THERMITAL provides an integrated solution of Mar-Bal’s Engineering design expertise, core competency in thermoset compounding, molding and PVD finishing.
Since the first composite materials were introduced in product manufacturing a few short decades ago, the industry has grown exponentially. Today, thermoset composites are commonly used in the manufacturing of everyday goods. As a leader in thermoset composite technology, Mar-Bal continues to research more effective applications for composites in finishing and molding processes.
Mar-Bal’s latest advancement is THERMITAL, a finishing process that combines our proprietary thermoset composite with a metalized finish, applied by PVD (physical vapor deposition).
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THERMITAL creates metal finishes over plastics while still utlizing the advantages of molded products.
Vacuum Metalizing or Physical Vapor Deposition is the process of applying a variety of different metals to a substrate and is most commonly used as an applicator over plastics.
To accomplish this process, you must use large vacuum chambers that pump out (down) the air which is made up primarily of nitrogen and oxygen gases.
By using different gases during the application of the metal, one can achieve a variety of colors similar to conventional coatings, such as:
- Chrome
- Tin
- Aluminum
- Stainless (variety)
- Titanium
- Copper
- Brass
Thermital uses a UV-cured, clear coat with a spray method of application. This allows for a very durable coating similar in most automotive finishes and are often used to increase your coating system qualities:
- Gloss Levels
- Hardness
- Chemical Resistance
- Clean Ability
- Anti-Finger Printing
- Soft-Touch
Some performance characteristics of our UV coating are mostly industry-standard:
- Adhesion
- Hardness
- Fading at Elevated Temperatures
- Stain Resistance
