Electroplating process of metal glasses

The main coloring processes for METAL SUNGLASSES include electroplating, oil spraying, etc. The following mainly talks about the electroplating process of metal frames.

Electrophoretic coating, commonly known as water plating, is the most commonly used electroplating method for Metal Eyeglass Frames. It is an electroplating process that colors the surface of the frame through electrolysis. Most of the metal glasses we see, including metal optical glasses, and metal sunglasses, have their surfaces completed by water plating.

1. Principle of water plating. Water plating is a process that uses electrolysis to deposit metal or alloy on the surface of a workpiece to form a uniform, dense, and well-bonded metal layer. For example, electrogolding means placing the spectacle frame in an electroplating gold vat (the gold vat is filled with a prepared electroplating liquid, and real gold is dissolved in it through chemical means), and then the machine is started, and a thin layer of gold is attached to the surface of the frame. .

2. The basic process of water plating: cleaning the frame (pickling) - drying - hanging rack (hanging on a special rack) - discharge and plating red, first electrolyte the background color (usually silver - electrolyte and then dry ( Drying) - Put the required color into the electroplating tank - Start the electroplating machine (the darker the color, the longer the electroplating time) - Take out the rack to dry (dry) - Electrophoresis glue (or spray glue, mainly (Protective, and complementary color) -- Drying (drying) -- QC shipment

3. Advantages and disadvantages of water plating:

3.1 Rich colors and good gloss. Common ones include gold, silver, gun color, rose gold, etc. You can also add the required color to the top layer of glue to make the color of the spectacle frame richer, such as red. , black, yellow, blue, etc. In order to save costs, there are many low-end and mid-range metal frames that are electroplated with a very light gold color (or even silver) first through an electroplating cylinder, and then add color powder to the glue to achieve the final effect. Looks like gold color. But the brightness will be worse than that of real gold. If you want electric matte color, the glue on the surface is matte glue.

3.2 The cost is relatively low. Comparing common coloring processes, IP electroplating has the highest cost, water plating is medium, and general color spraying is relatively the lowest. (The price reference for water plating of an ordinary metal frame: electric silver or electric nickel is about 3 yuan, ordinary gold is about 4 yuan, and gold is about 7 yuan. Two-color electroplating will increase the cost depending on the difficulty).

3.3 Good adhesion. It is better than ordinary spray color, but worse than IP plating. The glue on the electroplating surface plays a very critical role in adhesion. The glue and glue spraying process directly determine the quality of its adhesion. For example, some glues can only guarantee the anti-sweat test for 24 hours, while some glues can last up to 65 hours, and some can even spray a second glue, and the anti-sweat test can reach more than 72 hours.

4. The water plating process is suitable for various types of glasses, mainly various metal frames, such as metal optical glasses, metal sunglasses, and various metal accessories for plate glasses, horn glasses, etc. The materials include stainless steel, white copper, manganese, etc.

5. Main color expression of electroplating.

1. Light color. After electroplating, a layer of transparent glue is added to the surface and then baked to dry. This can not only increase the gloss of the electroplated surface, but also increase its adhesion.

2. Matt color. After electroplating, a layer of matte glue is added to the surface, so that the effect is matte and dull. But there will also be a special metallic texture.

3. Sand color. Before electroplating, put the glasses frame in a sandblasting machine for sandblasting, then take it out for electroplating and then apply glue. The resulting surface is bright and sandy, and the sandblasting frame is also called a smooth sanding frame.

4. Scan color. After electroplating, apply glossy or matte glue normally, and then use a color scanner (similar to a grinder, but with different wheels) to sweep out stripes, usually along the line. The resulting effect has many thin stripes, like pavement swept with a broom. The disadvantage is that the anti-oxidation ability of the color scanning frame will be reduced because it destroys the surface adhesive layer. In addition, the joints between the various parts of the glasses are often not visible, which also affects the appearance.

5. Two-color or multi-color glasses. Refers to a pair of glasses with two colors or multiple colors. This is also a common way, usually by applying isolation oil on certain areas, and after electromagnetic or spraying the second color, wash off the areas where the isolation oil has been applied to reveal the first color. If no isolation oil is applied, it must be wiped off manually. The two-color process is usually combined with oil spraying.

6. Other knowledge.

5.1 There are generally two methods of silver plating. The most common is nickel plating, which is relatively cheap and the silver plated has a very light yellow color; the other is handle plating, which is a more environmentally friendly method. It looks whiter and brighter, with a light cyan color, more like platinum. This kind of cost is slightly more expensive;

5.2 Frame electroplating base color. The main function of the base layer is to increase adhesion and increase smoothness (just like painting a wall before painting a base layer). Common bases include 1) Nickel base 2) Copper base 3) IP base (better adhesion, extra money) 3) Black base (if it's black, it has good adhesion, extra money) 4) White chrome bottom etc.

5.3 Metal glasses can also use IP electricity. The adhesion of IP plating will be stronger and it is completely harmless to the skin. However, the cost of IP plating is much higher, so ordinary metal frames are generally rarely used.