Method for producing highly reflective metal surfaces

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:864496

Arnold, Jones B ^[1]; Steger, Philip J ^[2]; Wright, Ralph R ^[2]

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1. Knoxville, TN
2. Oak Ridge, TN

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 diamond-machining 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.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4374002
• OSTI ID: 864496
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
producing
highly
reflective
metal
surfaces
novel
mirror
extremely
smooth
optical
reflectivity
electrolessly
depositing
amorphous
layer
nickel
article
diamond-machining
resulting
surface
increase
smoothness
machined
passivated
respect
formation
bonds
electrodeposited
form
electroplated
inside
replica
separated
mandrel
re-passivated
provided
recovered
providing
re-used
provide
replicas
compared
mirror-finished
plating
faster
expensive
mirror surfaces
reflective metal
highly reflective
metal surface
inside surface
metal surfaces
novel method
mirror surface
producing highly
optical reflectivity
nickel layer
extremely smooth
amorphous layer
deposited nickel
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