How are mirror plastics used in advertising?
More recently, a classic glass mirror was used to decorate offices, apartments, and retail spaces. However, a traditional mirror is technically difficult to process, quite fragile and dangerous. It's easy to cut yourself on the edges, and if you break a mirror, you'll get thousands of sharp pieces. Installation is also labor-intensive - the material is heavy, so it requires the installation of fasteners and careful calculations of strength.
A plastic mirror replaces ordinary glass
But chemical technologies have already made great strides forward - the usual mirror has been replaced by reflective coatings based on polymers, films, and composite materials. We will talk about them in our review, we will try to reveal their advantages and disadvantages.
What are the advantages of mirror plastics compared to ordinary classic reflective glasses?
- Safety - in case of damage, no sharp fragments are formed, and the material itself is difficult to damage;
- High impact resistance - several times higher than that of a conventional mirror;
- Ease of machining, easier to cut, drill and saw;
- Light weight – large areas can be glazed when, due to the gravity of quartz glass, the supporting structure may not be able to withstand the load;
- More flexible, can be attached to uneven surfaces, and the sheet itself can be bent;
- They almost do not fog up - this property is especially useful for bathrooms, saunas, swimming pools, and spa salons.
Despite all the benefits, alternative mirror plastics have several disadvantages:
- The reflection quality may be worse than that of a regular mirror;
- Polymers are flammable, and when heated they can deform and change color;
- Instability to damage - the surface may be soft and scratched.
Mirror coating on glass
There are many interesting solutions in the world of glass technology, some of which not everyone has even thought about, although they can open up completely new perspectives for us. For example, “one-way” mirrors are by no means a plot from an exciting movie about spies, but an embodied reality, the essence of which is as follows. While outside the room, you can observe who remains inside in such a way that the inhabitants of the room cannot see what is happening outside, and in the mirror they only have access to their own reflection, the brightness of which exceeds the darkened opposite side. That is, on the one hand, where pollination was applied, the glass becomes mirror-like, and on the other, it remains transparent. What horizons are opening up!
To do this, you need a high-quality mirror coating on the glass. This technology is used not so much for espionage purposes, but to create protection for certain objects from outside surveillance. Mirror glass is often used for the production of building facades, interior partitions, glass doors, shop windows and other architectural and interior elements.
To apply a mirror coating to glass, our craftsmen comply with all technological requirements. To do this, a thin reflective coating is applied to one side to transmit light. Or, as a simpler and more affordable option, a mirror film is carefully glued onto the finished copy. In both cases, a one-way mirror is obtained, but still, for better quality and effect, spraying is recommended, which can be done either by pyrolytic method during the manufacturing process of the product, or, if the copy is already ready, then by vacuum method.
The last (vacuum magnetron) type of sputtering is considered the most preventive, since it has a number of advantages:
— Excellent reflective effect;
— Good heat reflection parameters;
— The ability to regulate light transmission and light reflection due to the thickness of the applied metal layer;
— Possibility of processing glass with various characteristics at an affordable cost.
Mirror coating on glass to order is carried out in our workshop using modern equipment with a guarantee of the quality of the final result. Before work, the surface of the glass sheet must be fully prepared, since not only the texture and surface features of the material, but also strict adherence to technology determine the main effect obtained from the applied spraying.
Aluminum Composite Panels with Mirror Finish
Aluminum composite panels are used where there are no special requirements for the quality of the reflective surface, but it is necessary to cover a large area, or flexibility, strength, and rigidity of the structure are required.
Application of aluminum composite panels with mirror surface in advertising
Mirror panels - for interior design: for cladding walls or ceilings. Composite panels are the main material for outdoor advertising, design of exhibition stands, counters, and entrance areas. Entire advertising structures can be created from the panels in combination with other mirror plastics; they bend at right angles and hold their shape well. The composite is resistant to high and low temperatures and is often used for outdoor advertising and promotion products.
Aluminum composite panels with a mirror-like surface can imitate gold, silver and gloss, or have a matte or “scratched” surface. Such surfaces do not provide a deep mirror reflection, but outwardly increase the space, and in addition to providing an interesting expressive effect, they are also insensitive to fingerprints and scratches. The Aluminstroy catalog of advertising materials contains mirrored composite panels.
Pros:
- durable,
- flexible,
- frost- and heat-resistant,
- easy to machine
Cons: low quality mirror surface
Features of mirror coating
The installation of reflective panels has its own characteristics. There are three basic rules that must be followed when using reflective surfaces in the interior:
- Light wall decoration and mirror tiles located on the wall opposite the window will visually enlarge the room.
