Preparation and Innovative Design Applications of Paper-Based Aluminized Film

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable and innovative materials in product design has spurred interest in unconventional resources. Despite this, a gap persists in the effective utilization of paper-based materials, particularly with metallic coatings, for creative applications. This study aims to address this by exploring the technical methods for applying Aluminum (Al) coatings to paper substrates. We developed paper-based aluminum coatings and combined them with corrugated cardboard to create a novel material for product development. Utilizing high-strength specialty paper as the substrate, an orthogonal experiment was conducted to identify key process parameters. Factors such as target–substrate distance, working pressure, current intensity, and coating duration were evaluated for their impact on the properties of the Al film. Our research culminated in the production of high-quality Al-plated corrugated cardboard. Capitalizing on its unique attributes, we employed a design approach that led to the creation of innovative furniture featuring structural forms like folding and insertion. This study not only introduces a new range of Al-plated corrugated cardboard products but also expands the potential applications of paper-based aluminized film in material-based product design.