Vacuum Metalizing

Vacuum metalizing, also known as vacuum deposition, is the process of physically depositing metal materials onto plastic components within a vacuum chamber. It’s a form of physical vapor deposition (PVD) that allows the formation of metal layers on components or substrates, achieved by evaporating metals like aluminum or copper onto non-metallic base materials.

Metal evaporation occurs in a sealed chamber with a heat source and reaches temperatures of approximately 1500°C (2700°F) under high vacuum conditions. The depressurization in the vacuum chamber lowers the boiling point of the metal, causing the liquid metal to change to a gaseous state. The metal vapor adheres to the substrate, forming a metallic coating or decorative layer on a film or fabric. Vacuum metallization was first used in the 1930s to produce reflective coatings for lenses, and has since expanded to a variety of optical components, streetlights and automotive headlights. Vacuum metallizing is also used for aluminum coatings, decorative materials and surface-modifying functional films, including gold-imitation plating for watch cases, creating metallic textures on plastics and coating tools for a variety of mechanical applications.

Furthermore, as global environmental concerns increase, vacuum metalizing, as an environmentally friendly surface treatment, is gaining attention. This surface treatment is conducted almost entirely in a vacuum chamber, preventing the release of metal vapor into the air.

Additionally, vacuum metallization is critical in aluminum wire manufacturing and custom part fabrication.

For more than a decade, customers have turned to us for our expertise in vacuum metallization. The expansion of our services to roll-to-roll applications has allowed us to vacuum metallize materials such as polyester, polyimide and fabrics. Our extensive experience in processing a wide range of films and fabrics allows us to manufacture the vacuum metallized materials our customers need. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about vacuum metallization or product intentions. We look forward to working together on your project.

Our vacuum metallization team includes experienced project managers and engineers. In addition to providing standard vacuum metallization services, we have an R&D team that develops new coatings and adhesives to add more functionality to vacuum metallized films. We can ensure efficient delivery to your facility based on your location or end market.

Parameters (to be supplemented with other parameters of customer concern)

Substrate: Various material film roll-to-roll laminating and vacuum metallization (metal, non-metal)

Production Width: 500mm to 990mm

Thickness Range: 10μm and above

Types

Multi-layer laminated materials

Room temperature lamination

Solvent-free lamination

Overlapping

Heat lamination

Recommendations

Aluminum/PTFE

Aluminum/PPS

Aluminum/PP