UV Spray Vacuum Coating Machines: Hubei Lion King Leads Chrome Plating Innovation on Plastic and Glass

1. Introduction: The Need for New Chrome Plating & Hubei Lion King’s Role

Traditional chrome electroplating (using toxic hexavalent chromium, Cr⁶⁺) struggles with strict regulations (EU REACH, China’s "14th Five-Year" Environmental Plan), high wastewater treatment costs, and heat damage to plastics (e.g., PP, PE). As a sustainable alternative, UV Spray vacuum coating technology has emerged—and Hubei Lion King Vacuum Technology Co., Ltd. leads this transformation.

Lion King independently develops UV Spray vacuum coating machines integrating high-efficiency UV curing and precision PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) technology. These machines enable low-cost, high-quality chrome plating on plastic/glass, complying with environmental standards, and serve enterprises in Hubei, the Yangtze River Delta, and beyond.

2. Core Technology: How Lion King’s UV Spray Vacuum Coating Works

Lion King’s equipment follows a three-stage process—pretreatment, vacuum metallization, post-treatment—optimized for adhesion, uniformity, and efficiency.

2.1 Stage 1: UV-Curable Pretreatment – Lion King’s Customized Systems

Pretreatment resolves substrate-metallic incompatibility. Lion King’s integrated pretreatment line combines cleaning, activation, and curing to reduce manual work.

2.1.1 Substrate Cleaning

• Plastics (ABS, PC, PP): Uses Lion King 40–60 kHz ultrasonic tanks (adjustable frequency to protect fragile parts) with custom alkaline detergents (5–15 minutes). Followed by a deionized water rinsing module and energy-saving hot air tunnel (60–80°C, 10–20 minutes, 15% more efficient than ordinary dryers). For low-surface-energy PP, an optional argon plasma activation device (10–30 Pa, 50–100 W, patented airtight chamber) boosts surface tension to >45 mN/m.

• Glass: Equipped with a 10% hydrofluoric acid etching station (auto-concentration monitoring) and IPA ultrasonic degreasing module to remove oxides and residues.

2.1.2 UV Primer Application

Lion King provides customized primers (co-developed with chemical giants) and a high-precision electrostatic spray gun (0.2–0.5 mm nozzle, 30–50 kV, ≥95% atomization uniformity):

• Plastics: Acrylate-based primers with Lion King’s exclusive silane coupling agents (20% better adhesion) and auto-rotation fixtures (no coating dead angles), achieving 5–15 μm dry film thickness (DFT).

• Glass: Epoxy-acrylate primers with silica nanoparticles (enhanced hardness) sprayed via airless pumps (15–25 MPa, stable pressure for large panels like 2m×3m).

2.1.3 UV Curing

Uses Lion King UV lamps (UVC 200–280 nm or UVV 395–405 nm, 800–1200 mW/cm², ≥8000-hour life—50% longer than ordinary lamps). Curing takes 3–10 seconds, with an intelligent temperature control module to avoid overheating. Post-curing, primers reach ≥2H pencil hardness (plastics) and ≥4H (glass).

2.2 Stage 2: Vacuum Metallization – Lion King’s Precision PVD

The Lion King vacuum chamber (304 stainless steel, patented leak-proof design, 10⁻⁵ Pa vacuum) ensures uniform, oxidation-free chrome deposition. Two optimized PVD technologies are available:

2.2.1 Magnetron Sputtering (Mainstream for Chrome)

Ideal for automotive trim and electronics:

• Setup: 99.95% high-purity chrome targets (custom sizes: 500×100×10 mm to 1000×200×15 mm) and multi-station rotating fixtures (50–200 workpieces/batch, 30% more efficient than single-station).

• Control: Precision argon flowmeters (20–50 sccm, ≤±2% error), stable high-voltage power supplies (300–500 V), and permanent magnet systems (0.1–0.3 T, ≥90% magnetic uniformity).

• Result: 0.1–1 μm chrome layer, ≥90% reflectivity (meets luxury "mirror finish" standards), controlled via quartz crystal microbalance (±0.01 μm accuracy) and intelligent panels.

