Knowledge

In contemporary manufacturing and product creative design, surface treatment technology plays a crucial role. It not only significantly enhances the aesthetic appeal and durability of products but also endows them with a series of specific functional characteristics.

A wide variety of materials are used in the surface treatment process, each with its unique properties and application fields. This article aims to provide an in-depth explanation of several widely used surface treatment materials and their performance in practical applications.

 

What are the common materials used in metal surface treatment?

The common materials used in metal surface treatment are diverse, and the choice of these materials usually depends on the nature of the base material, the required surface properties, and the application environment. The common materials for metal surface treatment mainly include the following:

1. Cast iron: Cast iron has excellent fluidity, low cost, and good wear resistance. It is often used in construction, bridges, engineering components, and other fields. In metal surface treatment, cast iron can be coated with asphalt to prevent rust.

2. Stainless steel: Stainless steel is an alloy made by adding elements such as chromium and nickel to steel. It has excellent corrosion resistance and rigidity. The surface of stainless steel can be finely processed, such as polishing and electroplating, to achieve different appearances and properties.

3. Zinc: Zinc has extremely high corrosion resistance and is commonly used as a surface coating material for steel. Zinc castings are widely used in door handles, faucets, electronic components, and other fields. Additionally, zinc can be combined with copper to form brass and used to manufacture various alloy products.

4. Aluminum: Aluminum has the advantages of high flexibility and ductility, is easy to form alloys, and has a high strength-to-weight ratio. It is widely used in transportation, aircraft components, kitchen appliances, and other fields. The surface of aluminum can be treated by anodizing, electrophoretic coating, etc., to improve its corrosion resistance and appearance.

5. Magnesium alloys: Magnesium alloys have the advantages of low density, high specific strength and specific rigidity, good thermal and electrical conductivity, etc. They are often used in automotive parts, 3C product shells, and other fields. The surface of magnesium alloys can be treated by electroplating, spraying, etc., to enhance their corrosion resistance and decorative performance.

6. Copper: Copper has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as good corrosion resistance. It is often used in wires, engine coils, printed circuits, and other fields. The surface of copper can be polished, electroplated, etc., to achieve a bright and smooth appearance.

7. Chromium: Chromium is usually used as an alloy element in stainless steel to increase its hardness. In addition, chromium can be used in chromium plating processes to form decorative coatings, hard chromium coatings, black chromium coatings, etc., and is widely used in automotive parts, bicycle parts, bathroom faucets, and other fields.

 

Which coatings and electroplating materials are used in surface treatment?

In surface treatment, the commonly used coatings and electroplating materials mainly include the following types:

Coatings

· Shell paint: Suitable for electronic shells, it has a metallic touch and alcohol resistance, and can be compounded with PU or UV varnish.

· Chameleon paint: Multi-angle illusory paint enhances the value of products and creates an outstanding appearance.

· Silver electroplating coating: Non-toxic imitation electroplating effect, strong alcohol resistance, suitable for automotive parts, home appliance decoration and handicrafts, suitable for ABS, PC and metal parts.

· Rubber paint: Single-component, soft and elastic, anti-fouling and solvent-resistant, used for metal and non-metal surface coatings, suitable for ABS, PC, PS, PP, PA and hardware parts.

· Conductive coating: Specifically designed for PS and ABS plastics, it has electromagnetic conductivity, shields electromagnetic waves and magnetic lines, and achieves the purpose of making plastic like metal without welding or glue.

· UV coating: UV-cured, transparent and bright, high hardness and fast drying, protects the surface coating and whitens it.

· Pearlescent powder: Pearlescent pigment, used in cosmetics, plastics, inks and automotive paints.

· Night paint: Includes phosphorescent powder, providing up to 8 hours of night illumination.

Electroplating materials

1. Gold: As an electroplating material, gold is mainly used to improve electrical conductivity and the decorative effect of the coating, giving it a dazzling luster.

2. Silver: Silver is usually used for electroplating electronic components to meet their electrical conductivity requirements, but it is also favored in high-end decorative items because its coating not only has excellent electrical conductivity but also has excellent reflective properties.

3. Nickel: The nickel coating can significantly improve the corrosion resistance and decorative properties of the workpiece, and its coating is bright and wear-resistant. Nickel plating has been widely used in lamps, coins and hardware parts.

