New coatings on aluminium moulds
Aluminium alloy moulds have successfully entered the plastic blow-moulding and thermoforming market. A large variety of coatings can be deposited and aluminium alloys are thermally sprayed on the aluminium moulds to repair the substrate Aluminium. Steel is also sprayed and used as a repair for protective coatings on aluminium moulds and moulds made of other materials. Graining and structuring the surface of an aluminium mould was achieved through transferring the structure in an electrodeposited Nickel (electroformed Nickel). The Nickel was then fastened to the aluminium mould thus forming its surface. Furthermore anti-stick coatings have been successfully deposited. The coatings were made from plasma-assisted chemical vapour deposition and will allow for improved resistance of the moulded plastic part especially for epoxy resins. The applications are expected to be used not only in the plastic manufacturing industry but also for any repair issue on components and industrial commodities. Additionally they can be used also as hydrophobic coatings, to repel water and dirt from any kind of surfaces.
