Vacuum metallising, also known as Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD), is a widely used thin film deposition process used in many applications including aerospace, insulation and surfacing films in the appliance and automotive industries, packaging films and labels. The term is used to describe the process of coating metal onto the surface of a non-metallic substance, a technique first used by the German chemist Julius von Liebig called ‘silvering’, and which is still used today in the manufacture of mirrors. Consumers can choose to keep the highly reflective mirror-like finish, or they can combine vacuum metallisation with other coating or laminating processes for obtaining a different decorative finish.
So how does the process work?
Quite simply, a metal (mostly nearly-pure aluminium due to its aesthetic and functional properties), alloy or compound is evaporated inside a vacuum chamber onto a desired substrate to achieve a uniform metallised layer. The coating metal is heated to its specific boiling point inside the vacuum chamber and the condensation deposits the metal onto the substrate surface. The coated metal is then vaporised by very high temperatures and the metal condenses on the work piece or product in the form of a thin metallic film – its thickness ranging from 00.1 to 0.2 micrometres - as the part or substrate is rotated to ensure a uniform coating. A key benefit of vacuum metallising is that it can be used to coat a wide spectrum of materials – other metal surfaces, glass, ceramic, plastic and even paper.
The use of the vacuum metallising process has several effects on the substrate itself. It can give the substrate a unique functionality. Aluminising select materials makes them perfect for insulation applications such as the reflective insulation used in many commercial and residential applications, as well as the highly technical multilayer insulation systems used in aerospace applications – for example the thermal insulation required for protecting the delicate instruments used on board a spacecraft from the external volatile space environment.
Vacuum metallising can also change the conductivity of a work piece, improve its resistance to corrosion and enhance its appearance. Decorative metallic finishes, EMI/RFI shielding and reflective coatings can all be achieved using this process. Decorative metallic finishes can incorporate a matte/brushed finish, a reflective chrome finish or reflective colour finishes. That shiny ‘chrome’ plating on some your kids’ Transformer toys is applied by vacuum metallising.
With the world today becoming increasingly electronic, with millions of electromagnetic waves and signals saturating the ether, EMI/RFI shielding is required to prevent Electromagnetic Interference and Radio Frequency Interference causing malfunctions in electronic devices. In hospitals, for example, sensitive medical equipment must meet standards set by the FDA and other international regulatory authorities to prevent their machines from being affected by mobile phones, PDAs and other electronic devices. Vacuum metallising employs materials such as aluminium stainless steel, nickel chrome and copper for EMI/RFI shielding. For reflective coating applications, the vacuum metallisation process deposits a fine coating of aluminium – a metal that has excellent reflective properties – onto a polished metal, plastic or glass surface.
Find out more at - http://www.dual-metallising.co.uk/vacuum-metallising.html
So how does the process work?
Quite simply, a metal (mostly nearly-pure aluminium due to its aesthetic and functional properties), alloy or compound is evaporated inside a vacuum chamber onto a desired substrate to achieve a uniform metallised layer. The coating metal is heated to its specific boiling point inside the vacuum chamber and the condensation deposits the metal onto the substrate surface. The coated metal is then vaporised by very high temperatures and the metal condenses on the work piece or product in the form of a thin metallic film – its thickness ranging from 00.1 to 0.2 micrometres - as the part or substrate is rotated to ensure a uniform coating. A key benefit of vacuum metallising is that it can be used to coat a wide spectrum of materials – other metal surfaces, glass, ceramic, plastic and even paper.
The use of the vacuum metallising process has several effects on the substrate itself. It can give the substrate a unique functionality. Aluminising select materials makes them perfect for insulation applications such as the reflective insulation used in many commercial and residential applications, as well as the highly technical multilayer insulation systems used in aerospace applications – for example the thermal insulation required for protecting the delicate instruments used on board a spacecraft from the external volatile space environment.
Vacuum metallising can also change the conductivity of a work piece, improve its resistance to corrosion and enhance its appearance. Decorative metallic finishes, EMI/RFI shielding and reflective coatings can all be achieved using this process. Decorative metallic finishes can incorporate a matte/brushed finish, a reflective chrome finish or reflective colour finishes. That shiny ‘chrome’ plating on some your kids’ Transformer toys is applied by vacuum metallising.
With the world today becoming increasingly electronic, with millions of electromagnetic waves and signals saturating the ether, EMI/RFI shielding is required to prevent Electromagnetic Interference and Radio Frequency Interference causing malfunctions in electronic devices. In hospitals, for example, sensitive medical equipment must meet standards set by the FDA and other international regulatory authorities to prevent their machines from being affected by mobile phones, PDAs and other electronic devices. Vacuum metallising employs materials such as aluminium stainless steel, nickel chrome and copper for EMI/RFI shielding. For reflective coating applications, the vacuum metallisation process deposits a fine coating of aluminium – a metal that has excellent reflective properties – onto a polished metal, plastic or glass surface.
Find out more at - http://www.dual-metallising.co.uk/vacuum-metallising.html