Laser Ablation of Styrene–Methacrylate Composites

Various styrene–methacrylate composites with mineral fillers have been studied as a substrate for the deposition of copper tracks on surfaces after laser ablation. It has been revealed that both insufficient laser heating of the substrate with applied varnish and its overheating have a negative effect on chemical copper plating. The use of crosslinked styrene–methacrylate polymers makes it possible to achieve stable copper plating of the laser-treated surface of the varnish-coated substrate. It has been shown that with an appropriate selection of ablation parameters, finely divided minerals, such as talc, celadonite, aquamarine, shungite, chromia, and iron oxide (ocher), can be used as varnish filler for chemical copper plating of laser-treated parts of the substrate.