New Trends in Decorative Coatings

ecorative coatings applied with D . . sputter ion plating processes have become a widely accepted application for vacuum technology. Although the deposition itself is only one important step among others, indusmal decorative applications require a reproducible and productive coating system. Leybold, as a system manufacturer, is featuring machines with a high level of up-time as well as an extraordinary sales service. In addition, such equipment is able to control all manufacturing steps including the choice of substrate material, the proper machining of it, the advisable heat treatment, the correct surface machining, the appropriate electroplating and the right precleaning. All these factors have an important influence, since a successful product does not depend solely on film properties. All system features required in the performance portfolio need to be fulfilled. In some circumstances, features required for a satisfactory coating can only be determined in extensive field tests.