Are you interested in learning more about metallized paper supplier? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Metallized paper is a special type of paper with a metallic layer deposited on its surface for decorative purposes. Metallized paper is a product that is coated with an aluminum layer and has a matte or glossy finish that provides decorative and protective properties to the product.
Metallized paper can be manufactured using two different systems.
This process involves bonding the paper, usually uncoated, to a sheet of aluminum between 9 and 12 microns thick. Due to the high consumption of aluminum, this system is being used less and less.
This system, which is most commonly used, involves heating aluminum or other materials in a vacuum chamber, causing them to evaporate or sublimate, and then depositing a thin coating on the surface of the coating. One can achieve a unique metallic finish on the package with a fraction of the aluminum content of conventional foil.
The direct high vacuum process for producing metallized paper consists of three separate processes, namely
A thin layer of varnish is applied to the coated substrate in preparation for the subsequent metallization of the surface. The paper is pre-coated with lacquer to smooth the surface, act as a barrier layer between the paper and the metal coating and improve adhesion of the vaporized metal. The varnish is applied to the varnisher in a process similar to intaglio printing. After the varnish is applied, the paper passes through a hot air drying unit to remove the solvent from the varnish. Next, the paper passes through a set of freeze rollers to prevent the paper from sticking in the winder.
This stage is probably the most critical point in the production process. Once the paper scents have been varnished, they are sent to the metallization area, where they are introduced layer by layer in order to apply the aluminum layer to the paper. The pre-coated paper is then metallized directly. The varnished paper is placed in a "metallization chamber" where the aluminum layers are applied through a vaporization or sublimation process.
All metallized papers are then surface coated and rewetted as a final process. Once the reel is placed in the lacquering machine, the metallized paper is subjected to a corona process, which helps to fix the lacquer to the aluminum. Once the corona process is complete, the lacquer is applied using a gravure printing system and then dried using a hot air channel. When the product is colored, it is the lacquer itself that is colored with the final color of the product. The classic color is gold, but from a technical point of view, other colorants can be used if necessary.
Metallized The surface of the product is essentially plastic, or in other words, it is waterproof and non-absorbent. It provides a range of barrier properties to the coated paper, creating a barrier to light, water vapor, oxygen and odors.
Paper can also have special effects that can change the appearance of surfaces that are usually very smooth. Let's take a look at two of them.
This effect can be achieved through a proprietary and patented process of micro-embossing, which is used to create the desired visual effect.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Embossed Metallized paper.
Holographic Metallized Paper
This finishing is achieved through the physical treatment used in certain grades and carried out in an embossing machine.
In addition, from a printing standpoint, metallized paper is a premium facing material - it runs like paper, is smooth and easy to use, and offers excellent printability, high definition and text clarity. These properties make this substrate ideal for beer and food labels. Please contact YF to get your unique solutions!
Method for manufacturing a metallized paper material
The invention is related to the field of manufacturing metallized papers, in particular for packaging purposes. A typical application is in the packaging of cigarettes as an inner liner or internal wrapping, to ensure against loss of flavour and against the drying of the cigarettes. Both are critical parameters for the manufacturer and the end user, and provide confidence in the quality of the end product.
Other applications of the metallized paper material include decorative papers or gift wrap.
The metallized paper material in question can consist of a paper to which by vapour deposition is applied an aluminium layer, for instance with a substance of 20 grammes per square metre. However, this material appears to have several disadvantages. The metallic coating is applied by vaporisation and is subsequently coated with a lacquer or varnish. The purpose of this coating is to protect the metal from being abraded. For instance, by a process such as imprinting or embossing and folding the metallic coating, if exposed, would flake or peel off leading to metal particles being deposited on the machines used in the manufacturing process. As a result, the machines could become damaged and the production efficiency could be affected.
The coating of lacquer or varnish has the further positive effect of reducing the friction between the surfaces of paper and machinery, and between superposed sheets of papers. This effect is to be attributed to the chemicals such as waxes and starches in the lacquer or varnish.
The application of such lacquer or varnish coating however represents an additional manufacturing step, implying additional costs in raw materials and processing time. A method of this kind is known from DE-C-4412019.
The object of the invention is to provide such method which does not have these disadvantages. This object is achieved through a method for manufacturing a metallized paper material, comprising the steps of:
-providing a piece of paper material having a wax or lubricant,
-coating one side of a piece of paper material with a metal, -contacting one of the sides of said piece of paper material with the other side of another piece of paper material of the same type, or with the other side of another part of the same piece of paper material, -keeping said faces in contact with each other so as to form a slip layer by migration of the wax or lubricant coating onto the metal coating,
-separating the pieces or parts of paper material from each other. The wax or lubricant may be brought into the piece of paper material during the process of manufacturing said material.
A preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, wherein the piece of paper material is a paper web, comprises the step of reeling the web onto a reel after coating said web with a metal layer, such that the one side of each winding of the web is in contact with the other side of a next winding.
This method ensures that in a simple and reliable way, a continuous, coherent slip layer may be formed on the aluminium coating. The wax or lubricant migrates from the piece of paper material towards and onto the adjoining metal coating of the next winding. Thus, in no part of the metal coating friction forces will develop which would be so high that thereby flaking of the metal coating is generated.
Good results are obtained in case the contacting sides of the paper material are kept in contact for at least 2 hours. Preferably, the relative humidity is less than 552-
The method according to the invention can be carried out with several waxes, including low molecular weight paraffins, polyethylene waxes, polypropylene waxes modified with maleic anhydride, ester and acid waxes, amide waxes, natural waxes, fatty acids, their esters and alcohols, and sulphonate waxes. The fatty acid esters may include short or long chain monovalent alcohols, glycol fatty acid esters, glycerine fatty acid esters and crystalline micro waxes of polyethylene. The step of coating the metal layer may include vacuum precipitation, cathodic spraying, vapour phase plating, current free plating, electro plating, vaporisation or absorption. The metal coating comprises gold, silver, copper, aluminium or mixtures thereof. Reference is made to the aluminium foil laminate as known from US-A-335 3^8, which comprises a paper substrate coated with wax blends. The aluminium layer is protected here by a shellac or a nitrocellulose wash coat. This coat should protect the aluminium against possible transfer of the wax blends from the paper onto the aluminium layer, once the sheet in question is stored in rolls.
According to the invention, this transfer process however is usefully applied for the formation of a slip layer onto the metallic surface.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website metallized paper supplier.