Guide to Surface

Anodizing is an electrochemical process that provides aluminum with a protective oxide layer, significantly increasing wear and corrosion resistance. The process uses an electric current to create a porous layer of aluminum oxide, which can then be colored or sealed for additional protection.

Advantages

• Durability: Increased abrasion resistance and corrosion protection, ideal for outdoor and industrial applications.
• Color Options: Available in a variety of colors for aesthetic applications.

Features

• Types: Type I (thin layer), Type II (standard), Type III (hard anodizing for heavy duty applications).
• Thickness: 5-100 microns, depending on the application and desired finish.
• Applications: Electronics, consumer goods, and machine parts.

Powder coating is a dry coating process that creates a strong, abrasion-resistant coating without solvents. Ideal for parts that must withstand harsh conditions such as chemicals and UV radiation. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Advantages

• Durability: Resistant to abrasion, chemicals and extreme weather conditions.
• RAL colors: Available in all RAL colors for maximum design flexibility.

Features

• Powder types: Thermoset (high durability) and thermoplastic (reusable).
• Applications: Vehicles, machinery, and infrastructure.

Hot-Dip Galvanizing is a process in which steel or iron is immersed in molten zinc. This creates a thick, durable layer of zinc that provides protection against corrosion. This technique is mainly used for heavy structures exposed to the outdoors and harsh conditions.

Advantages

• Thick and durable coating: Provides long-term protection against rust, even when the coating is damaged.
• Cost-effective: Ideal for large steel parts that need long-term protection.

Features

• Process: immersing the metal in molten zinc.
• Coating thickness: 50-150 microns depending on immersion time.
• Materials available: Zinc (single).

Applications

• Mechanical Engineering
• Tools
• Construction

Electroplating is a process in which a thin layer of another metal is applied to a workpiece using electricity. This can be used for both protection and decorative purposes. A wide range of metals can be used in electroplating, including zinc, nickel, chromium, and precious metals such as gold and silver.

Advantages

• Protection and aesthetics: Provides a corrosion-resistant coating, often with a glossy finish.
• Versatility: Wide range of metals and applications, from protection to decoration.

Features

• Process: Electrical deposition of metal in an electrolytic bath.
• Coating thickness: 5-25 microns (depending on the application and metal).
• Available materials: zinc, nickel, chrome, gold, silver, copper.

Applications

• Machine building: gears, shafts and housings that need extra protection against wear and corrosion.
• Automotive: trim, bumper parts and mirrors with nickel or chrome coating.
• Electronics: Small metal components such as connectors and switches with gold or silver coating for better conductivity.

Autocatalytic plating (English: Electroless Plating) is a chemical process in which a metal coating is applied without the use of electricity. This process uses a catalytic chemical reaction to deposit the metal coating evenly on the surface. It is often used for nickel coating on complex shapes or internal surfaces.

Advantages

• No electricity required: Can be applied to complex geometries and internal surfaces.
• Even Deposition: Ensures consistent film thickness even in hard-to-reach areas.

Features

• Process: Chemical deposition of metal without electricity.
• Coating thickness: 5-50 microns (depending on the application).
• Available materials: Nickel, copper.

Applications

• Electronics and telecom: Circuit boards and connectors nickel-coated for protection and conductivity.
• Medical devices: Instruments and implants with nickel for corrosion protection and biocompatibility.
• Aerospace: Components with complex shapes, such as sensors and valves, that require uniform coating.

Mechanical plating is a process in which metal particles are physically applied to the surface of another metal through abrasion and friction. This process is often used for small parts such as bolts and nuts, where corrosion protection is needed without the use of electricity or high temperatures.

Advantages

• No heat or electricity required: Safe for delicate parts that cannot tolerate high temperatures.
• Thin and even coating: especially suitable for small parts that need protection against rust.

Features

• Process: Mechanical application of metal particles by abrasion and friction.
• Coating thickness: 5-25 microns.
• Available materials: zinc, tin.

Applications

• Fasteners: Bolts, nuts and screws that require corrosion protection.
• Small machine parts: Parts such as pins and hinges that need to be protected from rust.
• Construction and infrastructure: small fastening components for steel structures.

Blasting is a technique in which abrasive material is blown against a surface at high speed to remove contaminants and prepare the surface for further treatment.

Advantages

• Clean and Rough Surface: Prepares the part for optimum adhesion of coatings.
• Uniform Finish: Creates an even texture, ideal for further processing.

Features

• Abrasive Types: Glass beads, sand and grit depending on the desired finish.
• Applications: Aviation, shipbuilding, and industrial machinery.

Passivation is a chemical process that protects stainless steel from oxidation by removing free iron particles from the surface. This creates a thin, invisible oxide layer.

Advantages

• Corrosion resistant: Protects stainless steel from further oxidation.
• Geometric Neutral: No influence on size or finish.

Features

• Chemicals: Citric acid or nitric acid for safe, environmentally friendly treatment.
• Applications: Medical devices, food and pharmaceutical industries.

Black oxide is a chemical treatment that creates a thin, black protective layer on steel, copper and stainless steel. This layer provides a matte black appearance and increases corrosion resistance.

Advantages

• Corrosion protection: Improves resistance to rust.
• Geometric Neutral: Does not change part dimensions, ideal for precision parts.

Features

• Treatment: Matte black finish with a smooth texture, often sealed with oil (subtle sheen) or wax for added protection.
• Applications: Precision parts in aerospace, industrial machinery, and defense.

Chemical black is a surface treatment in which a thin black protective layer is applied to metals without the use of heat, making it suitable for sensitive or small parts.

Advantages

• Corrosion Protection Without Heat: Ideal for delicate parts that cannot be exposed to high temperatures.
• Geometric Neutral: Creates a thin layer without compromising dimensionality.

Features

• Treatment: Matte black finish with a smooth texture, without gloss.
• Application: Small precision parts such as gears and fasteners.

Laser engraving uses a laser beam to create permanent markings on a wide range of materials. The engravings are wear-resistant and chemical resistant, ideal for identification purposes such as serial numbers or logos.

Advantages

• Durable: Engravings are resistant to abrasion and chemical influences.
• High Precision: Accurate markings, ideal for small and detailed parts.

Features

• Material compatibility:Suitable for metals, plastics and ceramics.
• Applications: Identification in aerospace, medical equipment and industrial machinery.

Painting provides a protective coat of paint for materials that can withstand harsh conditions such as moisture, chemicals and UV radiation, while also providing aesthetic benefits.

Advantages

• Protection from Elements: Provides resistance to moisture, chemicals and UV radiation.
• Aesthetics: Flexible color options for an attractive finish.

Features

• Thickness: 25-150 microns per coat, depending on the number of applications.
• Applications: Construction, industrial machinery and transportation.