Crediti: Legor
In fashion accessory design, metal plays a central role in communicating the value of the object. At this moment in history, with the price of gold skyrocketing, technical precautions are necessary when it comes to finishes, allowing for a luxury effect while containing costs, without compromising quality and durability.
This is where cataphoretic coatings come into play, which exploit the physical principle of cataphoresis to deposit the paint. “Unlike traditional painting, with this process the coating is formed evenly, even in areas where spraying or immersion does not reach regularly: cavities, edges, internal geometries,” explains Fulvio Sinisi, R&D & Technical Manager of the Plating division of Legor, a leading manufacturer of metal alloys and galvanic solutions for the jewelry and fashion world. “The thickness ranges from five to fifty microns, which is enough to create a functional barrier without altering the proportions of the piece, which is very important, especially when it comes to accessories such as clasps and chains.”
The process requires attention: water purity is essential, and after deposition, the object must be placed in an oven, where heat allows the polymer to cross-link and stabilize the surface. Although conceptually simple to apply, the process requires greater sensitivity than normal galvanic deposition, as evidenced by the statistically higher percentage of waste. However, the economic advantage is truly significant: with one kilogram of resin, it is possible to coat a surface of several hundred square meters with a thickness of one micron, at a very low cost. Not only that, but the resin can be pigmented, allowing for unique colors that cannot be achieved with deposited metals alone.
Aesthetically speaking, the metal touch is lost somewhat, but it is a minimal difference. What is important, however, is that the design department takes into account the fact that resin modifies light reflection and introduces a slight variation in color perception: a detail that must be considered in the early stages of design, especially when defining colors.
And be very careful when choosing the formulation: “Resins such as CERAMIX and EASYCOATPRO have been developed to meet the standards required by fashion accessories in terms of adhesion, resistance, and uniformity, to guarantee a result at all levels that is on par with what would be obtained with the deposition of a thick layer of precious metal.”
