The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 17, 1990
Filed:
Nov. 07, 1988
Gordhanbhai N Patel, Somerset, NJ (US);
Durgadas Bolikal, Highland Park, NJ (US);
Richard A Bellemare, Watertown, CT (US);
JP Laboratories, Inc., Piscataway, NJ (US);
Abstract
Formulations are provided for pre-swelling and etching of functionalized polymers, such as polycarbonate in one, two and 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 the one-step process, polymer parts are dipped in a solution containing at least one swelling agent and at least one degradation agent. In the two-step process, polymer parts are first treated with a solution of a swelling agent followed by etching with a solution of degradation agent. In the three-step process, polymer parts are first micro-roughened with a solution of a swelling agent, then etched with a solution of mineral acids followed by dipping in a caustic bath to make the surface wettable.