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Decorative coating of plastics by vapor deposition of various alloys
Author(s) -
Richman Jay
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760160807
Subject(s) - materials science , electroplating , metallurgy , abrasion (mechanical) , coating , chromium , deposition (geology) , chrome plating , nichrome , conversion coating , evaporation , chemical vapor deposition , welding , aluminium , composite material , nanotechnology , layer (electronics) , paleontology , physics , sediment , biology , thermodynamics
Stringent government environmental regulations applied to the electroplating industry have spurred a search for alternative means of providing chromium coatings on plastics. Vapor deposition, an established and extensively utilized process for applying aluminum coatings on plastics, is quite naturally being investigated as an alternative process. Vapor deposited chrome has a darker cast than electrochrome, and a great‐number of materials are being investigated to find a color matching substitute that will stand up under severe environmental conditions. Among these are the 300 and 400 series stainless steels, nichrome, and other alloys. It has been found, with proper surface preparation, that highly adherent and specular stainless steel coatings/can be obtained oh plastics using filament and boat evaporation techniques. The coatings resemble a highly polished version of the parent metal and bear a striking resemblance to chrome. However, some type of clear topcoat is required to provide abrasion resistance.