Vacuum Metallising

 

We have four vacuum metallising systems which technique, ranging from a standard type of deposition to state of the art plasma/in process silicone protection which has become the hallmark for automotive reflectors.
All our systems are fully automatic allowing for accurate repeatability throughout the process. Size capacities range from the smallest items to a maximum of 560mm x 960mm when rotating planetary , although it is possible to metallise larger items in certain circumstances.
We can metallise on most inert substrates with the exception of Acetal polymers. Having both moulding and finishing systems allow us to offer a one stop destination for many of our clients.

• Facility for "IONIC GASEOUS PLASMA" serving as a surface preparation prior to aluminium deposition
• Polymeric layer can be offered within the vacuum metallising process by plasma and silicones to provide post metallising protection
• Various substrates undertaken
• Fast responses times
• Trials and prototypes undertaken
• Highly efficient modern plant
• Glass metallising is achievable
• Automatic base lacquer flowcoating to most substrates

Services

 

Established in 1982, we specialise in vacuum metallising, plastic injection moulding and spray painting for a variety of products and substrates, such as:

• Automotive & general lighting products
• Point of sale
• Fashion
• Trophy industries
• Mining industry
• Automotive prototypes
• Decorative items for fires
• Promotional Clocks
• Window fashion industry & many more
• Paint Spraying

We are also a leading supplier of reflectors to the automotive, commercial and rotating beacon manufactures. Many of our customers use us as a "One Stop Shop" for completion of their products but a high percentage send their own mouldings in for finishing in either paint or vacuum metallising.
Vacuum-metallising is mainly used as a decorative coating successfully in some applications for its r.f.i shielding properties.
http://www.dual-metallising.co.uk

About us

Dual Metallising was formed in 1982, primarily as a vacuum metallising and paint spraying company becoming a market leader during that period of time. Progressing some six years later into plastic injection moulding, which lead us into manufacture and promotional clocks.
We maintain a high standard of work and have a track record of providing a fast, efficient and reliable service both with small and large volumes. We pride ourselves on providing the best service possible to our customers, offering competitive rates, we also have a fast turnaround capability which is vital to many of our clients.
Our expertise also covers items requiring finishing/manufacturing for the point of sale industry both on vacuum formings and injection mouldings. Prototypes form an important part of our activities together with spray painting.
Dual metallising is a very friendly and welcoming company with 12 employees working from our 8,500 sq ft factory in the Tyseley area of Birmingham. Our long serving employees are very highly motivated in providing their best service to our customers.

http://www.dual-metallising.co.uk

Metallizing

 As can most probably be deduced from the name, the term ‘metalising’ (also spelt as ‘metallizing’) is used to describe the process of coating a thin layer of metal onto the surface of a non-metallic substance. One of the oldest known examples of such a process is the technique of ‘silvering’, a practice first used in the nineteenth century by the German chemist Julius von Liebig, and which has been used ever since in the process for the manufacturing of mirrors. In this particular form of the metalizing process, the non metallic surface of the glass is coated with a thin layer of silver, but nowadays it is more common for the metallic layer to be formed by sputtering powdered aluminium or other such similar compounds onto the glass surface. The plating of non-metallic objects could be seen as having really increased in popularity rapidly with the introduction of Acrylonitrile Butadiene System (ABS) plastic, typically used for the manufacture of pipe systems, musical instruments (like plastic clarinets and recorders), golf club heads (because of its good shock absorbance) as well as car parts and protective headgear.

 Due to the fact that a non-metallic substance tends to be a poor electrical conductor, the surface of the object has to be made conductive before the plating process can commence. In order for this to occur, the plastic component is firstly etched chemically by a suitable process (such as submerging the component in a hot chromic-acid sulphuric acid solution). The etched plastic surface is then sensitised and activated by first being dipped in a solution of tin (II) chloride and then again in a solution of palladium chloride. Finally, the processed surface is coated with a layer of electroless copper or nickel before being plated even further. Although this process provides the surface with a useful adhesion force of some strength, it is considerably weaker than actual metal to metal adhesion strength.

 One of the most famous variations of the typical metallizing process is ‘vacuum metallizing’.

 In the process of ‘Vacuum Metallizing’, the coating metal is heated until it reaches its boiling point in a vacuum chamber. The process then involves letting condensation deposit the metal onto the surface of the substrate. The coated metal is then vaporised by extremely high temperatures generated from either resistance heating, electron beam or plasma heating and the metal condenses on the work piece or product as a thin metallic film.