Metal plating of synthetic polymers

Claim 2

The process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the metal of the metal salt complex is selected from nickel, copper and silver.

Claim 3

The process as claimed in claim 3 wherein the metal salt complex is an ethylene diamine complex of nickel chloride.

Claim 4

The process as claimed in claim 4 wherein following the treatment of the phosphorus treated surface with the metal salt or salt complex solution, the thus-treated surface is subjected to electroless metal plating to deposit an electroless conductive coating on the treated polymer, prior to electroplating.

Claim 5

The process as claimed in claim 3 wherein following the treatment of the phosphorus treated surface with the metal salt or salt complex solution, the thus-treated surface is subjected to electroless metal plating to deposit an electroless conductive coating on the treated polymer, prior to electroplating.

Claim 6

The process as claimed in claim 2 wherein following the treatment of the phosphorus treated surface with the metal salt or salt complex solution, the thus-treated surface is subjected to electroless metal plating to deposit an electroless conductive coating on the treated polymer, prior to electroplating.

Claim 7

The process as claimed in claim 1 wherein following the treatment of the phosphorus treated surface with the metal salt or salt complex solution, the thus-treated surface is subjected to electroless metal plating to deposit an electroless conductive coating on the treated polymer, prior to electroplating.

Claim 8

The process as claimed in claim 8 wherein the nonmacroporous synthetic polymer treated is selected from polymers of unsaturated hydrocarbons, polyindene, indenecoumarone resins, polymers of acrylate and methacrylate esters, acrylate and methacrylate resins, alkyd resins, cellulose Derivatives, epoxy resins, furan resins, hydrocarbon resins from petroleum, isobutylene resins, polyurethanes, melamine resins, oleo resins, phenolic resins, polyamide polymers, polyester resins, resorcinol resins, rubbers, polysulfides, terpene resins, urea resins, vinyl resins, polyformaldehyde, polyphenylene oxide, phthalate polymers, polymers of bisphenols and epichlorohydrin, polycarbonates, graft copolymers of polymers of unsaturated hydrocarbons and an unsaturated monomer, ABS-polyvinylchloride polymers and acrylic polyvinylchloride polymers.

Claim 9

A synthetic polymer article having an adherent electrolytically deposited metal coating produced in accordance with the process of Claim 9.

Claim 10

The process as claimed in claim 1 wherein prior to contacting the non-macroporous synthetic polymer surface with the organic solvent solution of white phosphorus, the polymer surface is pretreated with an organic solvent selected from halogenated hydrocarbon and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents.

Claim 11

The process as claimed in claim 11 wherein following the treatment of the phosphorus treated surface with the metal salt or salt complex solution, the thus-treated surface is subjected to electroless metal plating to deposit an electroless conductive coating on the treated polymer, prior to electroplating.

Claim 12

The process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the non-macroporous synthetic polymer treated is selected from polymers of unsaturated hydrocarbons, polyindene, indenecoumarone resins, polymers of acrylate and methacrylate esters, acrylate and methacrylate resins, alkyd resins, cellulose derivatives, epoxy resins, furan resins, hydrocarbon resins from petroleum, isobutylene resins, polyurethanes, melamine resins, oleo resins, phenolic resins, polyamide polymers, polyester resins, resorcinol resins, synthetic rubbers, polysulfides, terepene resins, urea resins, vinyl resins, polyformaldehyde, polyphenylene oxide, phthalate polymers, polymers of bisphenols and epichlorohydrin, polycarbonates, graft copolymers of polymers of unsaturated hydrocarbons and an unsaturated monomer, ABS-polyvinyl chloride polymers and acrylic polyvinylchloride polymers.

Claim 13

A synthetic polymer article having an adherent electrolytically deposited metal coating produced in accordance with the process of claim 13.

Claim 14

The process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solution with which the phosphorus-treated surface is contacted is a solution of a metal salt in which the metal is selected from nickel, copper and silver.

Claim 15

The process as claimed in claim 15 wherein following the treatment of the phosphorus treated surface with the metal salt or salt complex solution, the thus-treated surface is subjected to electroless metal plating to deposit an electroless conductive coating on the treated polymer, prior to electroplating.

Claim 16

The process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solvent is benzene.

Claim 17

The process as claimed in claim 17 wherein following the treatment of the phosphorus treated surface with the metal salt or salt complex solution, the thus-treated surface is subjected to electroless metal plating to deposit an electroless conductive coating on the treated polymer, prior to electroplating.

Claim 18

The process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solvent is perchloroethylene.

Claim 19

The process as claimed in claim 19 wherein following the treatment of the phosphorus treated surface with the metal salt or salt complex solution, the thus-treated surface is subjected to electroless metal plating to deposit an electroless conductive coating on the treated polymer, prior to electroplating.

Claim 20

The process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solvent is trichloroethylene.

Claim 21

The process as claimed in claim 13 wherein following the treatment of the phosphorus treated surface with the metal salt or salt complex solution, the thus-treated surface is subjected to electroless metal plating to deposit an electroless conductive coating on the treated polymer, prior to electroplating.