Vacuum Metallizing Key Terms

Understand basic key terms related to vacuum metalizing processes

By Howard Robertson

Vacuum metallizing is the process of evaporating metals inside a vacuum chamber, which then bond to the desired substrate, to achieve a uniform metalized layer. There are different applications for vacuum metallizing, including automotive and motor sport accessories, automotive interior trims, sporting goods, toys, models, novelty items, display items, decorative fixtures and cosmetic closures.

If you want to establish yourself as a provider of vacuum metallizing services, you will need to understand the basic terminology associated with vacuum metallizing. This guide covers some of the relevant terms, such as shielding, electroplating, PVD and thermal evaporation.

Shielding

Shielding is a process that allows evaporating up to 8 microns of aluminum. The typical thickness of evaporated aluminum for light reflectors and chrome decorative coatings is approximately 1000 angstroms. Shielding is done by vacuum metallizing.
Try: You can read through an explanation about shielding at Omega Shielding Products, a certified manufacturer of EMI shielding and RFI shielding products.

Electroplating

Electroplating is a process in which a layer of a metal is deposited on metallic or non metallic electrodes by electrolysis in an electric cell. The process of electroplating is also used in vacuum metallizing.
Try: You can read through an explanation of the electroplating process at Finishing.com, an informative website for the finishing industry.

PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition)

Physical vapor deposition (PVD) covers a group of surface coating technologies that are extremely useful for various applications, such as vacuum metallizing, decorative coating, tool coating and other equipment coating functions.
Try: AZoM, an online knowledge resource, provides primary materials information for the engineering professional.

Vacuum thermal evaporation

In a vacuum thermal evaporation deposition process, heating is done until evaporation of the material is deposited on the desired surface.
Try: Oxford Vacuum Science, a supplier of vacuum products, offers detailed information about thermal evaporation processes.

CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition)

CVD is characterized by uniform vacuum metalized coatings. It provides hardness, wear and corrosion resistance to various products, such as nozzles, rolls and forming tools.
Try: You can learn more about chemical vapor deposition at Hsin-Tien Chiu, an informative website. For more information on CVD process, you can read through Corrosion Doctors’ website.

Vacuum deposition

Vacuum deposition is useful for depositing coating on a material at sub-atmospheric pressure on a solid surface.
Try: You can read through the dictionary of descriptive terminology by CoOL (Conservation OnLine), a project of the Preservation Department of Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources. In addition, you can read through the glossary of terms and acronyms for vacuum coating technology at Society of Vacuum Coaters (PDF).