Abstract: A weather and corrosion-resistant reflector with high overall reflection in the visible and infrared wavelength ranges. The reflector contains a reflector body with a reflection surface of an aluminum or aluminum alloy or a reflector body with a reflection coating of an aluminum or aluminum alloy. The reflector also contains an outer, final transparent protective layer of a sol-gel coating which is thicker than 1 ?m. The transparent sol-gel coating is a polymer of cross-linked inorganic siloxanes with alcohol groups that are bonded to the silicon with a carbon bond. The sol-gel coating is produced in a sol-gel process and, after having been applied to the reflector body, is dried and hardened using heat. The protective layer has excellent resistance to weather, corrosion and abrasion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a weather and corrosion-resistant reflector with high overall reflection in the visible and infrared wavelength ranges. Said reflector contains a reflector body with a reflective surface consisting of aluminium or an aluminium alloy or a reflector body with a reflection coating consisting of aluminium or an aluminium alloy. The reflector also contains an outer, final, transparent protective layer consisting of a sol-gel coating which is thicker than 1 &mgr;m. The transparent sol-gel coating is a polymer consisting of cross-linked inorganic siloxanes with alcohol groups that are bonded to the silicon with a carbon bond. The sol-gel coating is produced in a sol-gel process and after having been applied to the reflector body, is dried and hardened using heat. The protective layer is characterized by its excellent resistance to weather, corrosion and abrasion.