There are situations when non metallic object need to have metallic properties for various reasons. The process by which such objects are coated with metal coatings to give them metallic properties is called metalizing. Los Angeles metalizing companies and experts have wide knowledge in coating a variety of substrates for various purposes. They can be hired to provide the services to a wide range of clients.
One of the earliest objects to be made through metallization is a mirror. Mirrors are as old as the process itself. Justus Von Liebig, the man responsible for the discovery of this process discovered it in the year 1835. At the time of the discovery, he was trying to apply a coating of metallic silver on the surface of a glass. The introduction of ABS plastics led to increased application of this process.
Electrical and heat conductivity in non metallic materials is very poor. This makes it harder to plate them. Therefore, they must be converted into good conductors first. The conversion is done chemically using a process referred to as chemical etching. Chemical etching involves the use of a mixture of sulfuric acid and chromic acid. The object has to be dipped into the mixture for a certain period to achieve maximum etching.
Before the plating, various methods are used to sensitize and activate the etched object. Coating the activated surface with electroless nickel or copper makes the bond formed between the coat and substrate stronger. This bond is however weaker than the resultant bond in metal-to-metal plating.
The actual metallization process is done inside a vacuum chamber. Both the coating metal and the substrate have to be placed inside the chamber. Once in the chamber, the coating metal is heated until it reaches its boiling point. Various methods are used for heating including use of electron beams and plasma or resistance heating. Further heating is done after attaining the boiling point for the metal to vaporize into fumes.
The vaporized metallic fumes settle down onto the substrate to form a uniform coat over its surface. The resultant coating is normally very uniform and smooth. The thickness of the coating can be adjusted through the controls on the vacuum chamber. Leaving the substrate inside the chamber for a long period of time also allows the coating to grow thicker. The temperatures of non-metallic objects must however be maintained at reasonable levels at all times to prevent them from melting or getting disfigured.
This process has several applications in industrial, commercial, and domestic settings. Some of the commonest applications include preventing corrosion, wear, and erosion. They can also be used as protection against high or low temperatures and electrical power on structural materials. The process is also very useful in changing electrical and aesthetic properties of objects. Plated objects appear different and more attractive due to the bright metals used.
The equipment used for the process costs differently depending on the capacity, model, quality, and level of technology incorporated among other factors. The sizes also vary with some being small while others are very huge. Worn out parts are normally replaceable.
One of the earliest objects to be made through metallization is a mirror. Mirrors are as old as the process itself. Justus Von Liebig, the man responsible for the discovery of this process discovered it in the year 1835. At the time of the discovery, he was trying to apply a coating of metallic silver on the surface of a glass. The introduction of ABS plastics led to increased application of this process.
Electrical and heat conductivity in non metallic materials is very poor. This makes it harder to plate them. Therefore, they must be converted into good conductors first. The conversion is done chemically using a process referred to as chemical etching. Chemical etching involves the use of a mixture of sulfuric acid and chromic acid. The object has to be dipped into the mixture for a certain period to achieve maximum etching.
Before the plating, various methods are used to sensitize and activate the etched object. Coating the activated surface with electroless nickel or copper makes the bond formed between the coat and substrate stronger. This bond is however weaker than the resultant bond in metal-to-metal plating.
The actual metallization process is done inside a vacuum chamber. Both the coating metal and the substrate have to be placed inside the chamber. Once in the chamber, the coating metal is heated until it reaches its boiling point. Various methods are used for heating including use of electron beams and plasma or resistance heating. Further heating is done after attaining the boiling point for the metal to vaporize into fumes.
The vaporized metallic fumes settle down onto the substrate to form a uniform coat over its surface. The resultant coating is normally very uniform and smooth. The thickness of the coating can be adjusted through the controls on the vacuum chamber. Leaving the substrate inside the chamber for a long period of time also allows the coating to grow thicker. The temperatures of non-metallic objects must however be maintained at reasonable levels at all times to prevent them from melting or getting disfigured.
This process has several applications in industrial, commercial, and domestic settings. Some of the commonest applications include preventing corrosion, wear, and erosion. They can also be used as protection against high or low temperatures and electrical power on structural materials. The process is also very useful in changing electrical and aesthetic properties of objects. Plated objects appear different and more attractive due to the bright metals used.
The equipment used for the process costs differently depending on the capacity, model, quality, and level of technology incorporated among other factors. The sizes also vary with some being small while others are very huge. Worn out parts are normally replaceable.
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