FR2578863A1 - Process for metallising fabrics by plating and fabrics obtained by this process - Google Patents

Abstract

A technique for plating metal foils onto sheets. A fixer consisting of an acrylic emulsion with residual tack is spread over a fabric according to a desired pattern and then a metal foil with a thickness of between 0.1 and 20 microns is laid on top. The surplus metal is then removed by brushing. Printing techniques are used to distribute the acrylic emulsion.

Description

 The present invention relates to a method of metallization of tissues.

 The addition of m ^ taus to the fabric is currently done traditionally during weaving. They are first transformed by drawing either into cylindrical wires or "lines", or after rolling into "blades".

These metallic threads are woven or broached to obtain lamés, shaped broaches or ribbons; or else transformed into gimped threads or twisted for lace.

 The metallic appearance can also be obtained by printing inks. These inks applied to a fabric determine patterns.

The final aspect is never equivalent to that of metal. The shine is duller.

 The present invention uses the metal in the form of sheets of between 0.1 microns (one ten thousandth of a millimeter) and 20 microns (twenty thousandths of a millimeter). which are applied to previously manufactured fabrics.

The fixing of these sheets on certain areas determines the desired pattern.

It is done using acrylic emulsions with residual pitch. The distribution of the fixer on the fabric is done according to printing techniques. The metal sheets are then deposited and then pressed onto the fabric. Any surplus not attached to the latter is removed by brushing. The destination fabric can have any weave, the metallic fabric being hung on its surface.

 The process of the present invention has the following advantages: it is simple to carry out since it uses the methods of printing to metallize fabrics. Compared to inclusion by weaving it is economical and very flexible to use; the fabric also keeps all its lightness and all its mechanical qualities. A "lamé" is heavy and rigid.

 Compared to printing with inks, the motif of the present invention retains all the shine of the metal, unlike the dull appearance of fabrics printed with ink. This metal sheet can even be chemically treated after application to obtain, for example, a patina appearance.

 The present invention therefore retains the qualities of the two traditional methods for obtaining the metallic appearance on a fabric. It is simpler to use than weaving and retains all of its physical qualities without tarnishing it or making it more rigid. It keeps all the shine of the metal and the possibility of working the metal even after printing contrary to what happens when using ink to be printed.

 The use of acrylic emulsions compared to other fixers has the following advantages: The emulsions do not penetrate the fabric at all, so the limits of the fixing are clear and sharp and the pattern is exactly reproduced.

 The emulsions are washable with water which facilitates their use.

 The drying time before applying the metal sheets is very short or even zero.

 The fixation is immediate.

 When using emulsions with a sticky residue after a very short drying time, the fixing can be done on the other hand long after, or even several days after.

 The fixing for emulsions with residual pitch is very good, the elimination of the metal is done by the wear of the metallic sheet and not by tearing off the latter.

 Cleaning should be done with soapy water, solvents should be avoided.

 The following example is given as an indication but not limiting to illustrate the invention.

 We are going to create a pattern on silk velvet with aluminum sheets of thickness I micron. For this we will first prepare a screen-printing frame. On a wooden frame, a polyester monofilament fabric of 77 mesh per centimeter is stretched with tension clips and then stapled on it.

 The stencil is prepared by cutting a film called "cellulosic cutting film": the film is deposited on the original drawing. Using a stylus with a pivoting blade, the colored film is started without damaging the translucent support. The cut parts which correspond to the surfaces to be printed are eliminated and the film is fixed on the stretched fabric on the frame, on the external face of the latter using the appropriate solvent. This gives the stencil or "screen" with screen printing.

 The piece of velvet is stretched and stapled on a wooden panel covered with a thin blanket. We apply the screen to the velvet.

Is deposited along one of the coats of the frame a line of acrylic emulsion with residual pitch. It is then passed through the miles of polyester fabric with a squeegee with a rubber edge.

The screen is removed and immediately rinsed with water. After about 10 minutes when the acrylic pepper has lost its whitish appearance to become shiny, the aluminum sheets with a thickness of
I micron are deposited in a single layer on the pattern and then pressed using a soft tissue pad. After 5 minutes, the excess loose leaf is removed by brushing with a soft brush such as a shoe polishing brush.

 Only the zones where the emulsions have been deposited fix the metal which thus determine the pattern.

Better fixing of metal is obtained by passing
iron heated to 60 C on the leaves deposited on the velvet after putting
between said sheets and the iron, a cotton fabric to facilitate the sliding of the
iron without disturbing the leaves. We cited in our example the use of
aluminuim sheets but other metals can be used: copper, silver, gold.

Claims (1)

 method of applying a metallic layer to a fabric to create a pattern, characterized in this tool consists in depositing on a face of fabric stretched to metallize a layer of fixative according to the pattern to be created, then applying on this face of the fabric a metallic foil, pressing the fabric coated with the metallic foil and then brushing off the excess metallic foil not attached to the fabric with glue.  9Process according to claim 1 characterized in that lesditè sheets have a thickness between O, I and 20 microns.  9 Method according to claim I characterized in that the fixative is an acrylic emulsion.  i Method according to claim 3 characterized in that this acrylic emulsion retains a residual tackiness.  2 Method according to claim I characterized in that the fixative is applied through a screen printing stencil.  2 Method according to claim 4 characterized in that, once the surface is coated with the acrylic fixing agent with residual pepper, this surface is left in the open air for approximately 10 minutes until the pepper has lost its whitish appearance and has become shiny, and in that then, the metal foil is applied and pressed against this coated surface.  } The method of claim I characterized in that a surface heated to about 60 "C is applied to the metal sheet deposited on the coated fabric.  y Method according to claim I characterized in that the mete is of the type; aluminuim, gold, silver, copper.  / Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal sheet once deposited on the fabric can undergo a chemical treatment intended to modify its appearance.  IdTissu covered by a metal sheet characterized in that it is obtained by the process according to any one of the preceding claims.