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.
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.
Non metallic objects have very poor heat and electrical conductivity. As a result, their ability to be plated is reduced making it necessary to turn them into conductors first before plating is done. Chemical etching is the commonest method used to turn non-metals into metals. A mixture of sulfuric and chromic acid is the primary chemical employed in this case. Maximum etching is attained by dipping the object into the hot mixture for a specified period.
Before the actual plating is done, the object is first sensitized and then activated through various means. Using electroless copper or nickel to coat the activated surface enhances the resultant bond between the substrate and the coating. The bond is normally strong although it is weaker when compared to that formed between metal-to-metal plating.
The actual metalizing process takes place in a special chamber called a vacuum chamber. The coating metal and the substrate are both placed inside the chamber before the metal is heated to its boiling point. Heating is done through various methods such as resistance or plasma heating or by use of an electron beam. Once the boiling point is achieved, the metal is heated further until it vaporizes into fumes.
After vaporization, the fumes settle onto the substrate forming an evenly spread coat. The appearance of the coating is usually smooth and uniform. Vacuum chambers have control systems for adjusting the thickness of resultant layer. Prolonging the length of time the substrate is abandoned in the chamber allows the coating to grow thicker. To maintain the shape of the substrate and to avoid melting, internal temperatures of the vacuum machine must remain at specified 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.
Non metallic objects have very poor heat and electrical conductivity. As a result, their ability to be plated is reduced making it necessary to turn them into conductors first before plating is done. Chemical etching is the commonest method used to turn non-metals into metals. A mixture of sulfuric and chromic acid is the primary chemical employed in this case. Maximum etching is attained by dipping the object into the hot mixture for a specified period.
Before the actual plating is done, the object is first sensitized and then activated through various means. Using electroless copper or nickel to coat the activated surface enhances the resultant bond between the substrate and the coating. The bond is normally strong although it is weaker when compared to that formed between metal-to-metal plating.
The actual metalizing process takes place in a special chamber called a vacuum chamber. The coating metal and the substrate are both placed inside the chamber before the metal is heated to its boiling point. Heating is done through various methods such as resistance or plasma heating or by use of an electron beam. Once the boiling point is achieved, the metal is heated further until it vaporizes into fumes.
After vaporization, the fumes settle onto the substrate forming an evenly spread coat. The appearance of the coating is usually smooth and uniform. Vacuum chambers have control systems for adjusting the thickness of resultant layer. Prolonging the length of time the substrate is abandoned in the chamber allows the coating to grow thicker. To maintain the shape of the substrate and to avoid melting, internal temperatures of the vacuum machine must remain at specified 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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