metal coatings on polymers

[basakglkn]

Good day all;

How do they coat a car bumper with Cr-Ni or coat plastic toys with metals or in general a non-conducting polymer with a cunducting metal?

[ARIKAN]

Cannot help sorry, but I know that car headlights are coated Al or Al alloys using PVD method (evaporation PVD). In my opinion, bumpers are big parts compared to headlights, so some Thermal Spray methods can be used without conductivity factor.

Regards,

[Gordon]

Hi basakglkn and ARIKAN

As ARIKAN says PVD or vacuum metallising can be employed (see link here) , but also electroplating is commonly used. Plastics being non-conductive can not be electroplated directly, but by using chemical etching followed by electroless plating it then becomes possible. (see links here and (link dead))

Thermal spray coatings can be used in special cases (see link here), but obviously not for the bright decorative chrome or reflective coatings produced by the above methods.

[ARIKAN]

Mr. Gordon, thanks for these useful information and links.

I took "Thin Film Technology" course last term thus remembered the PVD method and wrote that. This term I'm taking "Electrolytic Coatings" and hope I'll expand my knowledge.

Regards,