Matalizing is a wide term that encompasses all processes that involve application of metal material on non-metallic surfaces. Von Liebig, a german is responsible for making the discovery in the year 1835. History records that the first items to be produced using metalization were mirrors. Actually, Liebig made the discovery while trying to coat a glass surface with aluminum metal. In Los Angeles metalizing industry is a major job creator with far reaching applications.
This process occurs inside vacuum chambers to avoid contamination of metal coatings by impurities. The vacuum chamber system comprises of several components which include spray torch, robot, power supply, control console, feeder, and media supply. The number of control consoles may be more than one on a single machine depending on size and how much it is sophisticated. Consoles may be separate devices or they be integrated into the rest of the system.
Spray torch is the gun that melts the metal to be used in coating. The temperature of the torch is normally raised to very high levels to be able to turn metal into a molten form. The temperature can be regulated through the control console according to the requirements of the process. The gun also accelerates the molten metal towards the substrate for deposition. Torches can be heated through various methods including plasma heating and resistance heating.
Media supply serves the task of supplying the fuel used by the system to produce flames for heating the torch. This feature lacks in some models or it comes as an integral component. The wire, liquid, or powder that is coated on substrates is supplied by the feeder. It supplies the material directly to the gun for melting. Normally feeders have components that terminate on the exterior of the equipment for ease of access by the person operating the machine.
Torches and substrates are manipulated by a circuitry referred to as a robot. Efficiency can only be achieved if the substrate is repeatedly turned to expose all parts to the coat. The angle of the torch might also need to be adjusted during the process. Power supplies are normally standalone units that provide power for heating the torch.
The process starts by introducing the already prepared substrate into the chamber and powering it on. The feeder is then loaded with the metal wire, which is then melted down into a molten form. Once the wire has melted completely, it is heated further until it turns into fumes. The fumes escape into the air and settle on the substrate. Substrates are normally placed below the torch for the fumes to settle on.
Thickness of coatings is varied using the consoles. Generally, the thickness of the coatings grow as more fumes settle on a substrate. This implies that allowing more time for deposition forms thicker coats. Uniformly spread coatings are formed after the fumes settle and cool down.
This process finds application in many fields. Mainly, it is used in the production of coatings on structural materials. Such coatings are used as thermal barriers against high temperatures in various applications. Other main uses include protection against wear and tear, erosion, and corrosion. The aesthetic property of substrates is also improved a lot.
This process occurs inside vacuum chambers to avoid contamination of metal coatings by impurities. The vacuum chamber system comprises of several components which include spray torch, robot, power supply, control console, feeder, and media supply. The number of control consoles may be more than one on a single machine depending on size and how much it is sophisticated. Consoles may be separate devices or they be integrated into the rest of the system.
Spray torch is the gun that melts the metal to be used in coating. The temperature of the torch is normally raised to very high levels to be able to turn metal into a molten form. The temperature can be regulated through the control console according to the requirements of the process. The gun also accelerates the molten metal towards the substrate for deposition. Torches can be heated through various methods including plasma heating and resistance heating.
Media supply serves the task of supplying the fuel used by the system to produce flames for heating the torch. This feature lacks in some models or it comes as an integral component. The wire, liquid, or powder that is coated on substrates is supplied by the feeder. It supplies the material directly to the gun for melting. Normally feeders have components that terminate on the exterior of the equipment for ease of access by the person operating the machine.
Torches and substrates are manipulated by a circuitry referred to as a robot. Efficiency can only be achieved if the substrate is repeatedly turned to expose all parts to the coat. The angle of the torch might also need to be adjusted during the process. Power supplies are normally standalone units that provide power for heating the torch.
The process starts by introducing the already prepared substrate into the chamber and powering it on. The feeder is then loaded with the metal wire, which is then melted down into a molten form. Once the wire has melted completely, it is heated further until it turns into fumes. The fumes escape into the air and settle on the substrate. Substrates are normally placed below the torch for the fumes to settle on.
Thickness of coatings is varied using the consoles. Generally, the thickness of the coatings grow as more fumes settle on a substrate. This implies that allowing more time for deposition forms thicker coats. Uniformly spread coatings are formed after the fumes settle and cool down.
This process finds application in many fields. Mainly, it is used in the production of coatings on structural materials. Such coatings are used as thermal barriers against high temperatures in various applications. Other main uses include protection against wear and tear, erosion, and corrosion. The aesthetic property of substrates is also improved a lot.
