There are a few families of "direct plate" processes that are used instead of electroless copper. The Shadow (from Electrochemicals) and MacDermid's Blackhole are similar (but don't say that to MacDermid & Electrochemicals). There are also palladium-based chemistries and some conductive polymers. These have been on the market for a while, and are being used in various shops but haven't become mainstream yet. Many shops are considering them, but fewer are using them. I suggest getting yield and reliability data from your supplier. MB ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: New "Shadow" Process Author: [log in to unmask] at SMTPLINK-HADCO Date: 5/1/96 01:27 PM All, One our very best and long time PCB suppliers as asked us to consider approving a new process for preparing plated through holes before metalization. Instead of depositing copper for the base, they deposit some sort of carbon or graphite base upon which thye eventually elctro-plate copper. The only visible result on the finished board is that unplated holes are black. Anyone have any comments, ideas or concerns about this type of process? Apparently "Shadow" is a brand name for a generic process called carbon sensitization. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Leo Reynolds