Abstract: Novel aqueous accelerating solutions and methods for their use in connection with metal plating of dielectric materials are disclosed and claimed. The accelerating solutions are mildly basic aqueous solutions including dilute concentrations of copper ions.

Abstract: Improved methods for electroplating non-conducting substrates are disclosed utilizing aqueous alkali metal containing adhesion promoter solutions to enhance the surface deposition of colloidal metal activating catalysts to form conducting layers capable of direct electroplating. The adhesion promoter solutions contain sufficient alkali metal ions to deposit trace amounts of metal ions onto the substrate surface to be plated. Copper ions may be incorporated into the adhesion promoters to enhance this effect. These adhesion promoter solutions eliminate the swelling and related problems associated with the direct electroplating of acrylic and epoxy containing substrates. Following adhesion promoter treatment, the substrates are conditioned with a cleaner/conditioner solution and catalytically activated with a colloidal catalyst of palladium and tin forming a highly conductive catalytically treated surface which will support subsequent direct electroplating in conventional plating baths.

Abstract: Improved methods for electroplating non-conducting substrates are disclosed utilizing aqueous saline adhesion promoter solutions and rinse solutions to enhance the surface deposition of colloidal metal activating catalysts to form conducting layers capable of direct electroplating. One variation of the process recycles excess activating catalyst into the aqueous saline adhesion promoter to eliminate waste.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensitizing activator for chemical plating operations, that uniformly and efficiently deposits a substance capable of catalytically depositing a plating metal from a plating solution, such as colloidal palladium, on the surface of a material to be plated. The activator includes stannous chloride and palladium chloride colloidally dispersed in a dilute solution of sulfuric acid and sodium chloride. The activator advantageously avoids corrosion of the black oxide that is formed on the inner copper foil of copper-clad laminates.