| abstract |
A method for applying a metallic coating to a non-conductive substrate, comprising the steps of (a) contacting the substrate with an activating agent comprising a sol of a noble metal / a VAT Group metal to obtain a treated substrate, wherein The VAT Group metal is selected from the set consisting of Ge, Sn, Pb and mixtures thereof, (b) contacting said treated substrate with a composition comprising a solution of: (i) a soluble metal salt of Cu ( II), Ag, Au or Ni or mixtures thereof, (ii) from 0.05 to 5 mol / l of a Group IA metal hydroxide, and (iii) a complexing agent for an ion of said metal metallic salt, characterized in that said complexing agent is iminosuccinic acid or a derivative thereof having the formula (I): wherein R1 is selected from the set consisting of H, Na, K, NH4, Ca, Mg, Li and Fe, R2 is selected from the set consisting of ** Formula ** |