Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for the direct metallization of non-conductive substrate surfaces, in particular polyimide surfaces, that is characterized by the process steps of etching the substrate surface with an acidic etching solution that contains peroxide; contacting the etched substrate surface with an acidic treatment solution that contains permanganate; activating the treated substrate surface in an acidic activation solution that contains peroxide; contacting the activated substrate surface with an acidic catalytic solution that contains at least a thiophene derivate and at least a sulfonic acid derivate; metallization of the thus treated substrate surface in an acidic galvanic metallization bath.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for non-galvanic tin plating of copper and copper alloys by precipitation of tin from methanesulphonic acid and tin-containing electrolytes, containing a complexing agent. In describing a process by which a durable tin layer which can be soldered is a created, which, at the same time, prevents liberation of the base material, this invention discloses that the electrolytes have at least one foreign metal added to form a diffusion barrier in the layer.

Abstract: A process for coating substrates having polymer surfaces with metals in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards, in particular in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards having microscopic holes and fine geometries by the application of an electroconductive polymer layer and a subsequent metallization, wherein the electroconductive polymer layer is preferably doped with a zinc-containing, colloidal palladium solution prior to the metallization step, the electroconductive polymer is poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene and a contacting with a copper(II) salt solution is performed prior to the metallization.

Abstract: A process for the copper plating of substrates using insoluble anodes in acidic copper baths with separate replenishing of consumed copper ions, characterized in that the major portion of the copper ions is directly supplied in the form of copper carbonate and/or basic copper carbonate, dispensing with diaphragms and auxiliary electrolytes, in a separate tank operated in a bypass mode with respect to the working electrolyte, the released gaseous CO2 being separated off in said separate tank.