- If the room is spacious, then the tiles can be framed - this will make the room seem smaller.
- A reflective surface is created where it will not visually create the impression of the presence of an outsider. The ideal location for the panel would be on the wall where the doorway is located, or behind the sofa.
Using mirror panels is an excellent design solution for adjusting space. In addition to functional qualities, such panels also have pleasant aesthetic properties. When deciding to use such a panel in your home, you just need to familiarize yourself with the tips and recommendations for choosing material and installation.
Acrylic mirror
Mirror acrylic, reflective plexiglass, is made by analogy with its prototype - glass, when a layer of amalgam is applied to the surface of transparent plastic. However, the resulting material has a number of mechanical and technological advantages and properties compared to a classic mirror: the weight is 2-3 times less than that of ordinary glass, and the impact resistance of the acrylic surface is almost 10 times higher. The convenience of mechanical processing of plexiglass, when the material is easily cut by laser and milled, is an important technological property.
The photo shows a product made of mirrored acrylic glass
It is difficult to break acrylic canvas, and the fragments do not have sharp edges and will not cause harm, so it can be installed in preschool and secondary education institutions.
However, acrylic mirror, like any other material, has disadvantages, for example: sensitivity to surface damage and the possible appearance of microcracks. The manufacturer monitors this and usually covers the surface of the canvas with a protective layer. Plexiglas can burn (ignition temperature is 260°C), but when burned it is not dangerous, because does not emit toxic substances.
The main areas of application of this material in advertising: design of expositions, exhibitions, shop windows and points of sale. This material is often used to make three-dimensional mirror letters and logos. Acrylic can be used to make decorations of the most intricate shapes. They can be mounted on thin partitions without worrying about whether the structure will support the weight of a large mirror. Aluminstroy sells acrylic brand Plexiglas XT Mirror
Pros:
- most transparent compared to other materials,
- not afraid of moisture,
- easy to process,
- a light weight,
- ease of installation
Minuses:
- vulnerability to surface damage,
- high price
Impact-resistant mirror polystyrene
Sheet impact-resistant polystyrene is another common polymer mirror plastic. Because polystyrene does not have sufficient transparency, reflective metal foil is applied to the front side of the polystyrene sheet and covered with a laminating protective film. Polystyrene panels have high impact resistance, low sensitivity to cuts and other mechanical damage to the outer surface. Due to the protective film they have increased resistance to aggressive chemicals. Cleaning is carried out without industrial chemicals.
The photograph shows examples of the use of mirror impact-resistant polystyrene
Polystyrene with a reflective effect is used in advertising for the design of interior signs, advertising and information structures. Due to the small thickness of the sheet and good flexibility, polystyrene can be bent and used for finishing surfaces with curvature.
Often mirrored polystyrene is used where glass cannot be used for safety reasons, for example, in kindergartens and when glazing large areas. To prevent delamination, the ends of the sheets must be protected from water. Therefore, we do not recommend using it for outdoor work. In the catalog of promotional materials you can buy mirror polystyrene from the manufacturer Metzoplast.
Pros:
- durable,
- flexible,
- low sensitivity to surface damage,
- frost-resistant
Minuses:
- flammability,
- must be protected from moisture
Self-adhesive mirror films
Self-adhesive film is a soft and elastic material made of polychrome vinyl; on the front side it has a metallized coating with a mirror effect; on the reverse side there is an adhesive layer based on polyacrylate.
Self-adhesive film - one of the types of mirror plastic
The main purpose of self-adhesive film is to create a mirror effect at low cost. The film is unlikely to be suitable as a replacement for a traditional mirror, because Even when glued to a flat surface, bubbles and micro-dents may appear, which will lead to distortion of the image.
Decorative self-adhesive film is a material for advertisers. It is cut with ordinary scissors or a stationery knife, although advertising agencies use a cutting plotter for this. You can glue it to an uneven surface: wood, metal, plastic, glass. Orafol films are suitable for offset, screen and laser printing. In addition, it is safe and non-toxic.
The disadvantage of vinyl films is that at temperatures of -15C they become brittle and brittle. This limits outdoor gluing, but does not prevent the use of self-adhesive films indoors.
