Vacuum Metallizing

 

"Elvacite" acrylic resins are useful as base coats and topcoats for vacuum metallized plastics. Low viscosity grades such as "Elvacite" 2008 and 2013 are effective as smooth, adherent base coats. They can be applied at high solids, release solvent rapidly, and have good flow properties to insure hiding of minor surface flaws and scratches. As in other plastic-coating applications, proper choice of a solvent system is important in order to avoid crazing of the substrate. "Elvacite" 2008 methyl methacrylate resin requires a stronger solvent system for application than "Elvacite" 2013 but is more resistant to solvent attack during topcoating of the metallic deposit.

"Elvacite" 2045 and 2046 butyl methacrylate resins are suggested for use as clear, high-gloss, scuff-resistant topcoatings since they can be applied from weak solvents such as VM & p naphtha to minimize attack on the base coat. Harder coatings can be obtained using "Elvacite" 2043 and 2028  which can be applied from alcohol-rich solvent systems.

 

Formula 17

Barrier Coating for Polystyrene

Based on "Elvacite" 2013

 

Ingredients

 

% by Wt

Binder,

% by Wt

"Elvacite" 2013 or 2614

18.46

100.00

Spray solvent for "Elvacite" 2013 (see page 25)

73.85

 

"Ti-Pure" R-900 titanium dioxide1*

6.59

-

Yellow iron oxide, LL, YLO-178826

1.10

-

Total

100.00

100.00

Pigment volume concentration, %

10.5

Nonvolatiles (solids), % by weight

26.2

          % by volume

16.0

Preparation -Dissolve "Elvacite" 2013 in solvent blend. Add pigments and disperse in pebble mill or sand mill.

 

Formula 18

Barrier Coating for Polystyrene

Based on "Elvacite" 2008

 

Ingredients

 

% by Wt

Binder ,

% by Wt

"Elvacite" 2008

9.23

50.00

Alcohol soluble butyrate5

9.23

50.00

Spray solvent for "Elvacite" 2008 (page 26)

73.85

-

"Ti-Pure" R-900 titanium dioxide1

6.59

-

Yellow iron oxide, LL, YLO-178826

1.10

-

Total

100.00

100.00

Pigment volume concentration, %

10.7

Nonvolatiles (solids), % by weight

26.2

% by volume

16.1

Preparation -Dissolve "Elvacite" 2008 in half of the prescribed solvent blend; dissolve alcohol-soluble butyrate in remaining solvent blend and                    combine. (Note: Mixture may be hazy.) Add pigments and disperse in pebble mill or sand mill.

 

Formula 19

Abrasion-Resistant Spray Lacquer for Plastics

 

Ingredients

 

% by Wt

Binder ,

% by Wt

"Elvacite" 2041

1.25

25.07

Methyl ethyl ketone

11.84

-

Diisobutyl ketone

5.90

-

Methyl isobutyl ketone

11.78

-

"Bakelite" VYHH vinyl chloride-acetate resin2*

3.73

74.93

Acetone

11.82

-

Xylene

17.73

-

Toluene

35.46

-

"Syloid" 378 silica hydrogel24

0.49

-

Total

100.00

100.00

Pigment volume concentration, %

5.6

Nonvolatiles (solids), % by weight

5.5

% by volume   

3.4

Volatiles,

 

resultant solubility parameter, d

8.9

resultant hydrogen bonding index, ?

4.5

Typical viscosity, Brookfield, mPa?s (cP)

7.5

#4 Ford cup, sec

10

Abrasion resistance, weight loss, mga

 

50 cycles

3.4

200 cycles

7.5

Preparation -Dissolve "Elvacite" 2041 and vinyl resin in ketone solvents, Disperse silica and dilute with remaining solvents.

a) Tested as 0.8-0.9 mil coating on ABS plastic, using Taber Abraser with CS-10 wheel and 1000-9 load.