Abstract: A pickling solution for the surface pre-treatment of plastic surfaces in preparation for metallization, the solution comprising a source of Mn(VII) ions; and an inorganic acid; wherein the pickling solution is substantially free of chromium (VI) ions, alkali ions, and alkaline-earth ions.

Abstract: A process for treating the surface of a metal substrate comprising a constituent metal selected from the group consisting of Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Rh, Pb, Sn, Ni, Zn, in some cases Fe, and alloys of these metals. An anodic potential is applied to the metal surface in an electrolytic circuit comprising the metal surface, a cathode, and an electrolytic solution that is in contact with the metal surface and in electrically conductive communication with the cathode. The electrolytic solution may contain an electrolyte comprising anions of phosphate, phosphonate, phosphite, phosphinate, nitrate, borate, silicate, molybdate, tungstate, carboxylate, oxalate and combinations thereof. The anion may comprise a polymer having a pendent moiety selected from the group consisting of phosphate, phosphonate, phosphite, phosphinate, sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for electroplating a copper deposit onto a semiconductor integrated circuit device substrate having submicron-sized features, and a concentrate for forming a corresponding electroplating bath. A substrate is immersed into an electroplating bath formed from the concentrate including ionic copper and an effective amount of a defect reducing agent, and electroplating the copper deposit from the bath onto the substrate to fill the submicron-sized reliefs. The occurrence of protrusion defects from superfilling, surface roughness, and voiding due to uneven growth are reduced, and macro-scale planarity across the wafer is improved.

Abstract: A method is provided for imparting corrosion resistance onto a surface of a substrate. The method comprises contacting the surface of the substrate with an electrolytic plating solution comprising (a) a source of deposition metal ions of a deposition metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, palladium, silver, nickel, copper, gold, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, chrome, and alloys thereof, (b) a pre-mixed dispersion of non-metallic nano-particles, wherein the non-metallic particles have a pre-mix coating of surfactant molecules thereon; and applying an external source of electrons to the electrolytic plating solution to thereby electrolytically deposit a metal-based composite coating comprising the deposition metal and non-metallic nano-particles onto the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cyanide-free electrolyte composition for depositing a silver or silver alloy layer on a substrate as well as a method for depositing such layers with the help of said cyanide-free electrolyte composition. The electrolyte composition according to the invention comprises at least one silver ion source, a sulfonic acid and/or a sulfonic acid derivative, a wetting agent and a hydantoin. The silver or silver alloy layers deposited from such an electrolyte composition by means of the method according to the invention are dull and ductile.

Abstract: A method is provided for depositing a whisker resistant tin-based coating layer on a surface of a copper substrate. The method is useful for preparing an article comprising a copper substrate having a surface; and a tin-based coating layer on the surface of the substrate, wherein the tin-based coating layer has a thickness between 0.5 micrometers and 1.5 micrometers and has a resistance to formation of copper-tin intermetallics, wherein said resistance to formation of copper-tin intermetallics is characterized in that, upon exposure of the article to at least seven heating and cooling cycles in which each cycle comprises subjecting the article to a temperature of at least 217° C. followed by cooling to a temperature between about 20° C. and about 28° C., there remains a region of the tin coating layer that is free of copper that is at least 0.25 micrometers thick.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for silver plating onto metal surfaces such as PWBs in electronics manufacture to produce a silver plating which is greater than 80 atomic % silver, tarnish resistant, and has good solderability.

Abstract: A process used during manufacture of printed circuit boards comprises protecting metal pads and/or through-holes to provide a tarnish-resistant and solderable coating. In the method, the pads and/or through-holes are bright-etched, metal plated, preferably by an immersion process, and treated with a tarnish inhibitor. The tarnish inhibitor may be incorporated into the immersion plating bath. The metal plating is usually with silver or bismuth and the pads and/or through-holes comprise copper.

