ABSTRACT
The metal-on-polyimide interface is complex and its properties are influenced by many factors. These include the thermal and chemical history of the polyimide; the type of polyimide and its purity; the method used to prepare the surface for metallization; the method of metallization; and the subsequent chemical, mechanical, and environmental history of the interface. Each of these factors is controlled by a large number of parameters. The net effect of this complexity is that surprisingly few studies have been carried out on truly similar samples prepared under sufficiently similar conditions that the results can be directly compared. Thus, one important goal of this chapter is to point out areas in which understanding is particularly weak.
