Evaporated Coatings, Inc. (ECI) specializes in high-quality coatings for plastics. We utilize the most advanced deposition methods and best coating designs to meet your individual project needs. Our knowledgeable staff and state-of-the-art equipment produce consistently exceptional results for all our customers around the world.
Our unique capabilities enable us to design, prepare, and coat plastics tailored to your application. Here is an overview of our plastic coating services.
DESIGN
Our experienced engineers help customers throughout the design phase of their products. We take into consideration your production volume, budget, and performance requirements to develop a tailored solution for your unique application. ECI offers recommendations for thin film design, packaging, and fixturing.
PREPARATION
ECI’s skilled technicians handle customer-supplied substrates with the utmost care. We can complete low- to high-volume production runs using our advanced cleaning equipment and production methods. Our staff also use existing tooling to handle a range of substrates, from large polycarbonate lenses to fragile fiber optic assemblies. Additionally, we offer clean room facilities to meet even the most stringent requirements for wafer surface quality, fiber optic products, and high-power laser components.
COATING
ECI has 16 vacuum deposition systems that are capable of meeting nearly any production or prototype need. Our computer-controlled processing capabilities maximize the quality of results.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
ECI tests every coating once completed to ensure it adheres to both internal and customer specifications. Some of our metrology equipment includes a Perkin Elmer Spectrum 100 Optica, Cary 5000 spectrophotometers, and custom inspection stations that vary depending on our customers’ individual requirements. Our quality system is ISO 9001:2015 certified, and our quality assurance manual is available to customers upon request.
ADHESION COATINGS
Due to its reduced weight and low cost, plastic for optical applications will continue to increase in demand, along with demand for plastic coatings. Coating adhesion, or bond strength, largely depends on the interaction between substrates and coatings, as well as the microstructure and residual stresses of the coating.
In general, if the degree of interfacial reactions remains constant, coatings with high values of tensile residual stress come with a lower adhesion value than coatings that have compressive stress. During deposition, high temperatures at the substrate/coating interface cause diffusion, which intermixes the materials. Strong chemical bonding may take place with certain interfaces and create high adhesive strength values for particle vapor deposition (PVD) coatings.
In thermal spray deposition, coatings are applied at lower temperatures, which results in lower values of adhesion. Adhesive strength comes from mechanical interlocking. Both thermal and cold spray methods produce a rougher surface for the substrate.
POLYCARBONATES AND ACRYLICS
At ECI, we regularly can coat polycarbonate and acrylic substrates with process temperatures below 50°C. All our coatings have excellent adhesion to these materials. We can coat standard and custom shapes, such as polygons and visors. Common settings for our coated polycarbonates and acrylics include medical devices, lighting, projection, and display applications.
HIGH-QUALITY PLASTIC COATINGS FROM EVAPORATED COATINGS, INC.
For over 60 years, Evaporated Coatings, Inc. has been a leading provider of high-precision optical coatings. As developments in vacuum deposition technology progress, ECI continues to innovate in this field. We have developed a variety of original thin film processes and designs with the help of direct U.S. government research and development contracts, SBIR grants, and goal-oriented research conducted for small and large companies. Our customers benefit from a combination of competitive pricing, personalized service, and technical expertise.
ECI is dedicated to serving as the most reliable film coating resource for customers in the U.S. and across the globe. To get started on your next project, contact us today.