Chemical metallization is a process called chromium plating. It is based on the reaction of a silver mirror. This effect allows you to achieve a shiny coating on the surface of the product.
Chrome Basics
Modern technology of chemical metallization allows the use of special paints and varnishes for the development of spraying. As a result, the coating will shine and reflect surrounding objects. In addition, it is chemical metallization that allows to achieve the highest degree of adhesion.
It is important that the coating process is carried out without the aid of any caustic substances or explosive components. The carcinogenic components of chromium plating are reduced to an absolute minimum. Chemical metallization has no restrictions on the shape and size of the product. It is also not required to place the object in a liquid acidic environment or to resort to strong heat.
Preparing the surface for chrome plating is similar to the process before applying the paint. Thanks to this, mirror coatings can cover any substrates, but it is better that they be metal. Such chemical treatment does not require significant cash injections. It is enough to purchase a special installation and reagents.
As a result, the owner of the equipment will be able to apply a “silver mirror” even to porous or organic materials. No other technology can produce similar results. Today, chromium plating is a powerful competitor to other metallization processes.
The main stages of technology
The first step to chemical metallization will be the application of a binder primer to the surface. For this, a standard paint sprayer is suitable . Initially, 2-3 layers of adhesive primer are applied to the surface. It is desirable that this be precisely CH.305. In the case of a porous product layers may be a little more.
After receiving a glassy coating with a gloss effect, it is necessary to allow the product to dry. As a result, the bonding primer will provide the subject with good adhesion, a high pollination rate, and perfectly specular gloss.
For the second stage of the technology, a Meta-Chrome installation will be required, thanks to which the chemical metallization will be carried out. To begin with, the surface is activated by spraying CT.2516 reagent on it. After this, the product must be thoroughly washed with distilled water. Then the Meta-Chrom modifier and AB series 101 and 202 reagents are sprayed onto the surface. A snow-white metal coating, similar to a mirror, is formed due to them.
At the final stage, you need to protect the result of chromium plating. For this, a special installation spraying varnish is used. For optimum protection against wear and tarnishing, it is best to apply several coats. Coloring pigments can be added to the mixture of protective varnish so that the surface acquires the desired shade. This is how the effect of chromium, gold, bronze, copper and other metals is achieved.
Technology benefits
Chemical metallization is a very simple process. It’s easy to apply the coating. To do this, it is enough to have standard sprayers. This allows you to coat any product: from the phone to the car hood or statue. Any materials can be chrome plated: plastic, ceramics, wood, gypsum, etc. The degree of reflection of the coating depends on the number of layers applied.
Chemical metallization gives the product extra strength and hardness. Moreover, the coating has high wear resistance. Here, protective varnish is responsible for strength , which is able to withstand any operational wear.
For the chromium plating process, dimensions are not important. Any surface area can be sprayed in a short time. This is one of the main differences from the vacuum metallization process or electroplating.
Chemical coating is much cheaper than using other methods. Average savings of up to 30%. In addition, the coating is environmentally friendly. In the same galvanic process, metallization occurs using toxic hexavalent components.
When chrome plating, you can choose any color of coating. To do this, just add a little toner to the composition of the protective varnish.
DIY chemical metallization
Chrome plating can be done independently. To do this, you will need a small non-residential premises, protected from moisture and dust, and a special installation that performs the process of chemical metallization.
At the first stage, you should prepare the workplace and clean the product from dirt, rust, paint. The application of a binder primer on the surface is best done with a conventional spray gun. This will provide a perfectly smooth glassy coating. You can dry the product in the sun or under a lamp, the main thing is that it does not become dirty.
The metallization process is considered the most complex. To do this, you need an installation that will spray special chemicals on the product. As a result of the reaction with binding soil, a snow-white mirror coating will be achieved. To protect against tarnishing and wear, spray a special varnish onto the surface. A standard airbrush is also suitable for this.
On average, the entire process of chemical
chromium plating at home takes about 17-18 hours.
equipment requirements
The chrome plating installation must first of all meet the main principles of performance. Equipment for chemical metallization must have at least two pressure tanks with reagents. Their total volume is from 12 liters. This will significantly extend the process time.
For beginners, information is an important aspect, so all buttons should be signed on the installation. It is important that all pressure gauges on the front panel are in close proximity to the pressure regulators.
Equipment for chemical metallization must meet ergonomics. The presence of fillers in the installation allows the dynamics to quickly add reagents to the tanks as needed. The main requirement for the manifold is a check valve. Thanks to it, the reagents will not mix.
High reliability of the equipment is achieved by high quality control. Therefore, the installation must belong to one of the leading world brands. If the
warranty period is less than three years, then you should not waste money in vain.
Since the process of chemical chromium plating is harmless, the equipment itself must be environmentally friendly. It is important that reagents do not leak from the tanks. In expensive installations, there is automatic air filtration. In these nebulizers, the compressor removes grease and oil from the microparticles.
Special equipment
The most common chemical metallization plant is Meta-Chrom / Pro-1. Its distinguishing features are a built-in temperature indication in the subsystems, one-stage air filtration, a collector with a backdraft valve, a tank depressurization design, an increased air hose for supplying pressure to the gun.
This is a very compact device, which includes a spray gun, a set of reagents for 20 square meters. m, reagent box, toners and a telemetric conductivity meter. The cost of such an installation is about 120 thousand rubles.
The device "Meta-chrome / Pro-2" is an improved version of the Pro-1. Of the additional functions, there is an indication of the conductivity of the liquid in the tank, a two-stage filter and built-in drain taps. The kit includes 2 spray guns, reagents for 60 square meters. m, reagent container, 6 toners and conductivity meter. The cost of this installation is about 140 thousand rubles.
Key Reagents
All reagents for chemical metallization should be prepared using specially filtered water. Due to this, high light fastness and a minimum coating thickness (up to 0.4 microns) are achieved. It is important that the solution has a maximum reagent concentration. Reagents for chemical metallization should not contain carcinogens and substances that irritate the respiratory tract.
20 sq. Kit m must contain reagents in the following volume: binder primer - 3.3 l, protective varnish - 1.6 l, modifier - 1 l, activator - 1 l, reducing agent - 1 l, hardener - 0.5 l, pigment toners - 40 ml The cost of such a set will be about 20 thousand rubles.
Additional reagents
Often in widespread production, individual reagents for chemical metallization end. Therefore, it is important to take care in advance of purchasing a spare set of necessary substances. However, there is a cheaper option - the retail purchase of reagents.
At present, reagents for chemical metallization can be found on free sale at the following estimated prices (ratio per 1 liter of liquid): bonding primer - 1,500 rubles, protective varnish - 1,450 rubles, reducing agent - 1,350 rubles, stabilizer - 1,200 rubles, activator - 900 rubles; hardener - 700 rubles. The most expensive is considered a modifier - 7300 rubles. per liter.
Test data
Numerous studies have shown that coatings deposited by chemical metallization can withstand impacts of 55 kg / cm 2 without any trace. In addition, the chromium particles do not remain on the adhesive tape. Also, the coating successfully passed salt spray tests. Thus, it is completely protected from corrosion and turbidity.