IP Plating Process for Titanium Eyewear

Titanium eyewear, which includes both titanium optical glasses and Titanium Sunglasses, is one of the most common types of eyewear. The titanium material is particularly lightweight and elastic, making it ideal for eyewear, especially for those that need to be worn for long periods, such as optical glasses. Its lightness ensures comfort during extended wear. However, after processes like welding and polishing, the original color of titanium is typically a silver-white shade. Only through plating can it achieve the various colors we commonly see in titanium eyewear. This article discusses the IP plating of titanium eyewear.

Titanium frames primarily achieve their surface effects through IP plating, also known as IP vacuum ion plating. Let’s explore the principles, advantages, disadvantages, and suitable types of eyewear for IP plating.

1.Principle of IP Plating: High temperatures cause the surface of the frame to generate negative ions, which then free-float in a vacuum furnace. These ions combine with pigment particles, and through the guidance of electrical currents, they adhere to the frame's surface to form a plating layer. IP plating is exceptionally durable and completely safe for the skin, eliminating the need for an additional layer of transparent protective resin. This is one key difference from conventional water plating. 

• • • Strong adhesion, ensuring long-lasting color retention.
    • Environmentally friendly and completely safe for the skin.

• • • Colors tend to be relatively dark and limited in variety, with average glossiness compared to water plating (though this difference is not overly pronounced).
    • Higher cost compared to water plating and spraying. There are generally two types of IP plating:
      1. One involves applying a base layer of IP plating to the frame, followed by water plating or spraying with color, which is a cheaper option (the cost for the IP base layer is typically around 3.5 CNY).
      2. The other method involves directly achieving the desired color through IP plating (such as black, gold, or gunmetal), which is more expensive, usually costing at least 11 to 15 CNY or more.

3.Color Representation of Titanium Eyewear with IP Plating: The color effects of IP plating are similar to those of water-plated metal eyewear, including glossy, matte, bright sand finishes, and dual-tone options. For more details, you can refer to articles on the electroplating processes for metal eyewear.

IP plating is mainly applied to titanium frames, including pure titanium eyewear and B titanium eyewear, as well as Titanium Glasses made from a combination of pure titanium and B titanium materials. Some metal components of other metal or acetate frames can also undergo IP plating, but due to the lower cost of standard metal eyewear frames, IP plating is less commonly used in those cases.