Metal Coating: An Overview of the Benefits and Applications!

In the application of optical components, metal coatings serve various purposes, including enhancing optical performance, preventing substrate oxidation, increasing the abrasion resistance of optical components, and improving the conductivity of optical products if necessary. To sum up, metal coatings play a crucial role in optical components, not only improving the optical performance but also enhancing the durability. Next, let's further discuss the relevant knowledge and applications of metal coatings.
 

What is metal coating？

In the application of optical components, metal coatings are thin metallic films formed on the surface of substrates, imparting various crucial properties to optical components. These thin films can be formed on the substrate surface through technologies such as vacuum evaporation, sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, etc. They play several important roles in optical components, including improving optical performance and protecting the substrate surface.

Common types of metal coating

Metal coating refers to the technologies of depositing metal onto the surface of substrates to enhance the performance or appearance. Common technologies include electroplating or thermal spraying. However, in opticas, metal coatings utilize technologies such as vacuum deposition, sputtering, and chemical vapor deposition. These thin metallic films come in different thicknesses and structures to meet various optical requirements. YANG EN TECH CO., LTD. possesses advanced PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) vacuum deposition machines, capable of evaporating metal materials in a high vacuum environment and forming thin films on the substrate, ensuring high purity and uniformity of the film layers. Compared to chemical vapor deposition techniques, PVD vacuum deposition does not require the use of chemicals, thus eliminating the generation of harmful substances or gas emissions, making it environmentally friendly. Furthermore, PVD technology enables precise control of film thickness, allowing its application on substrates of various shapes and sizes.

4 Benefits of metal coating

Prevention of Oxidation

The application of metal coatings in optical products is indispensable. It provides a strong protective layer on the substrate surface, effectively preventing oxidation for susceptible metals or alloys. This prevents the substrate from reacting with oxygen in the environment, thereby slowing down or avoiding oxidation, extending the product's life cycle, and enhancing its performance.
 

Enhancement of radiation tolerance

Optical components used in space projects may be subjected to various forms of radiation, including solar radiation and cosmic rays. These radiations can potentially damage optical components in space. Therefore, suitable metal materials and coating thicknesses can be chosen based on radiation environment and requirements. Metal coatings can be employed to enhance the radiation tolerance of optical components in space.

Reinforcement of Hardness and Abrasion Resistance

Metal coatings on optical components can effectively resist surface abrasion. Various wear resistance tests are often conducted on metal coatings of optical components to assess their durability and performance. Among these, the most common method is the cross-cut test, which evaluates the wear resistance of the metal coating layer according to relevant specifications, ensuring its ability to maintain surface integrity during use.
 

Enhancement of Optical Properties

Metal coatings can enhance the optical properties of optical components. They offer an effective means to precisely adjust the reflectance or transmittance of optical components by selecting different metal materials and controlling the thickness of the coating. This capability enables meeting the optical requirements of various wavelength ranges, thus providing more possibilities for the application of optical components.
 

Applications of metal coating

Metal coatings have numerous applications in daily life. In addition to electronic products, it is also applied in fields such as space satellites and optical communications. These applications not only demonstrate the versatility of metal coatings but also underscore their significant role across various industries. The following will further introduce the applications of metal coatings in electronic products, space satellites, and optical communications.

Metal Coating Application Case 1: Electronic Products

In electronic products, the application scope of optical metal coatings includes display components, camera lenses, optical filters, and optical sensors, and so on. Through metal coatings, not only can their optical properties be enhanced, such as improving reflectance or transmittance, but also better product performance and service can be provided, thereby increasing customer satisfaction and making the products more competitive in the market.
 

Metal Coating Application Case 2: Space Satellites

In the field of space satellites, metal coatings play a crucial role. Space satellites need to withstand harsh radiation, and metal coatings can provide excellent protection by acting as a barrier against external radiation. Moreover, metal coatings on optical filters can be customized to meet specific requirements for reflectance or transmittance in different wavelength bands as needed.
 

Metal Coating Application Case 3: Optical Communication

Metal coatings on optical components are widely used in optical communication, including reflectors, beam splitters, and other optical filters. Through the metal coating layers on optical components, their optical performance and characteristics can be enhanced, or specific wavelength ranges of light signals can be selectively passed or blocked to meet the requirements of specific optical communication applications.

 

We are the best choice for metal coating!

YANG EN TECH CO., LTD. has been deeply involved in the optical industry for many years. During this time, we have continuously improved our metal coating techniques. Not only have we acquired relevant new patents, but we have also applied this technique to space projects.

In the challenging space environment, our metal coatings offer multiple advantages, including abrasion resistance, high radiation tolerance, resistance to high temperature and humidity, strong adhesion, and resistance to environmental testing. Abrasion resistance enables our metal coatings to withstand the impact of particles in space, ensuring the integrity of the equipment. High radiation tolerance allows our products to maintain their optical performance even under the influence of space radiation. The ability to resist high temperature and humidity variations enables our coatings to adapt to extreme conditions in space. Additionally, our metal coatings exhibit excellent adhesion, ensuring they remain firmly attached even under extreme usage conditions. Finally, our coatings have undergone environmental testing, ensuring the stability of our products in space projects.
〈Related Patents：Black Chrome Coating for Optical Sensor Unit, Metallic Silver Coating for Optical Sensor Unit〉

Our metal coating products, with the aforementioned advantages, have become an indispensable part of space projects. We are committed to providing the most reliable metal optical coating solutions, contributing to the exploration of the universe.
 

Conclusion

YANG EN TECH CO., LTD. have over 15 years of experience in providing services including optical coating designs, optical filter manufacturing, glass processing/finishing, and all kinds of optical coatings. Our special metal coating techniques has added numerous advantages to our products, including enhanced surface hardness/abrasion resistance, improved radiation tolerance, and enhanced optical properties. These advantages make our metal coating products more competitive, providing customers with higher added value.Should you have any requests for optical coatings, please do not hesitate to contact us！