초록 ▼

A surprisingly corrosion and abuse resistant plastic object vacuum-metallized with a corrosion prone metal, namely indium, on a dielectric substrate consists of minute specular electrically-discrete “islands”of the indium topcoated with a clear resinous layer which encapsulates and insulates the isl

A surprisingly corrosion and abuse resistant plastic object vacuum-metallized with a corrosion prone metal, namely indium, on a dielectric substrate consists of minute specular electrically-discrete “islands”of the indium topcoated with a clear resinous layer which encapsulates and insulates the islands, one from another. The indium islands are less than one thousand angstroms thick and have an average diameter of less than three thousand angstroms. This island structure is secured by stopping the growth of the metal as it is deposited between the nucleation stage and the stage of channelization or formation of an electrically conductive film. The island structure permits the dielectric resinous topcoat to penetrate in, about and under the metal islands encapsulating and securely bonding them to the substrate. The vacuum deposited indium gives a bright sheeny appearance which, when properly topcoated, very closely duplicates the appearance of electrodeposited chrome. A preferred application of this invention is the manufacture of exterior automobile trim components the base structure of which is a flexible elastomer such as a thermoplastic urethane.

대표청구항 ▼

An automobile trim component comprising: a. a flexible elastomeric base having a prepared surface; b. minute discrete rounded islands comprising indium adhered to said surface, said islands appearing visually as a continuous film but being electrically isolated one from another with said film being

An automobile trim component comprising: a. a flexible elastomeric base having a prepared surface; b. minute discrete rounded islands comprising indium adhered to said surface, said islands appearing visually as a continuous film but being electrically isolated one from another with said film being electrically non-conductive over the surface thereof, while having a light transmission of less than 25% substantially all of said islands having an average diameter of less than 3000 °A and a nominal film thickness of less than 1000 °A; and c. a dielectric clear synthetic plastic top coat adhered to said surface and encapsulating and insulating said islands.