Typical Process Times, Rates, and Quantities

Depending on the length of the film reel, modem machines need between 30 min and 2 h per reel to complete these steps. Process rates depend on the method of metallization (e.g. sputtering or thermal evaporation) and the substrate, and also on the desired metal film thickness and, last but not least, the required quality. Typical process rates for metallization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film are given in Table 8.1. 

The quantities produced per metallization cycle depend on the type of substrate, e.g. polymer film type, paper, or nonwoven, its thickness, and the width and length of the reel. Table 8.2 provides a few typical examples  

Method/metal Substrate Layer thickness of metallization (nm) Application/ requirements Process speed 

Method/metal Substrate type/ thickness/ reel width/reel length Layer thickness of metallization (nm) Application/ requirements Quantity per cycle (time) 

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