Localized metallization of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) can be achieved by an electroless deposition procedure, once PTFE has been reduced locally at the contact or in the vicinity of an electrode by scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM). This process takes advantage of the n-doped character of polymeric carbon obtained when reducing PTFE. Metallization was evidenced with Au, Ag and Cu by cyclic voltammetry, SECM, MEB and X-ray fluorescence. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.