Abstract: High efficiency deposition of silver onto substrates is obtained by utilizing admixed compositions comprising reducible silver ions, complexing agent, reducing agent in the presence of a promoter which is a soluble compound of germanium, tin or lead.

Abstract: Metallic surfaces are imparted to non-conductive or dielectric substrates by an electroless (chemical) coating process comprised of coating the surface of the substrate with colloids of catalytic non-precious metals wherein the metals are either part of an alloy or in the elemental state or a compound and wherein the colloidal compositions are prepared by a special method which renders the colloids a greater catalytic activity when used in the plating process.

Abstract: A method for the formation of novel colloidal catalytic electroless plating compositions comprises admixing a highly stable non active (weakly active) colloidal dispersion with a reactivity modifier. The admixture so formed is used in electroless plating processes wherein a substrate is contacted with the novel colloidal catalytic composition, rinsed, contacted with a reducing or activating solution (which may be optional) and then contacted with an electroless plating solution.