Mirror with epoxy paint layer having good resistance to handling

Abstract

Mirrors having a glass substrate, a silver coating layer on a surface of the glass substrate and an exposed epoxy paint layer overlaying the silver coating layer. The mirrors show a scratch resistance determined by the Clemen test showing scratches of less than 10 μm when applying a weight of 1500 g; a hardness determined by the Persoz pendulum of at least 250 s; and a commercially acceptable resistance to at least three glues amongst oxime, alcoxy, MS polymer and rubber.

1 . A process for manufacturing a mirror with no copper layer, comprising:
 sensitizing a glass substrate by contacting said glass substrate with a solution comprising tin ions to sensitize said glass substrate;   activating said glass substrate by contacting said glass substrate with a solution comprising ions of at least one material selected from the group consisting of bismuth, chromium, gold, indium, nickel, palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, titanium, vanadium, tin, and zinc;   upon said sensitizing and said activating, silvering said substrate by contacting said glass substrate with a silvering solution to form a silvered substrate having a silver layer; and   applying at least one epoxy paint layer over the silvered substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein said applying occurs by curtain coating a liquid epoxy paint having a solvent content in the range of 10% to 20% by weight on said silver substrate. 
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein said activating occurs by contacting said glass substrate with a solution comprising ions of palladium. 
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising contacting said silvered substrate with a solution comprising a tin salt. 
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein said sensitizing occurs prior to said activating and said activating occurs prior to said silvering. 
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising washing said substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising drying said silvered substrate prior to said applying. 
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein the liquid epoxy paint has a solvent content of from 13 to 17% by weight. 
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein the liquid epoxy paint has a solvent content of about 15% by weight. 
     
     
         10 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein the liquid epoxy paint is substantially lead-free. 
     
     
         11 . The process according to  claim 10 , wherein lead is present in the liquid epoxy paint in an amount of less than 500 mg/m 2 . 
     
     
         12 . The process according to  claim 10 , wherein lead is present in the liquid epoxy paint in an amount of less than 400 mg/m 2 . 
     
     
         13 . The process according to  claim 10 , wherein lead is present in the liquid epoxy paint in an amount of less than 300 mg/m 2 . 
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein silver is present in said silver layer in an amount of from 700 to 900 mg/m 2 . 
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein silver is present in said silver layer in an amount of from 800 to 850 mg/m 2 . 
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one epoxy paint layer has a thickness of from 25 to 55 μm. 
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one epoxy paint layer has a thickness of from 35 to 45 μm. 
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one epoxy paint layer has a thickness of from 35 to 40 μm. 
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein said silver layer has a thickness of from 60 to 110 nm. 
     
     
         20 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein said silver layer has a thickness of from 70 to 100 nm.