2.2.2 Thermal Evaporation (for Large Glass)

For mirror/architectural glass:

• Equipped with high-temperature tungsten crucibles (1800–2000°C, ≥500 uses) and rapid heating modules (20% time savings). Post-evaporation plasma densification boosts layer density by 15%, reducing extra treatment.

2.3 Stage 3: UV Post-Treatment – Protection & Inspection

Lion King’s integrated post-treatment line safeguards the thin chrome layer:

• Topcoat: Custom urethane-acrylate topcoats (with UV absorbers and alumina nanoparticles) for scratch/chemical resistance.

• Application & Curing: Electrostatic spraying (10–20 μm DFT) and high-intensity UVV curing (1000–1500 mW/cm², 5–15 seconds).

• Inspection: Online modules auto-detect uniformity/thickness, rejecting defects in real time.

Final products pass: 500 Taber abrasion cycles (<5% reflectivity loss), 24-hour chemical immersion (no blistering), and 1000-hour xenon arc testing (no yellowing).

3. Material Compatibility: Lion King’s Customized Solutions

3.1 Plastic Substrates

3.2 Glass Substrates

• Soda-Lime (Decorative): Acid etching + ultrasonic cleaning, silica-filled primer (matches glass expansion coefficient: 9×10⁻⁶/°C).

• Borosilicate (Heat-Resistant): Epoxy-acrylate primer (Tg=180°C), no etching.

• Tempered (Automotive/Electronics): Post-metallization annealing (120°C, 30 minutes) to relieve stress.

4. Industry Applications: Lion King’s Equipment in Action

4.1 Automotive Industry

• Interior: PC/ABS trim (bezels, handles) for Hubei automakers. Lines meet 1000-hour 85°C/85% RH hydrolysis resistance, 10,000 cotton rub cycles (no scratches), 5000 pieces/day capacity.

• Exterior: GMRP trim (grilles, mirror caps) for Ford suppliers. Passes 500-hour salt spray tests (ASTM B117).

4.2 Consumer Electronics

• Phone Casings: Small magnetron machines (model LK-MS-300) for Guangdong/Jiangsu manufacturers. ±0.02 μm thickness error, 2 minutes/batch, 18% energy savings.

• Smart Watch Bezels: UV post-treatment lines (LK-UV-500) for stainless steel-plastic parts. ≥3H pencil hardness, fingerprint resistance (meets Apple/Xiaomi standards).

4.3 Home Decor & Optics

• Decorative Glass: Large thermal evaporation machines (LK-TE-2000) for Zhejiang mirror makers. 2m×3m panel capacity, ≥98% yield, ≥92% reflectivity.

• Optical Lenses: High-purity coating machines (LK-MS-500) for Wuhan optics. Pinhole-free chrome layers, stable optical performance.

5. Why Choose Lion King? Core Advantages

5.1 Strong R&D & Patents

20-person R&D team (5 senior engineers), 15 patents (leak-proof chamber ZL202320123456.7), annual product updates (2024 LK-MS-600 with AI thickness control).

5.2 One-Stop Custom Solutions

• Pre-sales: On-site surveys, equipment selection (LK-MS for small parts, LK-TE for large glass).

• In-sales: Installation, commissioning, 3-day on-site training.

• Post-sales: 24-hour Hubei response team (48-hour engineer arrival), lifetime technical support, factory-priced spare parts.

5.3 Compliance

No Cr⁶⁺/wastewater, ISO 9001/14001, CE (Europe export).

6. Conclusion & Contact

UV Spray vacuum coating will replace traditional electroplating. Hubei Lion King delivers high-performance, eco-friendly machines for mass production (automotive), precision coating (electronics), and versatility (home décor).

Contact Hubei Lion King:

Company Name: Hubei Lion King Vacuum Technology Co., Ltd.

Address: No. 3, 17th Floor, Unit 1, Building 03, Phase II, Jinmao Mansion, Shoukai OCT, Hexie Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China

Contact: Miss Miranda  / Foreign Trade Sales Manager

Phone: 86 18302726380 / 86 18818843626

Email: Miranda@lionpvd.com

WebSite: www.vacuum-coatingmachines.com

Choose Lion King—your trusted vacuum coating partner!