The process through which surfaces and objects are coated with metal coating is referred to as metallization. The term substrate is used to denote the object or surface being metalized. In Los Angeles metalizing is a full-blown industry with many companies operating within it. Service companies in this region lease metalizing equipment and offer the service itself too. Rates for hiring a service company in Los Angeles are affordable.
The process of metallization has a long history today. The oldest records of its existence are usually traced back to mirror making in the year 1835. The process was first used to make mirrors by using metallic silver to coat glass surfaces. The process was still in its infancy at that time and would soon be improved significantly. Better technology has made this process sophisticated and more advanced.
At the time of invention, the range of materials that could be metalized was limited to only a few. Mostly only metallic surfaces could be metalized. However, with the introduction of ABS plastic, the range of materials that could be metalized grew exponentially to include non-metallic surfaces. Several different methods of doing the process were also invented. The invention of this process was done by a German named Justus von Liebig.
The fact that non-metallic substrates are not good conductors presents a challenge when it comes to coating them. Being able to conduct heat or electricity is vital to this process, something that non-conductors cannot do. This shortcoming is overcome by turning non-metallic substrates into conductors first before proceeding with the process. One of the ways to do this is by etching them chemically through a suitable process.
One of the processes used for chemical etching is to dip the material into a mixture of acids, usually chromic acid and sulfuric acid. The mixture of acids must be hot in order for the required results to be achieved. After chemical etching, the surface must be activated and sensitized before being coated using electroless nickel or copper. Sensitization and activation is often done by dipping in a solution of tin (II) Chloride followed by palladium chloride.
Proper and thorough site preparation must be done first before any of the processes named above can be undertaken. Which method is used for site preparation is determined by the kind of substrate in question. The importance of surface preparation is that it ensures that the resultant bond between substrates and metal coatings is very strong and durable.
The metal coat applied on substrates serve several different purposes on substrates. To begin with, the coat offers protection against corrosion from various elements. Research indicates that one layer of the metal coat can protect the substrate for over thirty years. Factors such as coating thickness, application, and sealing determine how long the metal coat remains effective.
The design of the equipment used to metalize substrates is special. A vacuum chamber is comprised in the device where metallization occurs. The sizes vary a lot and determine the shape and size of substrates. Some are made to be handheld so that they can metalize irregular and huge substrates.
The process of metallization has a long history today. The oldest records of its existence are usually traced back to mirror making in the year 1835. The process was first used to make mirrors by using metallic silver to coat glass surfaces. The process was still in its infancy at that time and would soon be improved significantly. Better technology has made this process sophisticated and more advanced.
At the time of invention, the range of materials that could be metalized was limited to only a few. Mostly only metallic surfaces could be metalized. However, with the introduction of ABS plastic, the range of materials that could be metalized grew exponentially to include non-metallic surfaces. Several different methods of doing the process were also invented. The invention of this process was done by a German named Justus von Liebig.
The fact that non-metallic substrates are not good conductors presents a challenge when it comes to coating them. Being able to conduct heat or electricity is vital to this process, something that non-conductors cannot do. This shortcoming is overcome by turning non-metallic substrates into conductors first before proceeding with the process. One of the ways to do this is by etching them chemically through a suitable process.
One of the processes used for chemical etching is to dip the material into a mixture of acids, usually chromic acid and sulfuric acid. The mixture of acids must be hot in order for the required results to be achieved. After chemical etching, the surface must be activated and sensitized before being coated using electroless nickel or copper. Sensitization and activation is often done by dipping in a solution of tin (II) Chloride followed by palladium chloride.
Proper and thorough site preparation must be done first before any of the processes named above can be undertaken. Which method is used for site preparation is determined by the kind of substrate in question. The importance of surface preparation is that it ensures that the resultant bond between substrates and metal coatings is very strong and durable.
The metal coat applied on substrates serve several different purposes on substrates. To begin with, the coat offers protection against corrosion from various elements. Research indicates that one layer of the metal coat can protect the substrate for over thirty years. Factors such as coating thickness, application, and sealing determine how long the metal coat remains effective.
The design of the equipment used to metalize substrates is special. A vacuum chamber is comprised in the device where metallization occurs. The sizes vary a lot and determine the shape and size of substrates. Some are made to be handheld so that they can metalize irregular and huge substrates.
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You can get a summary of important things to keep in mind when choosing a provider of Los Angeles metalizing services at http://www.masterpowdercoating.com right now.
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