Various surface treatment effects after precision machining of parts

author: kevin

2024-05-27

Various surface treatment effects after precision machining of parts

1. Electroplating - This process forms a thin metal coating on the substrate. The electroplating process causes positively charged current to pass through a solution containing dissolved metal ions, while negatively charged current passes through the metal components to be electroplated. The common metals used for electroplating are cadmium, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, silver, tin, and zinc. Almost all conductive base metals can be electroplated to improve their performance.

2. Chemical plating - This treatment method is similar to electroplating; However, it does not use electricity. Reducing agents replace electricity and are included in electroplating solutions.

3. Chemical treatment - This method involves the process of producing sulfide and oxide films through chemical reactions. Typical use is as a primer for metal coloring, anti-corrosion, and painted surfaces. Black oxide is a very common surface treatment for steel parts, and passivation is used to remove free iron from the surface of stainless steel parts.

4. Anodizing - This type of surface treatment is commonly used for light metals such as aluminum and titanium. These oxide films are formed by electrolysis, and due to their porous nature, dyes and colorants are often specified to improve aesthetic appearance. Anodizing is a very common surface treatment that can prevent corrosion of aluminum parts. If wear resistance is still required, engineers can specify a version of this method to form a relatively thick, extremely hard ceramic coating on the surface of the part.

5. Hot dip - This process requires immersing the parts in dissolved tin, lead, zinc, aluminum, or solder to form a surface metal film. Hot dip galvanizing is the process of immersing steel into a container containing molten zinc. For corrosion resistance in extreme environments, guardrails on roads usually use this surface treatment.

6. Vacuum electroplating - Vacuum vapor deposition, sputtering, ion plating, ion nitriding, and ion implantation are some of the more common metal surface finishing processes that utilize high vacuum as part of the electroplating process. Ionized metals, oxides, and nitrides are generated in a controlled environment. The parts are transferred to the vacuum chamber, and the metal deposits very accurately on the substrate. Titanium nitride is a surface treatment that can extend the service life of high steel and hard alloy metal cutting tools.

7. Painting - Surface treatment Painting is usually specified by engineers to enhance the appearance and corrosion resistance of parts. Spray painting, electrostatic spray painting, immersion coating, brush coating, and powder coating are some of the most commonly used techniques for applying paint to the surface of components. There are various types of coating formulations that can protect metal components in various physical environments. The automotive industry has achieved automation of the painting process for cars and trucks, utilizing thousands of robotic arms and producing extremely consistent results.

8.Thermal spraying - This type of surface treatment involves accelerating the melting or heating of materials, which then collide and mechanically bond to the target surface. Wire or powder raw materials, usually metals or ceramics, are melted by injecting them into flames, arcs, or plasma streams. When increasing friction is an ideal characteristic, engineers sometimes specify this process. It is also commonly used for larger structural objects to prevent high temperatures, such as thermal barrier coatings for exhaust gas thermal management.