High-temperature polymers, metal diffusion during metallization

Metal Diffusion During Metallization of High-Temperature Polymers... 

Metallized high-temperature polymers such as polyimides are nowadays widely used in microelectronics and other fields. At elcvaied lemperatures, usually encountered during processing, diffusion of the metal not only at the polymer surface but also into the bulk of the polymer may play an important role in d nnining interface formation and structure as well as the dielectric properties of the polymer after metallization . 

The volume is divided into three parts Part I. Metallization Techniques and Properties of Metal Deposits, Part II, Investigation of Interfacial Interactions," and Part III, "Plastic Surface Modification and Adhesion Aspects of Metallized Plastics. The topics covered include various metallization techniques for a variety of plastic substrates various properties of metal deposits metal diffusion during metallization of high-temperature polymers investigation of metal/polymer inlerfacial interactions using a variety of techniques, viz., ESCA, SIMS, HREELS, UV photoemission theoretical studies of metal/polymer interfaces computer simulation of dielectric relaxation at metal/insulalor interfaces surface modification of plastics by a host of techniques including wet chemical, plasma, ion bombardment and its influence on adhesion adhesion aspects of metallized plastics including the use of blister test to study dynamic fracture mechanism of thin metallized plastics. 

The formation and structure of interfaces prepared by deposition of metals onto fully cured polymers is strongly affected by the extent to which tnetal diffusion takes place during metallization. Very reactive metals, which appear to be practically immobile, form relatively sharp boundaries, and thin films in the monolayer range act as very effective diffosion barriers. In contrast, interfaces with noble metals can be much more spread-out, particularly when the metal is deposited at elevated temperatures and low rates. As mentioned earlier, pronounced diffusion and, at sufficiently high metal concentrations, formation of metal clusters inside the polymer may take place under these conditions. 

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