If saving the environment and money are on your wish list while plating and coating for your needs, then vacuum metalizing can be your only option. You may want to have chrome plating and coating for your desired look, quality and durability of your products, but you cannot deny the heavy pocket pinch and the health and environmental hazards associated with it.
The acid used in chrome plating is a carcinogen; it involves the use of cyanide and can cause hydrogen embrittlement. This is a proven solution and an efficiently safe alternative to chrome plating. Vacuum metalizing equipment is used for a wide range of purposes to make things shine like chrome. From automotive and aeronautical industries to telecommunication industries and various electrical components and this is the safest and most cost-effective solution.
Does Vacuum Metalizing Compromise the Quality and Durability
This process was developed far back in the 1960s and since then has evolved and undergone crucial developments in its applications. Originally this process was developed for coating of the interior fittings like the dashboards, lights, armrests, etc. of automobiles. At that time the process did not involve an application of top-coat, which resulted in fast erosion of the chrome effect of the exterior, making it vulnerable to scratches.
But now the process has evolved and progressed and such chances of susceptibility are almost absent. It gives an absolutely brilliant metallic finish that can last for ages. Progress in this field has been so immense that the top-coat can be tinted to produce colored chrome effects and imitation gold effects. However, you cannot get the same durability as that of a chrome coating and finish but considering the cost-effectiveness and the durability it offers, is pretty satisfactory.
How is Vacuum Metalizing Done
It is a process where a non-porous substrate like plastic, metal or glass which gives a simulated chrome finish. An extremely thin layer of pure aluminium is evaporated onto the surface that requires coating under vacuum placed inside a vacuum chamber. Here an aluminium vapor cloud is created and when this cloud comes in contact with the other surfaces, it condenses and bonds on the surfaces to create a thin uniform metallic layer giving the desired chrome shine effect. Before the metalizing operation, the parts to be metalized are base-coated and baked in order to remove solvents from the base-coat and this ensures a hard and smooth finish to the parts. After the metalizing process is done, another protective top-coat is applied.
Wide Application
Vacuum metalizing can have wide applications. Electronics, telecommunications industries, computers, military, medical, aerospace, automobile, marine industries involve wide use of this applications.
This has become a common application now in various industries. Ecological responsibility and staff safety are given a priority in most industries nowadays and given the quality and durability of the products that this process ensures, most industries are choosing this as the safest option. There is a lot of places that deal with this and their vacuum metalizing equipment is of top quality. Check out the best deals before hiring.