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How to Choose the Right UV Vacuum Plating Solution (Part 1)

Release time:

2026-05-27 17:16

How to Choose the Right UV Vacuum Plating Solution (Part 1)

Vacuum plating involves multiple technical steps, with the substrate material and the plating process serving as the fundamental factors that determine the overall process route. Different plastic materials exhibit varying degrees of compatibility with specific plating processes, and the choice of plating method directly impacts both equipment investment and coating quality. When selecting a process, it is essential to consider the substrate’s properties and the process requirements in order to identify a technical solution that meets the product’s needs.

I. Selection Based on Substrate Type

The substrate is the primary factor determining the UV vacuum plating process route. Different plastic materials exhibit varying degrees of compatibility with plating processes, necessitating the selection of appropriate processes and coatings based on the type of substrate used in the product.

1. ABS is one of the most widely used substrates in vacuum electroplating, offering excellent adhesion to coatings and superior processability. ABS materials are suitable for most UV‑assisted vacuum plating processes; however, it should be noted that their heat resistance is relatively limited, typically not exceeding 80°C.

2. PC material exhibits excellent heat resistance, capable of withstanding temperatures of approximately 130°C. By applying vacuum electroplating followed by a UV‑cured topcoat, PC can meet the stringent high‑temperature requirements of automotive components and other demanding applications.

3. ABS/PC alloy materials combine the processability of ABS with the heat resistance of PC and are widely used in vacuum electroplating. These materials are extensively employed in automotive interior components, electronic product housings, and other applications.

4. Low-surface-energy materials such as PP and PE exhibit poor adhesion to coatings and require surface activation treatments—such as corona treatment or plasma treatment—to enhance the wetting and adhesion of the primer. Vacuum plating on these substrates is more challenging and necessitates the use of specially formulated primers.

5. For engineering plastics such as glass-fiber-reinforced plastics, the substrate surface may exhibit exposed glass fibers; therefore, a primer with excellent filling properties should be selected to seal surface defects.

II. Selection Based on the Coating Process

Vacuum coating processes are primarily categorized into thermal evaporation and magnetron sputtering, each with its own advantages and disadvantages; the choice should be based on the specific requirements of the product.

1. Thermal evaporation coating involves heating a metallic material to vaporize it, which then deposits onto the substrate surface to form a thin film. This method is relatively simple to operate and requires low‑cost equipment, making it well suited for coating low‑melting‑point metals such as aluminum. Thermal evaporation coating is widely used in applications like cosmetic packaging and toy decoration.

2. Magnetron sputtering utilizes ions generated by glow discharge to bombard the target material, causing atoms from the target to be sputtered and deposited onto the substrate. This method yields dense coatings with strong adhesion and excellent uniformity, offering distinct technical advantages. Although magnetron sputtering requires a higher capital investment, it delivers stable coating quality, making it well suited for applications in automotive components, optical devices, and other fields where high adhesion is critical.

3. The choice of coating material also affects product performance. Aluminum is a commonly used coating material due to its low evaporation temperature, excellent adhesion, high reflectivity, and low cost. For products requiring specialized optical properties or color effects, other metallic materials such as tin, indium, and copper may be selected.

III. Selection Based on the Coating System

UV vacuum‑plated coating systems typically comprise a primer and a topcoat, with midcoats added in certain high‑end applications. The selection of each coating layer directly influences the product’s adhesion and surface performance.

1. The selection of a primer must take into account its compatibility with the substrate. The primary functions of a primer are to seal surface defects in the substrate and enhance the adhesion of the coating. For different substrates, it is necessary to choose a primer formulation that matches their specific characteristics. Low‑polarity substrates such as PP and PE require primers with superior adhesion‑promoting performance, while substrates with poor heat resistance should be coated with primers formulated to minimize thermal shrinkage.

2. The selection of the topcoat should take into account both protective performance and decorative appeal. As a protective layer for metal coatings, the topcoat must exhibit excellent wear resistance, scratch resistance, and chemical resistance. For products requiring coloration and decoration, the wetting and dispersing properties of the pigment and filler in the topcoat must also be considered.

