Metalizing refers to the process used to coat a surface or object with a metal coating. The object to which the metal coating is applied is referred to as the substrate. In Los Angeles metalizing is a huge industry comprised of several service companies that offer services for hire to the public. These companies provide services to clients as well as renting metalizing equipment. They offer affordable rates, which makes them worth considering.
The history of metallization in the modern world is a long one. It is as old as mirror-making, which began as far back as 1835. Mirrors of that time were made by coating glass surfaces with metallic silver. The process was only in its basic form and would soon be modified and enhanced a lot. Advancements in technology played a major role in enhancing the process.
When this process was first invented, there was limitation on the number of materials that could be metallized. Metals were the most commonly metallized materials. However, when ABS plastic was invented, the types of materials that could be metal coated increased significantly. Non-metallic materials could be metallized with ease. The number of methods that could be used to metalize surfaces also increased. Justus von Liebig, a German scientist and inventor, is responsible for inventing the metalizing process.
The coating of non-metallic surfaces or objects often presents a challenge because they are not good conductors. Non-conductors cannot conduct heat or electricity within them, something that is vital to this process. To overcome this shortcoming, non-metallic surfaces have to be made conductive first before the process can be done. This is usually done by chemically etching the surface using a suitable process.
Chemical etching is done using several different methods. One of the methods is to dip the substrate into a mixture of acids, preferably sulfuric and chromic acid. To achieve the required results, the acid mixture needs to be hot. Sensitization and activation of the non-metallic substrate must be done after chemical etching. This is done by dipping the substrate into tin (II) Chloride solution and palladium chloride. After this, the object is coated with electroless nickel or copper.
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.
Metalizing is done is a specially designed equipment. The equipment comprises of a chamber in which the substrate is placed for coating. The equipment can be very large in some cases to handle large substrates. Other small handheld devices are also available for metal coating very large and irregular substrates.
The history of metallization in the modern world is a long one. It is as old as mirror-making, which began as far back as 1835. Mirrors of that time were made by coating glass surfaces with metallic silver. The process was only in its basic form and would soon be modified and enhanced a lot. Advancements in technology played a major role in enhancing the process.
When this process was first invented, there was limitation on the number of materials that could be metallized. Metals were the most commonly metallized materials. However, when ABS plastic was invented, the types of materials that could be metal coated increased significantly. Non-metallic materials could be metallized with ease. The number of methods that could be used to metalize surfaces also increased. Justus von Liebig, a German scientist and inventor, is responsible for inventing the metalizing process.
The coating of non-metallic surfaces or objects often presents a challenge because they are not good conductors. Non-conductors cannot conduct heat or electricity within them, something that is vital to this process. To overcome this shortcoming, non-metallic surfaces have to be made conductive first before the process can be done. This is usually done by chemically etching the surface using a suitable process.
Chemical etching is done using several different methods. One of the methods is to dip the substrate into a mixture of acids, preferably sulfuric and chromic acid. To achieve the required results, the acid mixture needs to be hot. Sensitization and activation of the non-metallic substrate must be done after chemical etching. This is done by dipping the substrate into tin (II) Chloride solution and palladium chloride. After this, the object is coated with electroless nickel or copper.
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.
Metalizing is done is a specially designed equipment. The equipment comprises of a chamber in which the substrate is placed for coating. The equipment can be very large in some cases to handle large substrates. Other small handheld devices are also available for metal coating very large and irregular 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.