What is Surface Preparation? A Comprehensive Guide for Manufacturers

Surface treatment is a crucial part of the manufacturing process of metal parts. It not only enhances the performance of metal parts, but also has aesthetic value. In this article, we will provide you with a detailed introduction to the definition, importance, commonly used processes and their respective advantages of surface treatment.

1. What is surface treatment?

Surface treatment is the process of modifying the surface of a metal to enhance specific properties with the aim of increasing its corrosion resistance, durability, adhesion or improving its appearance.

2. why is surface treatment important?

1.Protective effect
Surface treatment protects metal parts from rust, heat, weathering and pressure, prolonging the life of the parts and reducing maintenance and upkeep costs.
2.Functionality enhancement
Improve the functionality of the metal, such as thermal protection or electrical conductivity for specific areas.
3.Aesthetics
Can be processed according to the desired appearance of the parts to make the product more aesthetically pleasing.

3. Commonly used surface treatment processes

Ⅰ、Electroplating
Introduction to the process：
A metal part is immersed in an electrolyte solution containing a metal coating, and an electric current is passed through the metal part to obtain coatings such as nickel plating, galvanizing, and chrome plating.
Advantages:
1、Improve corrosion resistance, such as nickel-plating and chromium-plating can enhance corrosion resistance.
2、Improve the hardness, prevent auto parts from losing luster.
3、Metallize plastic parts, conductive and improve the appearance, improve durability.
4, performance enhancement, to meet the needs of specific areas of thermal protection or electrical conductivity.
5、Improve aesthetic effect.
6、Extend the life of metal and plastic, reduce raw material consumption.

Ⅱ、Anodizing
Process introduction：
An electrochemical process in which a metal part (usually aluminum) is immersed in a bath filled with an acidic electrolyte to produce a natural oxide layer on its surface as a protective coating.
Advantages：
1、Strong durability, strong bonding with aluminum, unparalleled adhesion.
2、Stable color, long service life, significant economic advantages.
3, easy to maintain, dirt cleaning simple.
4、Aesthetically pleasing, offering a wide range of gloss and color options to maintain a metallic appearance.
5、Lower cost, low initial and maintenance costs.
6、Healthy and environmentally friendly, harmless to the human body, stable surface chemistry.

Ⅲ、Powder Coating
Process Introduction：
Charge the workpiece with an electrode, spray the powder with opposite charge onto the workpiece, and then put it into the oven to make the dry powder melt and combine with the surface.
Advantages：
1、A variety of plastic resins can be used to utilize different materials.
2、Strong durability, one of the toughest finishes, with a service life of 20 years or more.
3、Adding a variety of advantages, such as abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, electrical resistance, and so on.
4、Good coating thickness and quality, smoother, thicker and uniform thickness.
5, environmentally friendly, avoid the use of toxic solvents, generate less waste and can be reused.
6, colorful, can achieve special effects, matching any color.
7, short curing time, high production efficiency.

Ⅳ、Thermal spray coating
Process introduction：
Use torch and raw materials (wire or powder) for spraying, melting the raw materials and then sprayed to the surface at high speed to form a coating.
Advantages：
1、Wide range of coating materials, including metals, alloys, ceramics, plastics, etc., which can be specially selected according to the substrate.
2、Applicable materials are diverse, as long as the material can withstand heat can be sprayed almost all.
3、Extend the life of the material, provide an effective barrier to prevent surface damage.
4、Cutting down costs, repairing objects is cheaper than replacing them, and it is highly efficient and less wasteful.

Ⅴ、Sandblasting
Process introduction：
Project abrasive material onto the surface at high speed to make the surface clean, smooth or rough.
Advantages：
1、Remove abrasive skin, oil and rust from the surface of steel parts.
2、Abrasives can be reused, reducing costs.
3、Remove many kinds of harmful surface pollutants.
4、Speeding up the cleaning process and reducing labor requirements.
5、Effectively removes old paint and prepares for new paint application.
6、A variety of abrasive choices are available.

4. Summary

In the manufacture of metal parts, surface preparation is critical to enhance performance and aesthetics. This blog describes common processes such as electroplating, anodizing, powder coating, thermal spray coating and sandblasting. Each of these processes has its own advantages and is critical to metal part manufacturing.