The Adhesion of Electroless Metal Deposits to A B S and other Polymers

SummaryIn plated ABS, failure during peel testing occurs in a weakened layer within the polymer substrate. An experimental technique for investigating this weak layer is described, and the extent to which this weakness limits the peel adhesion of the metal coating to the polymer is estimated. It is shown that mechanical keying alone between the polymer and the deposited metal does not account for the high peel values obtained, and that the chemical nature of the polymer surface is also very important. A general adhesion theory for all plated plastics is suggested.