ABS, ABS/PC and polypropylene test plaques are first etched in the chromic acid etch, rinsed and treated in the chrome reducer step with Futuron Neutralizer and rinsed. Such treated samples are then processed through Futuron C conditioner (0.5% in 2% hydrochloric acid) and then further treated in the following sensitizer and catalyst steps: Sensitizer: SnCl2 200 g/l and HCl (concentrated) 100 ml/l
Rinse (deionized water)
Catalyst: Aqueous AgNO3 solution: Ag ions 150 mg/l; pH ~6.5
Rinse (tap water)
Such catalyzed samples are plated in COPPERSHIELD® LT (Atotech USA) electroless copper plating bath for 10 minutes at 35°C. Good copper plating is observed in all cases.