Besides using resistance heated thermal evaporation sources, methods such as electron beam, cathodic arc, and sputtering can be used. These methods have a much higher capital equipment cost. They may be appropriate, however, for materials which would decompose or degenerate upon heating. The material will dictate which of the techniques listed above should be used. Please contact us for details on specific materials.
Plastic is probably the most common material coated.
Often this is to enhance the appearance of a plastic part or to increase its reflectivity. A metallic coating may also be used to reduce electromagnetic or radio frequency interference in electrical or electronic devices with plastic housings. Lenses can be coated to improve performance, integrated circuits can be created, film for food packaging is often metallized to improve its barrier properties. The deposited film is typically very thin, and composed of small platelets formed when the vapor hits the substrate. Films are usually in the neighborhood of 1000 angstroms thick.