3. The mid-coat is suitable for products with stringent performance requirements. Positioned between the primer and the topcoat, it further fills surface imperfections and enhances interlayer adhesion. For applications such as automotive interior components that demand high durability, the mid-coat is an effective choice for improving overall performance.

IV. Conclusion

Selecting an appropriate UV vacuum plating solution requires a comprehensive assessment across three key dimensions: substrate characteristics, plating process, and coating system. The substrate determines the feasibility of the process and guides the selection of coatings; the plating process influences equipment investment and coating quality; and the coating system dictates the product’s adhesion and surface performance. In practice, it is advisable to validate the proposed solution through small‑scale testing, ensuring compatibility between the substrate and coating, alignment of the plating process with product specifications, and the overall integrity of the coating system.

Disclaimer: The above content has been compiled from publicly available sources and is provided for reference only. If any infringement occurs, please contact us, and we will address it promptly.

Bosheng Recommended Products – Vacuum Plating
Primer
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 20% TPGDA.
B-151	Modified epoxy acrylate	Low halogen, yellowing-resistant, excellent plating performance, and strong adhesion.
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
B-163	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent pigment wetting, and strong adhesion.
B-165	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility and strong adhesion
B-212A	Aromatic polyurethane acrylate	High cost-performance, excellent plating adhesion, good toughness, and resistant to boiling water.
B-221	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, resistant to boiling water
B-268M	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent adhesion, superior plating performance, and strong hiding power.
B-574C	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, excellent wettability, suitable for LED UV.
B-619W	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, excellent toughness, wear resistance, and chemical resistance.
Intermediate coat
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-374	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Excellent flexibility, good leveling, resistant to abrasion and chemicals, and resistant to yellowing.
B-601	Aromatic polyurethane acrylate	High hardness, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and excellent cost-effectiveness.
B-6020	Special functional group acrylate	Resistant to boiling water, excellent color development, and strong interlayer adhesion.
Topcoat
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-221	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, resistant to boiling water
B-301	Aromatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, excellent toughness, and good sandability.
B-302	Aromatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high strength, excellent toughness, and good grindability.
B-368	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Good toughness, excellent leveling, excellent bend resistance, and excellent heat resistance.
B-374	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Excellent flexibility, good leveling, resistant to abrasion and chemicals, and resistant to yellowing.
B-574C	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, excellent wettability, suitable for LED UV.
B-601	Aromatic polyurethane acrylate	High hardness, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and excellent cost-effectiveness.
B-6016C	Special functional group acrylate	Easy to apply, resistant to yellowing and boiling water, and improves the appearance of the paint film.
B-6019	Special functional group acrylate	Good leveling, excellent wetting, resistant to boiling water, and superior color dispersion.
B-609	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, scratch resistance, and chemical resistance.
B-615A	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, excellent toughness, wear resistance, and chemical resistance.
B-619W	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, excellent toughness, wear resistance, and chemical resistance.
B-6210	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low viscosity, chemical resistance, environmental resistance, and dual photothermal curing.
B-6211	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, scratch-resistant, and free of organotin.
B-919B	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, excellent toughness, and outstanding chemical and wear resistance.
Monomer Recommendation
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
BM2223 (TPGDA)	Di(propylene glycol) diacrylate	Good flexibility and low volatility
BM3231 (TMPTA)	Trimethylolpropane triacrylate	High crosslink density, high hardness, high gloss, and excellent wear resistance.
BM3235 (PET3A)	Pentaerythritol triacrylate	Fast curing, high crosslink density, high hardness, and chemical resistance.
BM3380 (3EO-TMPTA)	Pentaerythritol triacrylate	More flexible and less irritating than TMPTA.
BM6261 (DPHA-80)	Dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate	High crosslink density, high hardness, chemical and wear resistance, and water resistance.
BM6263 (DPHA-90)	Dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate	High crosslink density, high hardness, chemical and wear resistance, and water resistance.

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How to Choose the Right UV Vacuum Plating Solution (Part 2)

The Differences Between UV Vacuum Plating and Traditional Vacuum Plating