ok a quick autopsy of a cd would probably help

there are 3 layers in total.

1- the substrate. This is made out of plastic and is injection moulded to get all the depressions in to it ( the music)
2- a layer of metal is electroplated on to the substrate. this metal is only 20-30 microns thick if i remember right.
3- a layer of laquer is layer on top of the metal layer ( this is also very thin but not quite micron level )

you then print on the laquer side.

the little ring in near the hub is called a stacking ring.
If you stack a cd on top of another one they will only tough on the stacking ring thereby protecting the data.

as for double sided DVD's they are a bit different.
Basic idea is u make 2 single sided DVD's and glue them together ( no i am not joking )

If you ahve any other questions just as and i willtry adn answer them

Beer Fridge, Wot like this?http://www.gizmos-uk.com/Fridge.htm

No. It's nothing like that.

I haven't been keeping CDs around in the car much, so I don't have a ready supply of coppertoned CDs. :-) If I end up with one I'll definitely drop it over :-D I didn't recall the scatches being very deep? I recall there were light (in appearance) scratches all over though.

Calvin

Hi.

Actually, the metal layer is _not_ electroplated but vapor coated (don't know if this is the right english term for it, but the metal gets vaporized and returns to a solid form on the cold surface of the plastic.

cu,
sven