Plastics find applications in every part of our life, often they need to be surface engineered to meet a particular need. This presentation will cover three case studies of how coatings can impart useful properties to plastics. Firstly a “regenerative” coating, deposited via plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD), this coating produces a non-stick surface, that after damage can self-heal. Secondly, a robust multi-layer coating for automotive use, aimed at replacing electroplated plastic. Finally, a decorative metallic coating that allows hidden till lit features, which is suitable for decorative applications in cars and homes.

The choice of material, coating structure and deposition method are all critical steps required to develop coating systems for practical applications. The various approaches used in the three case studies will be discussed.