metallilise

Metallilise is the British English verb meaning to coat, deposit, or convert a surface to metal, or to give something a metallic appearance or properties. In technical contexts, metallisation (the noun form) refers to the process of applying a thin metallic layer onto a surface, as well as the resulting metal coating.

The term is derived from metal plus the suffix -ise, and is the regional British variant of metallize (American English). Past and present participles follow the usual patterns: metallised/metallising in British usage, metallized/metallizing in American usage.

Common methods of metallisation include electroplating, galvanization, sputtering, chemical vapour deposition, and thermal evaporation. These techniques enable electrical conductivity, reflectivity, or chemical protection, depending on the surface and metal chosen. In electronics, metallisation is used to form conductor paths on substrates such as ceramics or polymers, or to create metallised films and assemblies. In packaging and optics, metallised films provide barrier properties and high reflectivity, while in art and sculpture metal coatings can alter appearance and durability.

Related terms include metallization (American spelling), electroplating, plating, and various thin-film deposition techniques. In practice, the choice of method depends on adhesion, thickness, conductivity, and environmental resistance required for the intended application.