vendredi 6 juin 2014

Los Angeles Metalizing Process And Equipment

By Sally Delacruz


Generally metallization refers to all process that apply metal coating on non-metallic surfaces. The first use of this process was in mirror making in 1835. This rendered mirrors the first ever products to be constructed through metallization. High temperatures required by this process necessitate it to be performed in controlled environments inside special chambers.

A vacuum chamber is used to heat the coating metal until it reaches its boiling point and boils off. Substrates are placed underneath the boiling metal so that the fine droplets from it settle down on them. When the droplets cool down, a superior coating is formed on the substrates that cannot be removed easily. Heat in the vacuum chamber is derived from plasma heating, resistance heating, or an electron beam. Los Angeles metalizing experts have developed variants of this technique for use in different applications.

A variation of this method is where the substrate is heated instead of the metal. Here, the substrate is heated to very high temperatures that the metal melts and makes a uniform coating on making contact with it. This method is suitable if the substrate can withstand high temperatures. Many companies are settling for this method because it is energy efficient and the coating produced is more elegant.

The surface however needs to be prepared properly before the process is done to promote the bond formed between the surface and the coating metal. Abrasive blasting is one of the methods that have been used for a long time to clean surfaces. It removes all kinds of dirt, old paint, mould, and metal oxides formed on the surface exposing the pure interior.

There are several benefits linked to using metallization to coat surfaces as compared to the other methods. First, it has a higher ability in lessening surface corrosion from various agents. Applying heavy the coating heavily covers surfaces completely and protects them from corrosion. The cover prevents the interior of substrates from being affected by abrasive agents. Pipes used in water that moves fast a perfect example. The pipes are protected from abrasion by plating them with tough metal materials.

Vacuum metalized substrates form effective insulators. This results primarily from the improved reflectance properties. An example of this is in spaceships. Several layers of polyimide films produced through vacuum metallization are used in spacecrafts as thermal insulation systems. Other several applications are also in residential and commercial settings. Metallization enhances properties of surfaces making them better.

Barrier properties in many applications are also greatly improved through metallization. For instance plastic substrates that have been metalized form better barriers to air and water. This property is very important packaging and food industries. Metalized surfaces are also good light barriers because they have lower ability to transmit light. Medical packaging, window treatment, radiant barrier insulation, and electronic labels are the commonest instances of insulation and barrier applications.

Another reason for applying this process on surfaces is aesthetics. It adds a unique appearance to substrates making them reflective like mirrors. Different colors can also be incorporated in the process to make products appear even better. Some of the main applications in the world of beauty lie in merchandizing, personal care packaging, label stocks, and appliance surfacing film.




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