Industrial surface treatments are carried out on metal surfaces to improve or change their mechanical, visual or chemical properties, thereby improving their durability and extending their lifetime. There are a number of surface treatments that can be carried out, including anodising, plating, thermal and metal sprays, conversion coating, dry film lubricating, and painting.
It is important to select the treatment that is most appropriate to the type of metal you have and its intended purpose. Surface treatment specialists such as https://www.poeton.co.uk/standard-treatments can advise customers as to which process is best suited to their needs.
Surface treatment options
1. Anodising, which is carried out on aluminium surfaces by means of electrical conversion, is intended to protect the metal product from corrosion and wear.
2. Plating can be conducted through either electroplating or auto-catalytic plating. As with anodising, this process aims to extend the lifetime of the metal surface by protecting it from the damaging effects of corrosion and increasing its wear resistance.
3. Thermal spraying is a complex process that improves the appearance of a surface and its durability.
4. Conversion coating forms a surface film that is ideally suited to painting over. This process can reduce moisture absorption and help to ease the cleaning process.
5. Dry film lubrication is the process of mixing lubricating agents with a binding resin and applying it to a surface to increase its resistance to heat and wear.
6. Painting is a simple solution that delivers great visual appeal and protects against corrosion.
Although some of these processes can be carried out by a competent DIYer, others – such as thermal spraying – are best left to the experts due to the health and safety hazards the process poses to untrained operators. These potential hazards include vapours, combustion, and burning..
In conclusion
‘Industrial surface treatments’ is a blanket term that relates to the many processes that are available to improve the aesthetic appeal or performance of a metal product, extending its lifetime, increasing its durability, and protecting it from the harmful effects of corrosion.
