Method for producing highly reflective metal surfaces

Patent · Tue Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6350278

Arnold, J B; Steger, P J; Wright, R R

The invention is a novel method for producing mirror surfaces which are extremely smooth and which have high optical reflectivity. The method includes electrolessly depositing an amorphous layer of nickel on an article and then diamondmachining the resulting nickel surface to increase its smoothness and reflectivity. The machined nickel surface then is passivated with respect to the formation of bonds with electrodeposited nickel. Nickel then is electrodeposited on the passivated surface to form a layer of electroplated nickel whose inside surface is a replica of the passivated surface. The electroplated nickel layer then is separated from the passivated surface. The mandrel then may be re-passivated and provided with a layer of electrodeposited nickel, which is then recovered from the mandrel providing a second replica. The mandrel can be so re-used to provide many such replicas. As compared with producing each mirror-finished article by plating and diamond-machining, the new method is faster and less expensive.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4374002
• OSTI ID: 6350278
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360101* -- Metals & Alloys-- Preparation & Fabrication
360104 -- Metals & Alloys-- Physical Properties
DEPOSITION
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTROLYSIS
ELEMENTS
LYSIS
MACHINING
METALS
MIRRORS
NICKEL
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PASSIVATION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PRODUCTION
REFLECTIVITY
REPLICAS
ROUGHNESS
SURFACE COATING
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS