This discussion has gone on for a while, so I thought I would throw in some of
the actual chemical reactions, and why the chemistry of activation of PTFE has
to be so dangerous.  (Even plasma is dangerous, but you are heavily protected
by a lot of stainless steel during the reaction).  So, if you are utterly
bored, and want to know some chemistry that likely will do you know good, read
on...

In order to "activate" the surface of PTFE, (Remember PTFE = Poly Tetra
Flouroethylene) you must chemically remove the flourine atoms that are bonded
to the carbon chains on the surface of the PTFE.  These puppies is seriously
bonded, they do not leave easily.  So, it takes some serious chemistry to to
do that, and serious chemistry can do very serious things to human beings, and
other strange things....

When you treat the surface with a Sodium mumbleate (Mumbleate = Napthalene, or
ammonia, etc.) the Sodium reacts with the surface Flourines, and the surface
probably forms a compound with the Sodium, which then reacts with the rinse
water, and likely forms a polyglycol (again, on the surface of the PTFE ONLY).

It is worth noting that the final surface is pretty reactive, and picks up
(reacts with) metals easily, so it plates up real easily, using the standard
catalysts, in either the Electroless Copper process, or the Electroless Nickle
process.

If the rampant plate up is a problem for you, as it can be in the EN process,
there are ways around this.  Contact me off Technet, if you have interest.

Rudy Sedlak
RD Chemical Company

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