4. Chromium: The chromium coating is known for its bright appearance and excellent wear resistance. Although its rust resistance is slightly lower than that of zinc plating, it is better than oxidation treatment. Chromium can significantly increase the hardness and wear resistance of metal parts.

Therefore, chromium plating has been widely used in household appliances, electronic product accessories, tools and faucets, etc.

 

How do abrasives and polishing compounds improve surface finish?

Abrasives and polishing agents play a crucial role in improving surface finish. Here is a detailed explanation of how they work:

Abrasives

Sandpaper and grinding wheels:

Sandpaper is made by adhering abrasive particles (such as silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, etc.) to paper using an adhesive.

By manual or mechanical means, friction can effectively remove surface roughness, rust, and old coatings, making the metal surface smoother.

Grinding wheels are typically made by mixing and pressing abrasive particles (such as corundum, silicon carbide, etc.) and binders (such as resin, ceramic, etc.). During rotation, grinding wheels can effectively remove material from the metal surface, achieving a fast and smooth processing effect.

Abrasive blasting media:

· Sand is a common natural abrasive material mainly used to remove stains and oxide layers from metal surfaces. However, it is crucial to choose the appropriate grain size and type to prevent excessive damage to the object's surface.

· Glass beads are commonly used in fine abrasive blasting processes and can effectively eliminate small surface defects without causing significant damage to the base material.

· Shot blasting techniques cover various types of steel and cast iron balls and are particularly suitable for heavy abrasive blasting, effectively removing heavy oxide layers and rust.

 

Wax: This is typically applied to the final polishing process of metal surfaces, forming a protective film that enhances surface smoothness and corrosion resistance. Wax polishing agents can be used manually or mechanically, and after polishing, it is necessary to wipe or buff to remove the excess wax layer.

Red: This product contains fine abrasive particles and lubricants, which can effectively eliminate minor scratches and blemishes on the metal surface during the polishing process. Mechanical polishing equipment can use polishing paste or polishing oil (such as a polishing machine) to achieve a smoother and more lustrous surface effect.

 

 

 

 

 

Which chemicals and solutions are used in surface treatment?

In the surface treatment process, the commonly used chemicals and solutions include the following categories:

Etching solutions:

· Composition: This solution is mainly composed of a mixture of acids and bases. Typical components include sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and sodium hydroxide.

· Function: Etching solutions precisely engrave and texture the metal surface through chemical reactions, removing part of the metal material to create the desired pattern or texture effect.

Passivation chemicals:

· Composition: Commonly used passivators include nitric acid, citric acid, and potassium dichromate.

· Function: These chemicals are mainly used for surface protection treatment of metals such as stainless steel. By forming a tight passivation film on the surface, they can significantly improve the corrosion resistance of the metal.

This passivation film can effectively isolate the metal from direct contact with corrosive substances in the environment, thereby effectively extending the service life of the metal.

Anodizing electrolytes:

· Composition: Anodizing electrolytes mainly contain electrolyte components such as sulfuric acid, chromic acid, and oxalic acid.

· Function: This electrolyte can form a dense oxide layer on the surface of metals such as aluminum, magnesium, and titanium.

This oxide layer not only greatly enhances the hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of the metal, but also has excellent insulation properties, providing a solid foundation for subsequent coloring, sealing, and other treatments.

At the same time, the selection and proportion of anodizing electrolytes have a crucial impact on the quality and performance of the oxide layer.

 

VIGOR's Surface Treatment Supply Chain

We have a complete and reliable surface treatment supply chain, offering comprehensive surface treatment services aimed at enhancing the performance and aesthetics of components.

Such as polishing, anodizing, powder coating and electroplating, enabling us to achieve superior surface quality and durability.

These finishing processes not only improve the appearance of parts but also increase their resistance to wear, corrosion and environmental factors.

Whether you need surface treatment for prototype or production parts, our experienced team is committed to providing high-quality finishes that meet the specific requirements of your project, ensuring both functionality and visual appeal. Summary

There are many types of materials used in surface treatment, each with its own characteristics. When choosing surface treatment materials, factors such as the application scenario of the product, performance requirements, cost-effectiveness, and environmental protection requirements need to be considered. By making reasonable choices and using surface treatment materials properly, the performance of the product can be significantly improved, its service life can be extended, and its decorative effect can be enhanced.