In the catalog of advertising materials from Aluminstroy, buy ORACAL 352 metallized film with a mirror effect
Pros:
- acceptable price
- you can paste over any surface
Minuses:
- reflection distortion,
- won't last very long outdoors
Types of ceilings
As a material, many perceive the mirror too unambiguously. At the same time, the classification of this finish is very, very extensive. And we should start talking about it directly from the reflective materials themselves. So these could be:
- classic mirrors on glass;
- polystyrene or organic glass with glued mirror film;
- suspended ceiling with a mirror effect;
- aluminum sheets;
- mirror PVC film.
If we take the design of the ceiling as a basis, it can be solid, panel, or tiled. A stretch ceiling is continuous and has no joints. The panel structure is made up of rectangular fragments that are quite large in size. Tiled ceilings are also called cassette ceilings.
If we focus on the method of fastening the structure, then the ceilings can be hemmed, suspended, or suspended. The first type of material is attached by sewing to the ceiling, which has an adhesive base. For the suspended structure, a special frame is used, mounted just below the main level. For tension structures, a special fabric is used, which is stretched between walls or inside other multi-level structures. But it’s worth talking in more detail about some designs of mirrored ceilings.
Comparison of prices for mirror plastics
| Material | Price, rub./m2 |
| Glass mirror, 4 mm | 500-700 |
| Aluminum composite panels, mirror surface 3(0.3) | 1250 |
| Acrylic mirror | 2500 |
| Impact-resistant mirror polystyrene | 1200 |
| Self-adhesive film ORACAL 352 | 400 |
The table shows that a classic mirror made of silicate glass is cheaper than alternative mirror plastics. But if safety, ease of processing, light weight, and impact resistance are important, then you cannot do without modern polymer materials.
Metallization of plastic. Mirror application
Home / Services / Plastic metallization. Mirror application
"TSK Empire" provides the service of applying thin-film coatings - a young, developing area of the production process. Application is carried out on such materials as: polycarbonate, plexiglass, polystyrene, polycarbonate film, etc. The choice of base material depends on the operational requirements for the final product and the conditions for its placement.
Metallization of plastic is the application of a metal layer to the surface to impart other properties (physical, mechanical, chemical) to the material.
The metallized layer applied to a plastic product can have not only a different structure, but also different decorative characteristics, also in order to extend its service life. It is also important that products for the manufacture of which metallized plastic was used weigh significantly less than similar parts made of pure metal. The type of coating is selected depending on the requirements for the functions of the product and the environment in which it will operate. The thickness of the coating and the choice of metal for the metallization coating are determined by the operating conditions and depend on the aggressiveness of the environment and the required service life of the protected product.
In our work we use the highest quality materials. During the metallization process, a thin film coating is created on the surface of the product. This is achieved by deposition of atoms or molecules of the sprayed substance.
You can order a plastic metallization service by phone +7.
A highly reflective coating can also be applied.
Mirror application
Mirror plastic is a type of sheet and roll polymers with a special reflective coating.
Mirror plastics, due to their good optical properties, are gradually replacing ordinary silicate glass with a mirror coating in such areas as design, architecture, medicine, road signs and scientific instruments.
Mirror sheets are resistant to breaking, have excellent reflectivity, and are approximately two times lighter than glass. They can be processed in various ways. The working surface is suitable for applying self-adhesive films and decorating.
Application colors:
– silver (chrome)
- gold
- rodiant (chameleon)
The special look "Spy Mirror" is a special silver mirror with a thin coating on one side of an acrylic sheet. It is necessary to use a spy mirror in a dark room for observation on one side of the mirror, and on the other side there is a light room with the observed object. Spy mirror is often used for observation, but also suitable for art and scientific objects, lighting fixtures. Spy mirror sheets are not suitable for use outdoors or in wet conditions.
Standard size 1000*1500 mm.
Application to order on any shapes and sizes with special properties.
Our technical assistance is a valuable resource for companies looking to benefit from these advanced process technologies.
You can buy ready-made products in our online store.
You can order application by phone +7 (495) 646-81-65.
Buy mirror plastic
The Aluminstroy company offers a wide range of advertising materials, including plastic with a reflective mirror surface. You can buy materials for advertising production in Moscow or regional branches open in 15 major cities of Russia. We will be glad to see you as regular customers!
Do you have any questions? Ask them to the Aluminstroy manager. He will call you back at the time you specify and answer your question, clarify information and accept your order for advertising materials. “Mirror plastics” may be a subject for a call from a specialist.
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