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Tuesday, 15th April 2008 (4096 views)

A new plating service that users "laser gold" to coat copper foil for use by high-speed racing cars has been unveiled by electroplating company Epner Technology.

Laser gold is a pure form of the precious metal is applied electrochemically to reflect infrared light. It is used for a number of scientific and military applications, such as coating satellite parts.

Now it is being used to coat 0.025mm-thick copper foil to provide protection from the "blistering heat" generate by the engines of racing cars.

As weight is crucial in racing vehicles, Epner has also developed the coating to weigh less than half the weight of the copper it covers.

The company says the gold offers reflectivity and stability that makes it the "ultimate thermal control barrier", adding that the material can also be cleaned without being damaged.

Epner Technology was originally founded in 1910 to plate and repair jewellery. It now specialises in electroplating technology, providing products to the aerospace, defence, medical and semiconductor industries.

 

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