Etching of Polymeric Surfaces: A Review

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Abstract
The selective etching of polymeric surfaces has been of considerable interest to many polymer scientists and engineers. Some prime concerns of selective etching have been to increase the roughness of polymeric surfaces, change the surface chemical constitution, degrade or dissolve low molecular weights which migrate to the surface, and relieve residual surface stresses. Every polymeric surface, thermoplastic or thermoset, amorphous or crystalline, has, to some extent, different morphology from the bulk. Etching can considerably change the morphology and chemical properties of polymeric surfaces. An important commercial example is the etching of polymers prior to the subsequent metal plating [35, 74]. The adhesion and durability of the metal plate are greatly influenced by the condition of the polymeric surface. The increased surface area gives rise to a larger density of sites for the subsequent metal deposition. In many cases the chemical reactivity of etched surfaces is also increased upon etching. By etching, some polymeric surfaces can be converted from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, thus considerably facilitating the application of surface finishes.

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