Identify this material?

[Konrad]

The character Shinzon from the Star Trek: Nemesis movie wears a costume which looks like some kind of metal/plastic armor. It's sort of a blue-black colour and iridescent, but seems to show an unusual range of rainbow tones when he moves through different lighting conditions. Sometimes it almost appears reflective (like a traffic sign). For all I know, it's just cheap blue plastic given a sheen of oil.

But I'd like to duplicate this appearance on metal sheets. Could Shinzon's iridescent effect be easily duplicated on flat sheet instead of curved surfaces? Can anodizing produce these sorts of iridescent effects? Do adhesive vinyls exist in this particular blue-black-iridescent-reflector colour? Are there any exotic tricks with layering, mixing, or blowtorching paints to mimic this effect? Is it a pearlescent thing, translucent, what?

The guys at the shop only know basic surfacing techniques, and this is apparently something more akin to professional automotive painting.

[msmrx57]

From a quick look at screen shot I'd say the costume is just shiny black vinyl and the color shift/iridescent effect is done with lighting. http://www.startrek.com/legacy_media/images/200307/gal-mov-x-12/320x240.jpg in this shot you can see some red and green in the background. That being said I know they make some vinyls for sign making that have some pretty awesome color shift and iridescence. I've been out of the sign business for 11 years and can only imagine that they've gotten better in that time. I'd suggest talking to a sign company and see what they could do. Either that or paint could work as well. A black base with multiple layers or clear with iridescent pearls.

[f8l_0e]

I'm thinking it is some kind of vinyl with metallic flakes inside or has prismatic qualities in the plastic.

http://www.alsacorp.com/products/fabrics/chameleon-leather/chamleath_show5.htm

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-x9-PURPLE-TEAL-CHAMELEON-Vinyl-Wrap-w-Air-Bubble-Release-Sticker-Decal-/251096658124

You could also use DupliColor's chameleon spray paint. It is a two part process, chameleon base coat, and clear coat.

[Konrad]

That purple teal chameleon looks very close, and gave me a colour name to work with, thanx. 8)

I'm kinda aiming for the edge/tip colours seen here (http://www.etsy.com/listing/102510770/hemlock-leaf-earrings-iridescent-indigo).

Although this page (http://www.spiderchain.com/kits/projects/kit1.thtml) and this page (http://www.aussiemaille.com/anodized-niobium-coiled-toggle-rainbow.html) provide results from anodizing Niobium (which I can obtain in various sheet gauges). I think this is the way to go, because vinyl will not resist wear and tear ... I just gotta figure out which anodizing process they used. I can't afford to experiment on too many batches of Niobium to tune the colour.

[blueonblack]

You sir have been sigquoted. Thanks.


I can't afford to experiment on too many batches of Niobium to tune the colour.

[TLHarrell]

Niobium colors are based on voltage and time on the anodizing process.

For paint effects, there are many powdered pigments available for the irridescent effect. Shoot a gloss black, dust on the pigments (literally just like figerprinting, you don't want any visible dust residue), then shoot with clear.

[Konrad]

I seek a durable "thick" surfacing which probably needs to endure a lot of scuffing at a ski resort. Do longer anodizing baths allow the dyes to penetrate deeper, and do they tend to make the colour darker?

I have only a little practical experience with anodizing and electroplating, usually somebody else handles those sorts of tasks while I focus on electronic issues.

[TLHarrell]

For aluminum, you can specify "hard coat", which is a thicker anodizing. It costs more to do, obviously, but is much more resistant to wear. It won't be irridescent though.

What is this application for, and why does it need to be so decorative?

[Konrad]

It's basically the utility boxes and various conduit/raceway runs in gondolas, disguised a bit to look like unimportant things. Specifications for appearance were very specific, metal fixtures are required by code, and damage-resistant surfacing seems like a good idea because the usual cargo is large groups of impatient snowboarders. The client is paying premiums to get the best possible quality.

[TLHarrell]

Engine turned stainless steel? Some other metal surface that's been patterned somehow? Heavy gauge expanded metal mesh, with a translucent acrylic behind it?