comprising a second polymer and a laser direct structure additive (LDS), the second polymer having a second glass transition temperature that is 50 to 100° C. lower than the first glass transition temperature; pressing the first polymer layer and the second polymer composition together to laminate a second polymer layer which comprises the second polymer composition to the first polymer layer, the second polymer layer having an inner surface facing the inner electrically conductive pattern of the first polymer layer and an opposing outer surface; forming an activated surface pattern on the outer surface of the second polymer layer; and applying a conductive metal on the activated surface pattern, wherein the first polymer layer is in direct physical contact with the second polymer layer.

In one embodiment, a metal-plated polymer object includes a polymer surface, a first metal layer that has been applied to the polymer surface to render it electrically conductive, and a second metal layer that has been deposited on the first metal layer.

A method for manufacturing electrically conductive structures, preferably conductive pathway structures using laser beams on a non-conductive carrier (LDS method), wherein a non-conductive carrier material is provided which contains at least one inorganic metal phosphate compound and at least one stabiliser finely distributed or dissolved therein, the carrier material is irradiated in regions by laser beams generating the electrically conductive structures in the irradiated regions.

An aqueous composition for use in activating surface of polymers.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for coating the internal surface of nano-scale cavities on a substrate are contemplated. A first fluid of high wettability is applied to the nano-scale cavity, filling the cavity. A second fluid carrying a conductor or a catalyst is applied over the opening of the nano-scale cavity. The second fluid has a lower vapor pressure than the first fluid. The first fluid is converted to a gas, for example by heating the substrate. The gas exits the nano-scale cavity, creating a negative pressure or vacuum in the nano-scale cavity. The negative pressure draws the second fluid into the nano-scale cavity. The conductor is deposited on the interior surface of the nano-scale cavity, preferably less than 10 nm thick.

A method of producing a film-attached resin base may include supplying a surface treatment gas including at least fluorine gas to a resin base including reinforcing fibers so that embrittled regions are formed in a surface of the resin base and the reinforcing fiber present near the surface of the resin base is modified at least partially; removing at least the embrittled regions so that an uneven surface is formed on the resin base and the reinforcing fiber is at least partially exposed in the uneven surface; and forming a film onto the uneven surface of the resin base.