Characterization of physical vapor deposited coating on acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and polycarbonate substrates

In this study, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and polycarbonate substrates plastics were coated with aluminum by physical vapor deposition method in order to determine which one is a better choice for outdoor reflector technology. This investigation has been done by applying the coating on a reflector that is already been used in the lighting industry. Scraping test, caustic soda and caustic potash test, reflection efficiency performance test and surface roughness test methods were used to determine the selection. Coatings on acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and polycarbonate plastic materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry. Although acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene plastic material is easier for injection molding and cheaper than poly-carbonate material, the results showed that polycarbonate plastic material is more efficient than acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene plastic material, especially in terms of surface roughness and reflection efficiency.

Automated summary

This study compares acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and polycarbonate plastics by coating them with aluminum to determine which is a better choice for outdoor reflector technology. The results showed that polycarbonate plastic material is more efficient than acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene plastic material, particularly in terms of surface roughness and reflection efficiency.