Vacuum metallization
1. Vacuum metallization – why is it needed at all?
2. Vacuum metallization – what is it?
3. Economics is the overriding advantage of the process
4. How to prepare materials for the metallization process?
Vacuum metallization - why is it needed at all?
Vacuum metallization is a technology that allows plastic to look like a metal. This process is extremely important considering meeting our aesthetic needs. It plays a role, for example, in the furniture and automotive industries. There are also many details in our bathrooms that seem to be metal. It turns out, however, that the plastic is covered with chrome. An example is the seemingly metallic shower head, which turns out to be light when held in the hand. Its minimal weight proves that it is not really metal.
Why do we even cover some details with chrome? Note that some household or automotive elements look good when they look metal, but it is also advisable to make them light. The vacuum metallization process makes it possible to meet the above requirements.
Vacuum metallization - what is it?
The process in question is, in other words, electroplating plastic. As a result of this process, we can successfully give the plastic the appearance of chrome. What’s more – in a variety of colors. Let us now discuss its course. For this process to run properly, we need a vacuum environment. In such a space, without any gases, we can obtain a significant amount of pure metallic vapor. We spray it on our plastic elements, and thanks to the vacuum, we obtain a high-gloss polishing effect. The advantage is undoubtedly the consumption of a small amount of energy during this treatment.
Economics is the overriding advantage of the process
Chrome plating of plastics – including plastics – has gained its popularity due to the aforementioned cost-effectiveness of the process. The production of small, large-scale parts in the field of automotive, furniture or household appliances is extremely fast thanks to vacuum metallization and gives an aesthetic effect. Experts in this field even add dyes, thanks to which we can produce a detail of any chrome color.
How to prepare materials for the metallization process?
It is worth noting that this process can be used both for “fresh” plastic elements, and for renovation of once chrome-plated, but worn-out elements. However, they must meet certain conditions: first of all, they must have a fairly solid structure, and we must clean and sand them properly before the treatment, e.g. with sandpaper. Our details will then be evenly and aesthetically covered with chrome.
