Demetallizing procedure
First Claim
1. A continuous method of effecting selective demetallization of a layer of aluminum having a thickness of at least about 1 micron supported on a web of flexible polymeric material, which comprises:
- continuously applying a pattern of sodium hydroxide-resistant material to said aluminum corresponding to a desired pattern of non-etched aluminum,continuously passing said patterned web in an immersed condition through a bath of aqueous sodium hydroxide solution having a temperature of about 10°
to about 98°
C. and a strength of about 0.1 to about 1 normal for a time of at least 0.5 secs. per micron thickness of said aluminum layer to effect complete removal of aluminum from areas of the web not covered and protected by said pattern,continuously washing said web free from spent sodium hydroxide solution, anddrying said washed web.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Selective demetallization of an etchable metal layer supported on a polymeric material or other microwave transparent material, or a self-supporting etchable metal layer, particularly aluminum of thickness at least about 1 micron adhesively joined to a flexible polymeric material substrate, is described. A web of polymeric material bearing the etchable metal layer, or an unsupported etchable metal layer, has a pattern of etchant-resistant material first applied and then the web is immersed in and passed through a bath of aqueous etchant, particularly hot aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, for a time at least sufficient to completely remove the etchable metal from non-protected areas of the web. The demetallized web is washed and dried. Specific structure incorporating the selectively demetallized etchable metal layer also are described.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A continuous method of effecting selective demetallization of a layer of aluminum having a thickness of at least about 1 micron supported on a web of flexible polymeric material, which comprises:
-
continuously applying a pattern of sodium hydroxide-resistant material to said aluminum corresponding to a desired pattern of non-etched aluminum, continuously passing said patterned web in an immersed condition through a bath of aqueous sodium hydroxide solution having a temperature of about 10°
to about 98°
C. and a strength of about 0.1 to about 1 normal for a time of at least 0.5 secs. per micron thickness of said aluminum layer to effect complete removal of aluminum from areas of the web not covered and protected by said pattern,continuously washing said web free from spent sodium hydroxide solution, and drying said washed web. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification