There are many reasons why it is sometimes necessary to give metallic properties to non metallic objects. The process of coating such non-metallic objects with a metal coat to make them have metallic properties is referred to as metalizing. Los Angeles metalizing firms and professionals have a lot of experience in coating various substrates for various applications. Their services can be hired by any client at reasonable costs.
Metallization was first done on mirrors. This makes the time of invention of mirrors to be the same as that of metallization. The discovery of this process was done in 1835 by Justus Liebig. The discovery happened when he was trying to metalize glass with metallic silver. The uses of the process increased with the invention of ABS plastics.
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.
Etching is followed by sensitization and activation of the object before proceeding to plating. The bond between the coating and the substrate is enhanced by coating the surface with electroless nickel or copper. Although the bond is strong, it is much weaker when compared to the bond formed when plating is done between a metal and another metal.
Metalizing activity is carried out inside an appliance called a vacuum chamber. The object and coating are carefully positioned in the equipment before starting the process. The temperature of the chamber is then raised to the boiling temperature of coating metal. Electron beams, resistance heating, and plasma heating are some of the heating methods used to raise the temperatures. On reaching the boiling point, the metal vaporizes to form fumes.
As the metallic fumes vaporize, they settle down to form a uniform layer of coat on the substrate. The formed coating normally has a uniform and smooth appearance. The vacuum chamber has a control system that can be used to adjust the thickness of the layer formed. The layer can also grow to greater thicknesses when the substrate is left in the chamber for a prolonged period of time. However, to avoid melting or disfiguring of the substrate, internal temperatures in the vacuum chamber must be maintained at reasonable levels.
Metallization has many uses in domestic, industrial, and commercial settings. The applications include prevention of wear, erosion, and corrosion in parts. In structural materials, it is used in protecting against electrical contacts and against extreme temperatures. Electrical and aesthetic properties of objects can also be changed using this process. Use of shiny metals like silver adds beauty to the plated substrate.
The price of the machine utilized for metalizing is affected by many factors. Some of them include quality, functions, model, and capacity. The size varies from small moderately sized devices to large room-sized systems. Normally, worn out parts have replacements.
Metallization was first done on mirrors. This makes the time of invention of mirrors to be the same as that of metallization. The discovery of this process was done in 1835 by Justus Liebig. The discovery happened when he was trying to metalize glass with metallic silver. The uses of the process increased with the invention of ABS plastics.
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.
Etching is followed by sensitization and activation of the object before proceeding to plating. The bond between the coating and the substrate is enhanced by coating the surface with electroless nickel or copper. Although the bond is strong, it is much weaker when compared to the bond formed when plating is done between a metal and another metal.
Metalizing activity is carried out inside an appliance called a vacuum chamber. The object and coating are carefully positioned in the equipment before starting the process. The temperature of the chamber is then raised to the boiling temperature of coating metal. Electron beams, resistance heating, and plasma heating are some of the heating methods used to raise the temperatures. On reaching the boiling point, the metal vaporizes to form fumes.
As the metallic fumes vaporize, they settle down to form a uniform layer of coat on the substrate. The formed coating normally has a uniform and smooth appearance. The vacuum chamber has a control system that can be used to adjust the thickness of the layer formed. The layer can also grow to greater thicknesses when the substrate is left in the chamber for a prolonged period of time. However, to avoid melting or disfiguring of the substrate, internal temperatures in the vacuum chamber must be maintained at reasonable levels.
Metallization has many uses in domestic, industrial, and commercial settings. The applications include prevention of wear, erosion, and corrosion in parts. In structural materials, it is used in protecting against electrical contacts and against extreme temperatures. Electrical and aesthetic properties of objects can also be changed using this process. Use of shiny metals like silver adds beauty to the plated substrate.
The price of the machine utilized for metalizing is affected by many factors. Some of them include quality, functions, model, and capacity. The size varies from small moderately sized devices to large room-sized systems. Normally, worn out parts have replacements.
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