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METALLISATION
OF PLASTIC
Metallisation of plastic parts
We also provide you with chrome (VI)-free gloss
Elegant surfaces and reflective details
In spite of the ban on chrome (VI) in the future, do not forego the elegant chrome look of decorative metallised parts, e.g. in vehicle interiors. Our modern coating processes help to give components made of plastic a magnificent gloss finish, a semi-matt look or a colour nuanced impression which is environmentally friendly and harmless to health without the use of chrome (VI) and nickel.
We metallise plastic parts for many leading vehicle manufacturers in two different processes in series production. With the PVD process (gloss and matt) and with our chrome effect paints (matt). .
- without risks to health
- visually brilliant
- environmentally friendly
- emission-free
- standardised
- established in series production
“As a pioneer in PVD, we have been metallising your plastic parts in series production since 2006 without chrome (VI).”
The project process for the metallisation of plastic parts
Your partner for development up to series production
- 1. The idea
Do you not want to forego the elegant look despite the prohibition on chrome (VI)?
But you do not know how to design your project in an optimum way?
Our experienced experts will work with you to develop the optimum process. - 2. The selection of the procedure
The most important component for an optimum project start.
Our modern coating processes help to give components made of plastic a magnificent gloss finish, a semi-matt look or a colour nuanced impression which is environmentally friendly and harmless to health without the use of chrome (VI) and nickel.
- 3. The plastic moulding
Without a perfect base, no perfect component
We produce your moulding from different materials: ABS, PC, PA, TPE, TPO and silicone. The quality of the subsequent finishing is decided with the moulding. That is why we also support you with our years of know-how in mould making.
- 4. The right coating
Elegant look, metallic finish
We coat your component with the PVD sputtering process or with a coating of chrome effect paints. Even a partial coating or masking is possible. At the same time, the appearance and feel of the surface hardly differ from classic galvanised components.
- 5. Series production
From high gloss to semi-matt
We achieve particularly impressive results by combining several of our core competencies and intelligently linking existing technologies. As the procedures are highly automated, there are almost no fluctuations and deviations in the result.
Our methods of metallisation in comparison
Metallisation in the PVD process
for matt and gloss surfaces
- specially developed PVD coating (Silmade® PVD sputtering process) for a real chrome look
- Top coats for highest abrasion, chemical and scratch resistance
- partial coating or masking is possible
- individual colours and gloss levels
Painting with chrome effect paints
for matt and semi-matt components
- The result depends on the number of layers (1-3 layers of paint)
- High quality & durable surfaces comparable to PVD technology
- Suitable for almost all materials, partial coating or masking possible
- Individual colour nuances
PVD plastic metallisation
Elegant surfaces and reflective details
The Silmade® PVD sputtering process is a decorative as well as functional technology used to apply wafer thin metal layers on a wide range of plastics. Metallised surfaces not only bring a shine to the component, they add value enhancing accents and provide a sophisticated sense of space.
PVD stands for Physical Vapour Deposition. In the process, particles dissolved in a vacuum by ion bombardment are applied to the surface of the plastic component as a wafer thin layer of pure metal. This homogeneous metal layer can be adjusted in thickness and is suitable for most types of plastic. The result looks and feels almost like the result of a classic galvanisation process.
The metals used determine the colour nuance of the coating, a protective coating determines the degree of gloss. The trim part can therefore be coated both with high gloss and semi-matt, in different colour gradations. Even a partial coating or masking is possible.
The Silmade® PVD sputtering process enables highly automated series production. There are almost no fluctuations and deviations in the result. The procedure is divided into 5 steps:
- 1. Plastic moulding
The most diverse materials can be used: ABS, PC, PA, TPE, TPO and silicone. The quality of the subsequent finishing is decided with the moulding. Only a perfect surface guarantees a perfect coating, that is why we invest so much know-how in our mould making.
More about plastic injection - 2. Base coat
The base coat is applied directly to the plastic moulding. It fills the smallest irregularities in the surface, seals off light and is the basis for an optimum look of PVD metallisation.
- 3. PVD layer
With our Silmade PVD sputtering process, we apply a layer of pure metal to the component to achieve a perfect chrome look. We can match the colour tone of your specifications exactly. It is the same with the electrical conductivity or the optical transmission.
- 4. Optional: Laser etching
We partially remove the previously applied PVD layer and the base coat with laser etching, so that the component can be backlit later (day/night design). The right combination can also achieve a dead-front effect or selective marking
More about laser etching - 5. Top coat The top coat is the proverbial finish for the component. We determine the gloss level with it: from high gloss to semi-matt. The gloss paint is resistant to abrasion and scratching and guarantees the longevity of the component. We can customise the top coat as well as all other process steps.
Silcos innovations in the field of PVD metallisation
Silmade® PVD sputtering process
With our specially developed Silmade® PVD sputtering process, we metallise a wide variety of plastic parts with real metal layers.
