The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Coating of reflectors

Is there any method of coating reflectors (for flashlights)apart from vacuum metallizing. Suggest a feasible method because presently we are facing difficulty in doing the process.

H. Mohamed Shafee
flashlight manufacturer- lucknow(U.P.), Uttar Pradesh, India
2003

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Most likely no alternative as economical as the combination of plastic base and vacuum aluminum coating. I am not aware of another method of depositing aluminum that will give you the brightness you need. Aluminum has the highest reflectivity among low cost metals, and does not tarnish easily like silver. Plastic base provides low cost gloss to coating surface.

You did not say what problems you are having to make any suggestions.

Mandar Sunthankar
- Fort Collins, Colorado
2003

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One can use plasma PVD techniques like sputtering, cathodic arc etc.
Adhesion as well as quality of the film would be better than usual metallizing.

Reflectivity depends on the purity of the system.

H.R. Prabhakara - Consultant
Bangalore Plasmatek - Bangalore Karnataka India
2003