metalizacja

Metalizacja, or metallization, is the deposition of a metallic coating on a substrate to alter surface properties or appearance. The goal is to provide corrosion protection, wear resistance, electrical conductivity, thermal management, or decorative/reflection effects, while leaving the original material intact.

Common methods include chemical metallization (electroless plating) which deposits metal via chemical reduction without external current; electroplating (galvanic deposition) using electric current; physical methods such as vacuum deposition (evaporation, sputtering) in PVD; and thermal spraying (plasma, flame) for thicker coatings. More specialized techniques include cold spraying and chemical vapor deposition.

Surface preparation is crucial: cleaning, degreasing, etching or roughening to improve adhesion; primer or adhesion-promoting layers; masking of areas not to be coated. Substrates can be metals, polymers, ceramics; coated thickness ranges from nanometers (PVD) to tens of micrometers (thermal spray).

Applications include protective coatings on steel or aluminum, conductive coatings on plastics, reflective coatings for optical components, decorative finishes on consumer goods, and protective or functional coatings in automotive, electronics, and architecture. Zinc galvanization is a common metallization of steel.

Advantages include enhanced surface properties and the ability to coat complex geometries; limitations involve cost, equipment needs, potential adhesion issues, residual stresses, and performance limits under high temperatures. Quality control relies on adhesion tests, thickness measurements (X-ray fluorescence, profilometry), and surface inspection.