On a copper-evaporated polymeric film consisting of a poly (vinyl-chloride)-type matrix and a thermochromic benzospiran compound, chemical properties of the surface was affected remarkably by the successive treatments of electron bombardment and heating.
By post-heating in air at 150°C, a magenta metallochrome consisting of a copper (II) ion and a benzospiran was formed on the site bombarded at an intensity of below 10^-6 coulomb/cm² (organometallic effect). The formation of it was closely related to the disappearance of surface copper. Moreover by post-heating in nitrogen at 160°C, an yellowish hydrophobic product was formed on the surface of non-bombarded site (covering effect). The chemical properties of film surface were changed by the formation of metallochrome or the hydrophobic covered product.
An additional metal deposition due to an electroless nickel plating or a zinc evaporation was possible on the residual surface copper in the treated film. A positive-type metal image was formed by the organometallic effect and a negative-type one was formed by the covering effect.