Chrome coating composition

Abstract

A metallic coating composition and vacuum metalization process for applying the coating composition on aluminum and steel substrates, for example on vehicle wheels, hub caps, bumpers and the like. The process is environmentally compatible and produces a decorative, wear-resistant chrome finish and comprises four stages: a cleaning or preparation stage, a base coat application stage, a two-step PVD stage, and a topcoat application stage. An organic epoxy, thermosetting powder base coat is applied to smooth the surface to a glass-like finish and to ensure adhesion of the metal coatings. A two part metal coating is applied via a PVD process, consisting of a Ni/Cr base and a Cr layer. A protective acrylic, thermosetting topcoat is applied to protect the metal coating layers.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A metallic coating composition for a prepared aluminum or steel substrate comprising: 
 a) a first stabilizing metallic layer, said first stabilizing metallic layer comprising a mixture of approximately 50-80% Nickel and 50-20% Chromium;    b) a second metallic layer applied to said first stabilizing metallic layer, said second metallic layer comprising approximately 99% Chromium; and    c) a top protective layer applied to said second metallic layer.    
     
     
         2 . The metallic coating composition of  claim 1 , wherein said top protective layer is an acrylic thermosetting powder and is cured at an approximate range of 320-360° C.  
     
     
         3 . The metallic coating composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a base coat beneath said first stabilizing metallic layer.  
     
     
         4 . The metallic coating composition of  claim 3 , wherein said base coat is a thermosetting powder.  
     
     
         5 . The metallic coating composition of  claim 1 , wherein said first stabilizing metallic layer and said second stabilizing metallic layer have a combined thickness of approximately 350-600 Å.  
     
     
         6 . The metallic coating composition of  claim 1 , wherein said first metallic layer and said second metallic layer are applied via a vapor deposition process.  
     
     
         7 . The metallic coating composition of  claim 1 , wherein said coating composition on the aluminum or steel substrate is for use in the automotive industry.  
     
     
         8 . A metallic coating composition for a substrate comprising: 
 a) a first metallic layer, said first metallic layer comprising a mixture of approximately 50-80% Nickel and 50-20% Chromium; and    b) a second metallic layer applied to said first metallic layer, said second metallic layer comprising approximately 99% Chromium.    
     
     
         9 . The coating composition of  claim 8 , further comprising a base coat beneath said first metallic layer and a top coat applied over said second metallic layer.  
     
     
         10 . The coating composition of  claim 9 , wherein said base coat is a thermosetting powder and wherein said top coat is an acrylic thermosetting powder.  
     
     
         11 . The coating composition of  claim 8 , wherein said first metallic layer and said second metallic layer have a combined thickness of approximately 350-600 Å.  
     
     
         12 . The coating composition of  claim 8 , wherein said substrate is aluminum or steel and wherein said first metallic layer and said second metallic layer are applied via a vapor deposition process.  
     
     
         13 . A layered coating composition for a prepared substrate comprising: 
 a) a first layer applied via a vacuum vapor deposition process, wherein said first layer is comprised of two metals, a first metal and a second metal, and wherein said first layer is comprised of approximately 50-80% of said first metal and approximately 50-20% of said second metal; and    b) a second layer applied over said first layer via a vacuum vapor deposition process, wherein said second layer is comprised of approximately 99% of said second metal.    
     
     
         14 . The coating composition of  claim 13 , wherein said prepared substrate is made of metal.  
     
     
         15 . The coating composition of  claim 14 , wherein said metal is aluminum or steel.  
     
     
         16 . The coating composition of  claim 13 , wherein said first metal is Nickel.  
     
     
         17 . The coating composition of  claim 13 , wherein said second metal is Chromium.  
     
     
         18 . The coating composition of  claim 13 , wherein a third layer is applied over said second layer and wherein said third layer is a protective top coat layer.  
     
     
         19 . The coating composition of  claim 13 , wherein a base coat is applied onto the substrate beneath said first layer is applied.  
     
     
         20 . The coating composition of  claim 13 , wherein said layered coating composition on said substrate is utilized in the automotive industry.