Metallizzato

Metallizzato describes substances coated with a thin metallic layer or with a metallic appearance. In industrial usage, metallization attaches a metal film to a non-metal substrate to impart reflectivity, barrier properties, conductivity or thermal management. The resulting material is typically a thin layer only micrometres or nanometres thick.

The deposition methods include physical vapor deposition (PVD) such as thermal evaporation or sputtering, and, less commonly, chemical vapor deposition. The process often uses aluminum as the coating material because of its balance of cost, lightness and barrier performance; other metals such as silver, copper or nickel are used for specialized needs.

Common applications include metalized films for packaging (PET, polyolefins or paper), which improve light and aroma barriers while remaining lighter and often cheaper than foil; insulation films that reflect infrared radiation; and decorative or functional coatings on textiles, papers and plastics.

Metallized layers also serve electronics and optics roles, such as conductive paths, EMI shielding, or reflective optics; in some cases metallization is combined with patterns or multi-layer stacks.

Advantages include reduced weight, lower material cost and enhanced barrier or reflective properties. Limitations involve potential delamination or cracking on flexed substrates, moisture ingress at defects, and recycling challenges when metallized layers are combined with other materials.

In consumer contexts, metallizzato describes finishes with a metallic look on plastics, papers or textiles, produced by the metallization process or by metallic coatings.