Method for adhering metal coatings to polyphenylene ether-polystyrene articles
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsHerbert S. Chao, Carol L. Fasoldt
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Abstract
Substrates comprising blends of at least one polyphenylene ether and at least one poly(alkenylaromatic compound) (e.g., polystyrene) are treated with aqueous tetravalent cerium in a concentration of at least about 0.1 M, preferably acidified with nitric acid, to improve adhesion to metal coatings subsequently deposited nonelectrolytically; for example, by electroless deposition. The metallized articles are heat treated following metal deposition. Further metal coatings may be deposited, preferably followed by further heat treatment.
Claims13
A method for metallizing a resinous substrate comprising a thermoplastic mixture of at least one polyphenylene ether and at least one poly(alkenylaromatic compound), said method comprising the steps of:
- contacting at least a portion of said surface with aqueous tetravalent cerium in a concentration of at least about 0.1 M,
- non-electrolytically depositing a metal layer on said surface;
- and
- heat treating the metal-coated surface at a temperature in the range of about 50.degree.-80.degree. C. for at least about 10 minutes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.