Our Technology and Expertise

PVD technology can be used to metallize R2R-produced flexible materials with a low VOC (volatile organic compound) concentration.

The following diagram shows the standard metallization process :

With a roll of metallizable film in the metallizer :

• The metallization chamber is cleaned and prepared so that the full surface of the materials covered; the chamber is then closed and depressurised to the vacuum threshold required for uniform evaporation.
• The material on the process roll is exposed to the metal vapours produced by the ceramic evaporators in the chamber below. The low pressure in the metallization chamber means that the vapour can cover the distance between the evaporation source and the surface of the material to be coated (such as plastic, textile or non-woven film).
• The thickness of the coating is monitored on the fly to ensure uniformity.
• Once the full length of the roll has been exposed to the metal vapour and rewound, atmospheric pressure is re-established and the machine is opened to start another cycle.
• Those materials that are least receptive to the metallization process may be plasma-treated and then coated to improve their surface properties.

Metallized materials used in the packaging industry are constantly evolving.

MET-LUX S.A. maintains a particular focus on customer requirements and the environmental impact of its activity, downgauging films and paying close attention to the types of polymers used.
The demand for materials with barrier properties and the levels of these barriers are constantly increasing.
Our product range includes high-barrier films made from a wide variety of plastics.

Barrier properties :

Optical density value (OD) is equal to the inverse of the base 10 logarithm of the percentage of light transmitted (T) through the metallized film. The higher the optical density value, the thicker the metal layer.
                  
OD = - log T

By way of example, this table lists a number of types of metallized film and their standard oxygen and water vapour barrier levels.

Optical density level is rated as follows :

(1). At standard optical density, the degree of metallization is adjusted to suit the requirements of the end application.

Market and applications

MET-LUX S.A. is active in a variety of business sectors.

The company's vacuum metallization process is an essential complement to customers' own operations, meeting their expectations by tailoring products to specific requirements.