A hybrid film, comprising a first polymer film having a plasma-treated
surface and a second polymer film having first and second surfaces, with
the first surface of the second polymer film being disposed along the
first plasma-treated surface of the first polymer film, has superior
thermal and mechanical properties that improve performance in a number of
applications, including food packaging, thin film metallized and foil
capacitors, metal evaporated magnetic tapes, flexible electrical cables,
and decorative and optically variable films. One or more metal layers may
be deposited on either the plasma-treated surface of the substrate and/or
the radiation-cured acrylate polymer A ceramic layer may be deposited on
the radiation-cured acrylate polymer to provide an oxygen and moisture
barrier film. The hybrid film is produced using a high speed, vacuum
polymer deposition process that is capable of forming thin, uniform, high
temperature, cross-liked acrylate polymers on specific thermoplastic or
thermoset films. Radiation curing is employed to cross-link the acrylate
monomer. The hybrid film can be produced in-line with the metallization or
ceramic coating process, in the same vacuum chamber and with minimal
additional cost.