Crosslinked acrylate resin were prepared by the radical polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (ADE400) with 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile in the presence of cobalt (II) chloride at 100degreesC for 48 h. Metallization behavior of the CiCl(2)-containing acrylate resin by reduction with aqueous sodium tetrahydroborate solution at 25degreesC was investigated by means of infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron probe microanalysis. As a result, the surface of the crosslinked acrylate resin was successfully metallized by the reduction, and the cobalt layer generated at the side of a polypropylene plate used in the preparation of film was thicker and smoother than the air side. Most of the chlorine ion in the film passed in the reduction solution. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.