Direct metallization process

A method of applying a conductive graphite coating to a non-conductive layer, comprising the steps of:

• A. providing a board comprising at least first and second electrically conductive metal layers separated by a non-conductive layer, said board having a recess extending through at least one of said metal layers into said non-conductive layer, said recess having a non-conductive surface;
• B. providing a liquid dispersion of from about 1% to about 7% by weight of electrically conductive graphite having a mean particle size no greater than about 50 microns, present in an amount effective to provide an electrically conductive coating when said composition is applied to said non-conductive surface of said recess;
• and
• C. applying said graphite dispersion to said non-conductive surface of said recess to form a substantially continuous, electrically conductive graphite coating thereon, wherein said graphite coating has an electrical resistivity of less than about 1000 ohms.

A method of applying a conductive graphite coating to a non-conductive layer, comprising the steps of:

• A. providing a board comprising at least first and second electrically conductive metal layers separated by a non-conductive layer, said board having a recess extending through at least one of said metal layers into said non-conductive layer, said recess having a non-conductive surface;
• B. applying from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of a water dispersible organic binding agent in an aqueous dispersing medium to said non-conductive surface;
• C. providing a liquid dispersion of electrically conductive graphite having a mean particle size no greater than about 50 microns, present in an amount effective to provide an electrically conductive coating when said composition is applied to said non-conductive surface of said recess;
• and
• D. applying said graphite dispersion to said non-conductive surface of said recess to form a substantially continuous, electrically conductive graphite coating thereon, wherein said graphite coating has an electrical resistivity of less than about 1000 ohms.

A method of applying a conductive graphite coating to a non-conductive layer, comprising the steps of:

• A. providing a board comprising at least first and second electrically conductive metal layers separated by a non-conductive layer, said board having a recess extending through at least one of said metal layers into said nonconductive layer, said recess having a non-conductive surface;
• B. providing a liquid dispersion comprising electrically conductive graphite having a mean particle size no greater than about 50 microns, present in an amount effective to provide an electrically conductive coating when said composition is applied to said non-conductive surface of said recess, and an anionic dispersing agent, present in an amount effective for dispersing said graphite;
• and
• C. applying said graphite dispersion to said non-conductive surface of said recess to form a substantially continuous, electrically conductive graphite coating thereon, wherein said graphite coating has an electrical resistivity of less than about 1000 ohms.

A method of applying a conductive graphite coating to a non-conductive layer, comprising the steps of:

• A. providing a board comprising at least first and second electrically conductive metal layers separated by a non-conductive layer, said board having a recess extending through at least one of said metal layers into said nonconductive layer, said recess having a non-conductive surface;
• B. providing a liquid dispersion comprising electrically conductive graphite having a mean particle size no greater than about 50 microns, present in an amount effective to provide an electrically conductive coating when said composition is applied to said non-conductive surface of said recess, and a surfactant, present in an amount effective to wet a through hole;
• and
• C. applying said graphite dispersion to said non-conductive surface of said recess to form a substantially continuous, electrically conductive graphite coating thereon, wherein said graphite coating has an electrical resistivity of less than about 1000 ohms.

A method of applying a conductive graphite coating to a non-conductive layer, comprising the steps of:

• A. providing a board comprising at least first and second electrically conductive metal layers separated by a non-conductive layer, said board having a recess extending through at least one of said metal layers into said nonconductive layer, said recess having a non-conductive surface;
• B. providing a liquid dispersion comprising electrically conductive graphite having a mean particle size no greater than about 50 microns, present in an amount effective to provide an electrically conductive coating when said composition is applied to said non-conductive surface of said recess, and a buffer, provided in an amount effective to maintain a pH of the graphite dispersion between about 9 and about 11;
• and
• C. applying said graphite dispersion to said non-conductive surface of said recess to form a substantially continuous, electrically conductive graphite coating thereon, wherein said graphite coating has an electrical resistivity of less than about 1000 ohms.

A method of applying a conductive graphite coating to a non-conductive layer, comprising the steps of:

• A. providing a board comprising at least first and second electrically conductive metal layers separated by a non-conductive layer, said board having a recess extending through at least one of said metal layers into said nonconductive layer, said recess having a non-conductive surface;
• B. providing a liquid dispersion of electrically conductive graphite having a mean particle size no greater than about 50 microns, present in an amount effective to provide an electrically conductive coating when said composition is applied to said non-conductive surface of said recess, wherein said graphite dispersion has a pH within a range of from about 9 to about 11;
• and
• C. applying said graphite dispersion to said non-conductive surface of said recess to form a substantially continuous, electrically conductive graphite coating thereon, wherein said graphite coating has an electrically resistivity of less than about 1000 ohms.