Metal Plating
(for Plastic)

PVD

Compatible Materials

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Metal Plating (for plastic) Guide

Description

Sculpteo offers PVD plating, which stands for Physical Vapor Deposition. This surface treatments apply a metallic layer to your 3D printed object. It will also improve the life of the object with, depending on the metal, better resistance to abrasion, scratches, deformations, oxidation corrosion, acids, etc. 

The metallic layer thickness added to your object is between 40µm and 70µm

  • PVD

The PVD technique adds a thin metallic layer to your object. The advantage of this technique is that it can be used on flexible plastic parts made of TPU. The metallic layer is really thin, up to 2µ, allowing to preserve the details of your 3D printed part.

Perfectly suited for:

Flexible parts

PVD crushing

Prototypes

metal plating

Process

  • PVD
This is physical vapor deposition. The process is carried out under vacuum and transforms the solid material, the metal target, into vapour, which then condenses to cover the substrate, namely the plastic part. The metal is heated to its melting point so that it evaporates and eventually comes into contact with the element to be coated, which is located at a much lower temperature. This allows the metal to return to its solid form and envelop the object in question. Working under vacuum makes it possible to obtain a thin layer of pure and regular metal. Without any impurities, the risk of oxidation and irregularities on the surface of the object is avoided. There are several PVD processes (by evaporation, sputtering or ionization), the one offered by Sculpteo’s online 3D printing service for your 3D printed parts is the sputtering process. homogeneity of the deposit. A low thickness allows an aesthetic appearance, solidifies a part and facilitates cleaning. A slightly greater thickness allows a particular resistance to wear and corrosion. Some materials, such as chrome, will not tarnish.

Delivery Time

The delivery time will depend on the volume and number of parts you order. This information will be communicated to you while placing your order.

How to order your parts with metal plating?

This finishing option is available through our online 3D printing platform. You will get the opportunity to ask for a quote after uploading your 3D file.

The maximum size for plating your models is limited by the physical size of 3D plating tanks. Your designs must respect this maximum size in order to be printed:

  • PVD

380 x 1100 mm

    • For this metallic plating, you will be asked to point out an area where our team will place a hook on your part. This hook is necessary during the plating process and will leave some scars when removed.

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