Selective Metallization

Since 1922, the word metallization has been synonymous with surface coatings. Since the invention of this technique, in response to corrosion problems in steel constructions, successful generations of highly respected principles have led to today’s expertise in the technology of surface coating. These developments can be attributed to the dissemination of information about metalization and rapid responses to the needs of the industry.

During the joint high-vacuum coating process via evaporation, the metal first melts and then creates a “cloud” of aluminium vapor which is deposited on a polymer surface, resulting in a thin metal film.

In a perfect vacuum condition (10^-4 Torr), the metal molecules will gravitate to the polymer surfaces, without encountering resistance from air or gas particles, so that the polymer is covered with an even layer of metal. Before the high-vacuum coating process can take place, the polymer surfaces have to be leveled and insulated by an initiation layer (varnish) in order to allow the metal layer to be deposited properly and to improve adhesion of the next transparent protective layer (varnish).

The treatment with the initiation layer has three basic features, enabling higher quality results:

• Aesthetic feature
• Insulating function
• Functional interface on the points of the layer adhesion

The aluminum and the layers of metal have both aesthetic and functional qualities. 80% of high-vacuum processes are used for aesthetic purposes. The functional purpose has also become much more widely used, due to a change in galvanic processes, which are currently very costly and especially dangerous to the environment. In recent years, cycles of multiple layers (high vacuum metalization and further forming of multiple layers of metals) have been developed in various fields such as electronics, electromagnetic reflection and insulation with excellent results from both an aesthetic and a functional point of view.
Used for aesthetic purposes, the transparent purpose is taken care of today by means of UV products due to their brilliant and glass characteristics which is reflected from the metal or aluminium layer.

Treatment with a cover layer of varnish protects the layer of aluminium and metal from oxidation and represents a final layer. All in all, the coating is a highly coherent multiple-layer package.