Enhancing Plastic Surfaces
-The Power of UV Curable Metallizing Coatings
In today’s fast-paced industrial landscape, the demand for innovative and efficient coating solutions has never been higher. One such breakthrough technology is the application of UV coatings for plastic metallization.
Overview of Plastic Metallization
Plastic Metallization, briefly, is a process used to deposit thin metal layers onto various substrates. This technique is widely employed in industries such as automotive, electronics, and consumer goods, where a metallic finish is desired on non-metallic surfaces.
Plastic includes numerous kinds, such as ABS, PC, ABS+PC, PP, PE, PET, BMC, ect. The significant features of plastic materials are good formability, light weight (than metals), high Precision and consistency after injection moulded, which allows manufacturers to choose the most appropriate plastic material for the specific application and produce into different patterns. While metallizing plastic is to achieve a metallic finish that enhanced aesthetic appeal, improve durability, even conduct electricity.
Meanwhile, because of the high production efficiency, low energy consumption, small pollution and other advantages, the UV coatings for plastic metallization has impacted the traditional coating greatly.
Process of Vaccum Metallization
Based on the actual substrate materials, the operation process and coat thickness would be different accordingly.
For most cosmetic package and part of the electronic-product shells, it is substrate → UV primer coat → metal layer →UV top coat. And a middle coat between metal layer and UV top coat would be necessary when requires laser craving.
Some substrate materials contains fiber, which makes it very difficult to adhere to. Then the treating agent would be coated directly to the substrate before UV primer coat.
Formula suggestion and Tianke UV oligomers recommendation for Plastic Metallization
As we can see from the above part, there are UV primer/base coat and UV top coat used in the plastic metallization generally.
1) UV primer/base coat requires:
A. Adhesive to substrates and metal layer
B. Good levelling & wettability
C. Resistance to boiling water
D. High temperature, high humidity
Suggested formula for UV primer/base coat (ABS):
| Item | Ratio | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| TK4213 | 8~12 | 2F Aliphatic PUA, good electroplating performance, and high resistance to boiling water |
| TK2203 | 13~17 | EA+20%TMPTA, to improve the hardness and curing agent |
| UV monomers | 16~20 | TMPTA + PETA |
| TK4601 | 1~2 | Hexaacrylate, Aliphatic PUA, to improve hardness and crosslinking density |
| Photoinitiator | 2~4 | 184+BDK |
| Additives | 1 | Wetting agent/levelling agent, such as BYK306, BYK371, Tego 2100, etc. |
| Solvents Mixture | 50± | PMA/BAC/EAC |
2) UV top coat requires:
A. Adhesive to metal layer
B. Hardness
C. Resistance to abrasion, salt mist, solvent, boiling water, etc.
D. High transparency and gloss
E. Higher requirement, such as anti-pollution, anti-graffiti, etc.
Suggested formula for UV top coat (anti-graffiti ):
| Item | Ratio | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| TK4313 | 15 | 3F Aliphatic PUA, excellent adhesion, leveling, color development |
| TK4615 | 15 | Hexaacrylate, Aliphatic PUA, silica-modified,with excellent anti-fouling and anti-graffiti effect, fast curing speed, good yellowing resistance, high hardness |
| UV Monomers | 16~20 | HEMA |
| Photoinitiator | 2~4 | 184+TPO |
| CN9051 | 0.5~1 | Sartomer CN9051/T-301, to improve adhesive to metals |
| Additives | 1 | Wetting agent/levelling agent, such as BYK306, etc. |
| Solvents Mixture | 55± | ECS/TOL/BAC/EAC/IPA |
Plastic metallization offers a host of advantages that make it an attractive solution for a wide range of applications. By combining the benefits of plastics with the aesthetic and functional properties of metals, this innovative process delivers lightweight, durable, and visually appealing products. At Tianke Polymers, we specialize in providing high-performance UV resins to make the quality UV coatings that enhance the metallization process, ensuring exceptional results for our customers. Contact us today to learn more about how our solutions can meet your specific needs and elevate your products to the next level.
