Electroless plating for the enhancement of material performance

Abstract

Electroless plating is not a new technique but is attracting increasing attentions for novel applications in various materials technologies. A brief review of the technique is presented here, with an emphasis on the technical and technological aspects of the process, particularly its use in the metallization of bulk ceramics and in the modification of porous ceramics and ceramic powder particles. It is noted that electroless plating offers a relatively simple and effective route for the modification of many conventional processing technologies and for the improvement of microstructure and properties of materials. It is also expected to play a large role in the fabrication of various advanced materials and structures.