Whether matt or gloss: The Silmade® PVD sputtering process is completely free of chrome (VI) and nickel and is therefore REACH compliant.
- specially developed PVD coating (Silmade® PVD sputtering process) for a real metallic look
- Top coats for highest abrasion, chemical and scratch resistance
- partial coating or masking is possible
- individual colours and gloss levels
Silmade® NCVM PVD coating
The Silmade® NCVM coating process developed by Silcos ensures that even metal coated surfaces have a very low electrical conductivity.
With the need for a so called non-conductive (NCVM), such as the electrically non-conductive chrome surface of a car key, the Silmade NCVM PVD coating is the first choice.
- electrically very high resistance PVD coating in chrome look
- UV clear coat with maximum scratch resistance
- Masking of parts not to be coated
- Abrasion and chemical resistance
Siloptics®: Our colour system for PVD colours
Our systems allow the application of several different metals in combination. This allows us to achieve a broad colour spectrum of real metal surfaces.
Our specially developed PVD colours: Siloptics Siramics, Siloptics Titanium, Siloptics Rose Gold, Siloptics Black Chrome fit seamlessly into modern designs and match many different ambient colours.
Our Siloptics Black Chrome surfaces are especially in vogue.
- Brilliant metallic surface
- Suitable for several ambient colours
- Temperature range from -40°C to +85°C
- Dimensionally stable for large sizes
Painting with chrome effect paints
The PVD alternative for matt surfaces
For different applications, we coat plastics with our chrome effect paints with 1-3 coats. This results in semi-matt, metallic surfaces.
The three layer version is comparable to PVD technology in terms of expense and cost. The component is first primed with a base coat, which makes it smoother. In the second step, the coloured intermediate layer is applied. In order to produce the metallic shine, the intermediate layer is often based on pigments from comminuted PVD particles, which must be applied with a layer thickness of only a few microns. Subsequently, a top coat is applied, which protects the colour layer.
With our chrome effect coatings developed over the years, we produce high quality semi-matt, metallic-like surfaces on plastic parts.
- The result depends on the number of layers (1-3 layers of paint)
- High quality & durable surfaces comparable to PVD technology
- Suitable for almost all materials, partial coating or masking possible
- Individual colour nuances
Multiple possibilities for design and function
Both chrome replacement processes do not only impress visually, they also open up completely new possibilities in terms of functionality. PVD technology is especially able to meet the ever increasing demands on surfaces in vehicle interiors.
Day/night design
Set visual highlights for your component.
3D / depth effect
Visually convincing simulation of a metallic insert.
Variable conductivity
Exactly adapted electrical conductivity.
Shatterproof
Metallic looking surfaces that guarantee maximum safety.
Chrome replacement processes do not only impress visually, they also open up completely new possibilities in terms of functionality.
- perfect surfaces in an elegant chrome look
- environmentally friendly & without risks to health
- partial coating or masking
- different colour nuances & gloss levels
- standardised & ready for series production
- visually brilliant & emission-free
We also provide you with chrome (VI)-free gloss
Flawless surfaces and high gloss details - REACH compliant since 2008.
Long before the chrome (VI) ban came into view we were pioneers in the environmentally neutral and pollution-free metallising of plastic parts. With us by your side even in times of the chrome (VI) ban, you do not have to forego the elegant chrome look of decorative metallising in vehicle interiors.
Our modern pollution-free PVD coating process helps to give your components made of plastic a magnificent metallic shine, a semi-matt look or a colour nuanced impression which is environmentally friendly and harmless to health without the use of chrome (VI) and nickel and is thereby REACH compliant.
With our specially developed “Silmade PVD sputtering process” we can apply very thin metal layers on a wide variety of plastics. This is even possible on soft or flexible materials such as steering wheel emblems. The metals used determine the colour nuance of the coating, a protective coating determines the degree of gloss. The trim part can therefore be coated both with high gloss and semi-matt, in different colour gradations. Even a partial coating or masking is possible. The appearance and feel of the surface hardly differ from classic galvanised components. Despite the ban on chrome (VI), thanks to our technology, you will not have to forego elegant surfaces and reflective details in the future either.
We are happy to assist you in changing to a chrome (VI)-free replacement procedure. By means of our agile project flow, we can quickly create prototypes with comparison surfaces.
Comparison of the processes of plastic metallisation
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| AL vacuum | PVD 2 layer | PVD Sputtering | Paint 3 layer | IML, IMD | |
auto interieur
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| costs | |||||
| appearance | Aluminium high gloss only | high gloss only | multi colour, gloss and satin | satin only | multi colour, gloss and satin |
| machine required | large vacuum chamber | Paint line, PVD | Paint line, PVD, Paint line | Paint line | Printing, injection molding |
| PROS | cheap | costs | very flexible | many providers | very flexible, accepted |
| CONS | only for reflectors etc. | not in market yet | Cost, considered expensive | High costs, Know How necessary | High costs |