What is the chemical metallization? Chemical metallization by one's own hands

Chemical metallization is a process called chrome plating. It is based on the reaction of a silver mirror. This effect allows you to achieve a brilliant coating on the surface of the product.

Basics of chromium plating

Modern technology of chemical metallization allows the use of special paint and varnish materials and reagents for the development of spraying. As a result, the coating will shine and reflect the surrounding objects. In addition, it is the chemical metallization that makes it possible to achieve the highest degree of adhesion.

It is important that the coating process is carried out without the aid of any corrosive substances or explosive components. Carcinogenic components of chrome plating are reduced to an absolute minimum. Chemical metallization has no restrictions on the shape and size of the product. Also, it is not necessary to place the object in a liquid acidic environment or to resort to strong heating. The preparation of the surface for chrome is similar to the process before applying the paint. Thanks to this, mirror coatings can cover any bases, but it is better that they be metallic. Such chemical treatment does not require significant monetary 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 on porous or organic materials. No other technology will be able to produce similar results. To date, chromium is a powerful competitor to other processes of metallization.

The main stages of technology

The first step to chemical metallization will be applying to the surface of the binder. For this, a standard paint sprayer is suitable . At first, 2-3 layers of bonding soil are applied to the surface. It is desirable that it was CH.305. In the case of a porous layer product, there may be little more.

After obtaining a vitreous coating with the effect of gloss, it is necessary to let the product dry out. As a result, the cohesive soil will provide the object with good adhesion, a high rate of pollination and an ideal mirror shine.

For the second stage of the technology, a "Meta-chrome" installation is required, thanks to which the metallization of the chemical will be carried out. For starters, the surface is activated by spraying the reagent CT.2516 onto it. After this, the product must be thoroughly rinsed with distilled water. Then the modifier "Meta-chrome" and the reagents-reducing agents AB of series 101 and 202 are sprayed onto the surface. Thanks to them, a snow-white metal coating, similar to a mirror, is formed. At the final stage, you need to protect the result of chrome plating. For this, a special installation is used, spraying the varnish. For optimal protection against wear and tarnish, it is best to apply several layers. In a mixture of protective varnish, color pigments can be added to obtain the desired shade. This is how the effect of chromium, gold, bronze, copper and other metals is achieved.

Technology advantages

Chemical metallization is a very simple process. It is not difficult to apply a coating technologically. For this, it is sufficient to have standard sprayers. This allows you to apply coating to any product: from the phone's body to the car's hood or statue. Any materials can be chrome plated: plastic, ceramics, wood, gypsum and so on. The degree of reflection of the coating depends on the number of layers deposited.

Metallization chemical gives the product additional strength and hardness. Moreover, the coating has a high wear resistance. For strength, a protective varnish is here that is capable of withstanding any operational wear.

For the chromium plating process, dimensions do not matter. Any surface area can be sprayed in a short time. This is one of the main differences from the vacuum metallization process or galvanic electrodeposition. Chemical coating is much cheaper than using other methods. The average saving is up to 30%. In addition, the coating is environmentally friendly. In the same galvanic process, metallization occurs with the use of toxic hexavalent components.

When chrome plating, you can choose any color of the coating. To do this, just add a little toner to the protective coating.

Chemical metallization by one's own hands

Chrome plating can be done by yourself. To do this, you need a small non-residential premises, protected from moisture and dust, and a special installation that carries out the process of chemical metallization.

The first step is to prepare the workplace and clean the product from dirt, rust, paint. It is better to apply the adhesive primer to the surface with a conventional spray gun. This will give an ideally smooth vitreous coating. You can dry the product in the sun or under a lamp, the main thing is that it does not get dirty. The process of metallization is considered the most difficult. To do this, you need an installation that will spray special chemical reagents onto the product. As a result of the reaction with the binding soil, a white mirror coating will be achieved. To protect from tarnishing and wear, spray a special varnish onto the surface. This is also suitable for a standard spray gun.

On average, the entire process of chemical chrome plating at home takes about 17-18 hours.

equipment requirements

The installation for chrome plating in the first place should meet the main performance principles. Equipment for chemical metallization should have at least two pressure tanks with reagents. Their total volume is from 12 liters. This will significantly extend the process time.

For beginners, an important aspect is informative, so all buttons must be signed on the installation. It is important that on the front panel all gauges are in close proximity to the pressure regulators.

Equipment for chemical metallization must meet ergonomics. The presence of filler necks in the installation allows in the dynamics to quickly add reagents to the tanks as needed. The main requirement for the manifold is a non-return valve. Thanks to him, the reagents will not mix. High reliability of the equipment is achieved by high quality control. Therefore, the installation must necessarily belong to one of the world's leading brands. If the warranty period is less than three years, then you should not spend money in vain.

Since the process of chemical chromium plating is harmless, the equipment itself should be environmentally friendly. It is important that the reagents do not leak from the tanks. In expensive installations there is an automatic filtration of air. In such nozzles, the compressor cleans the microparticles of lubricant and oil.

Special equipment

The most common installation for chemical metallization is Meta-chrome / Pro-1. Its distinctive features include an integrated temperature display in the subsystems, a single-stage air filtration, a collector with a return-draft valve, a tank depressurization design, an increased pneumatic hose to apply pressure to the gun.

This is a very compact device, which includes a spray gun, a set of reagents for 20 square meters. M, a reagent box, toners and a telemetric conductometer. The cost of such an installation is about 120 thousand rubles. The device "Meta-chrome / Pro-2" is an upgraded version of Pro-1. Of the additional functions, there is an indication of fluid conductivity in the tank, a two-stage filter and built-in drain valves. The kit includes 2 spray guns, reagents for 60 square meters. M, container for reagents, 6 toners and conductometer. The cost of this installation is about 140 thousand rubles.

Main reagents

All reagents for chemical metallization should be prepared on specially filtered water. Due to this, high lightfastness and a minimum coating thickness (up to 0.4 microns) are achieved. It is important that the solution contains the maximum concentration of the reagent. Reagents for chemical metallization should not contain carcinogens and substances that irritate the respiratory tract.

A set of 20 square meters. M should contain the reagents in the following volume: binding primer 3.3 liters, protective varnish 1.6 liters, modifier 1 liter, activator 1 liter, reducing agent 1 liter, hardener 0.5 liters, pigment toners 40 Ml. The cost of such a set will be about 20 thousand rubles.

Additional reagents

Often in a wide production, separate reagents for chemical metallization come to an end. Therefore, it is important to take care of buying a spare set of necessary substances in advance. However, there is a cheaper option - retail purchase of reagents. At the moment, in the free sale you can find reagents for chemical metallization at the following approximate prices (the ratio of 1 liter of liquid): the binding primer is 1500 rubles, the protective varnish is 1450 rubles, the reducing agent is 1350 rubles, the stabilizer is 1200 rubles. Activator - 900 rubles, hardener - 700 rubles. The most expensive is the modifier - 7300 rubles. Per liter.

Test data

Numerous studies have shown that a coating applied by chemical metallization is capable of withstanding a shock action of 55 kg / cm ² without any traces. In addition, the chromium particles do not remain on the adhesive tape. Also, the coating successfully passed the salt spray test. Thus, it is completely protected from corrosion and turbidity.