Abstract: A plating formulation for the electroless deposition of a metal layer on a substrate, wherein a ?-amino acid and/or ?-amino acid derivative is used as a stabilizer. The ?-amino acid is present within a range of 1 mg/L to 2 g/L. Typically, the electrolyte is free of heavy metal stabilizers, cyanides, selenium compounds and sulfur compounds comprising sulfur in an oxidation state between ?2 and +5. The inventive plating formulation can comprise 3-aminopropionic acid, 3-aminobutyric acid, 3-amino-4-methylvaleric acid, and 2-aminoethane-sulfonic acid.

Abstract: An adhesion promotion process and composition for enhancing adhesion between a copper conducting layer and a dielectric material during manufacture of a printed circuit board. The composition contains a corrosion inhibitor, an inorganic acid, and an alcohol which is effective to increase copper-loading in the composition.

Abstract: A pickling solution for the surface pre-treatment of plastic surfaces in preparation for metallization, the solution comprising a source of Mn(VII) ions; and an inorganic acid; wherein the pickling solution is substantially free of chromium (VI) ions, alkali ions, and alkaline-earth ions.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for silver plating onto metal surfaces such as PWBs in electronics manufacture to produce a silver plating which is greater than 80 atomic % silver, tarnish resistant, and has good solderability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyte for the electroless deposition of a metal layer on a substrate, wherein the electrolyte is free of heavy metal stabilizers, cyanides, selenium compounds and sulfur compounds comprising sulfur in an oxidation state between ?2 and +5, and in which instead a ?-amino acid is used as stabilizer. In particular, the inventive electrolyte can comprise 3-aminopropionic acid, 3-aminobutyric acid, 3-amino-4-methylvaleric acid, and 2-aminoethane-sulfonic acid. Furthermore, the invention is directed to a method for the electroless deposition of metal layers utilizing an inventive electrolyte as well as the use of ?-amino acids as stabilizer in electrolytes for the electroless deposition of metal layers in general.

Abstract: There is provided a method and composition for applying a wear resistant composite coating onto a metal surface of an electrical component. The method comprises contacting the metal surface with an electrolytic plating composition comprising (a) a source of tin ions and (b) non-metallic particles, and applying an external source of electrons to the electrolytic plating composition to thereby electrolytically deposit the composite coating onto the metal surface, wherein the composite coating comprises tin metal and the non-metallic particles.

Abstract: A method and composition for metallizing a via feature in a semiconductor integrated circuit device substrate, using a leveler compound which is a dipyridyl compound.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to an aqueous activator solution and a method for the electroless deposition of copper on a laser direct structured substrate surface. By the invention, an aqueous activator solution comprising a strong reducing agent is proposed to enhance the catalytic activity of the irradiated surface area of a LDS substrate.

Abstract: A cyanide-free electrolyte composition for the galvanic deposition of a copper layer on substrate surfaces and a method for the deposition of such layers. The electrolyte composition comprises at least copper(II) ions, a hydantoin and/or hydantoin derivative, a di- and/or tricarboxylic acid or salts thereof, and a metalate of an element of the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and vanadium and/or a cerium compound.

Abstract: A method and composition for metallizing a via feature in a semiconductor integrated circuit device substrate, using a leveler compound which is a dipyridyl compound.

Abstract: The invention as described in the following relates to an apparatus for the electrochemical deposition of a metal on a substrate, which apparatus is capable of refreshing an electrolyte used for the deposition in a continuous way. Furthermore, the invention as described relates to a method of refreshing an electrolyte for the electrochemical deposition of a metal on a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an aqueous solution for the formation of a passivation layer on a zinc layer or zinc-alloy layer. More particularly, the invention relates to the formation of a black passivation layer on a zinc layer or zinc-alloy layer, which passivation layer is substantially free of hexavalent chromium. Furthermore, the present invention relates to method for the formation of a passivation layer on a zinc layer or zinc-alloy layer, as well as a passivation layer on a zinc layer or zinc-alloy layer itself. The solution used contains trivalent chromium ions, nitrate ions, an organic acid and a dithioglycolate.