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 applying metal coatings onto surfaces of objects has a long history. The process can be traced back to the invention of mirrors in 1835. This process was used to make mirrors by coating glass surfaces with metallic silver. At that time, this process was only done in a basic manner. However, with the introduction of better technology, this process is now very sophisticated.
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 inability of non-metallic objects to conduct electricity or heat presents a problem during metallization. This is because the substrate has to be able to conduct for it to be metalized. The only way to proceed with the process is to make the non-metallic material conductive first. The use of a suitable method to chemically etch the material is one way to make non-metals conductive.
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.
The processes described above are only done after the substrate is well prepared in a process called site preparation. The kind of methods used for site or surface preparation depends on the nature of the substrate. Surface preparation is done so that the bond formed between the metal coat and the object can be stronger and long-lasting.
The metal coat that is applied onto substrates has several different functions. One of the purposes is to protect surfaces against corrosion by various elements. According to research findings, protection against corrosion can be provided for over 30 years by a single layer if well applied. This duration is dependent on factors such as the thickness of the coating, application method, and sealing.
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 process of applying metal coatings onto surfaces of objects has a long history. The process can be traced back to the invention of mirrors in 1835. This process was used to make mirrors by coating glass surfaces with metallic silver. At that time, this process was only done in a basic manner. However, with the introduction of better technology, this process is now very sophisticated.
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 inability of non-metallic objects to conduct electricity or heat presents a problem during metallization. This is because the substrate has to be able to conduct for it to be metalized. The only way to proceed with the process is to make the non-metallic material conductive first. The use of a suitable method to chemically etch the material is one way to make non-metals conductive.
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.
The processes described above are only done after the substrate is well prepared in a process called site preparation. The kind of methods used for site or surface preparation depends on the nature of the substrate. Surface preparation is done so that the bond formed between the metal coat and the object can be stronger and long-lasting.
The metal coat that is applied onto substrates has several different functions. One of the purposes is to protect surfaces against corrosion by various elements. According to research findings, protection against corrosion can be provided for over 30 years by a single layer if well applied. This duration is dependent on factors such as the thickness of the coating, application method, and sealing.
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.
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