A touch of Midas

April 24, 2008
A spray coating technique from Metall-FX in the U.K. can replace traditional gold leaf or provide the quality feel and durability of solid metals without the expense, weight or inconvenience of machined or forged metal products.

The spray process is available for precious metals, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, iron, pewter, stainless steel, tin and zinc, plus alloys of these metals.

The process uses sintered metal in a two-part resin system. The metal undergoes an exothermic cure reaction and sets into solid metal that can be polished, aged, textured, or otherwise treated as any thinly applied metal coating, such as silver plate. With Metall-FX, a trained technician simply primes the surface, sprays the liquid metal in a manner similar to applying paint to a car, and “walks away.”

Virtually any surface can be coated including wood, metal, glass, MDF, plaster, fiberglass, concrete, plastics, metal, as well as painted and unpainted surfaces. The metal can also be made conductive or non-conductive. The coatings are waterproof, heat resistant, class O fire resistant, have a 12 to 15-year warranty, and will last in the same way as traditional metal coatings: If it rusts, it could rust through, or vigorously polishing could wear through it as with a silver-plated object. The cost of the product varies depending on the metal used, and all prices are linked to the London Metal Exchange. Metal-FX

ABS light fitting is finished in antique bronze.

Polystyrene figure is coated with bronze, inlayed with various metals, all with aged finish.

Sponsored Recommendations

Diaphragm Pump Technology Drives Industrial Washers

Jan. 23, 2025
Discover high-performance pumps and systems built to handle various gases, liquids, and chemicals with precision.

Harmonic Drive Actuators with Integrated Drive Technology

Jan. 17, 2025
Discover the future of motion control.In this video, we explore how integrated drive technology (IDT) from Harmonic Drive is revolutionizing the precision mo...

7 factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Gear Technology

Jan. 17, 2025
Choosing a drive involves several design factors that depend greatly on the task at hand. This top 7 list will guide you, whether your task requires precise and exact movements...

What are the Benefits of Actuators with Integrated Servo Drives?

Jan. 17, 2025
Actuators with Integrated Servo Drive Technology (IDT) simplify cable management, control hardware, and commissioning while achieving outstanding performance in a compact size...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!