Non-metallic article and a method for making the same

Abstract

A non-metallic article includes a non-metallic substrate, a base coating, a metallic decorative coating, and a light-transmitting protective coating. The base coating includes a prime layer applied on the non-metallic substrate. The metallic decorative coating is deposited on the base coating, and includes a multi-color layer having a multi-color appearance. The multi-color layer is made of a cermet material produced by sputtering from a metal target using a gas mixture containing oxygen, nitrogen and hydrocarbon. The light-transmitting protective coating is applied on the metallic decorative coating.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic sectional view of the preferred embodiment of a non-metallic article according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the preferred embodiment of a method for making a non-metallic article according to this invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective partly sectional view of a vacuum magnetron sputtering system used for performing the method of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the vacuum magnetron sputtering system performing a step of depositing a light reflective metallic layer; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the vacuum magnetron sputtering system performing a step of depositing a multi-color layer.

Claims

1. A non-metallic article, comprising: a non-metallic substrate;a base coating including a prime layer applied on said non-metallic substrate;a metallic decorative coating deposited on said base coating, and including a multi-color layer having a multi-color appearance, said multi-color layer being made of a cermet material produced by sputtering from a metal target using a gas mixture containing oxygen, nitrogen and hydrocarbon; anda light-transmitting protective coating applied on said metallic decorative coating.

2. The non-metallic article as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of methane and acetylene.

3. The non-metallic article as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base coating further includes a varnish base layer applied between said prime layer and said multi-color layer.

4. The non-metallic article as claimed in claim 3, wherein said metallic decorative coating further includes a light reflective metallic layer disposed between said varnish base layer and said multi-color layer.

5. The non-metallic article as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metal target is made of a metallic material selected from the group consisting of titanium, chromium, iron, nickel, zirconium, and aluminum.

6. The non-metallic article as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multi-color layer has a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 1 μm.

7. The non-metallic article as claimed in claim 1, wherein said non-metallic substrate is made of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber and plastic.

8. A method for making a non-metallic article, comprising the steps of: a) applying a prime layer on a non-metallic substrate;b) depositing a multi-color layer on the prime layer by vacuum magnetron sputtering, the multi-color layer having a multi-color appearance and being made of a cermet material produced by sputtering from a metal target using a gas mixture containing oxygen, nitrogen and hydrocarbon; andc) applying a light-transmitting protective coating on the multi-color layer.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a step of applying a varnish base layer on the prime layer prior to step b).

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a step of depositing a light reflective metallic layer on the varnish base layer by vacuum magnetron sputtering prior to step b).

11. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the vacuum magnetron sputtering is conducted at a temperature below 150° C.