Surface finishing is an important step in metal fabrication that improves the properties and quality of the metal’s surface.
1 . Surface Hardening Treatments
Surface hardening treatments increase the hardness of a metal’s outer layer while keeping a tougher, ductile core. Techniques include carburising, nitriding, induction hardening, and flame hardening. These treatments improve wear resistance and the load-bearing capacity.
2. Electroless Plating
Electroless plating relies on a chemical reduction reaction instead of electricity to deposit metal uniformly. Electroless nickel plating, or ENP, is widely used to provide corrosion and wear resistance.
3.Electroplating
Electroplating involves depositing a thin metal layer onto a substrate using an electric current. The part acts as the cathode in an electrolytic solution containing metal ions, which are reduced to form a uniform coating. Processes like electroless nickel plating, such as https://www.poeton.co.uk/surface-treatments/plating/electroless-nickel-plating, give wear resistance and a bright finish.
4. Anodising and Conversion Coatings for Aluminium
Anodising is an electrochemical process that thickens aluminium’s natural oxide layer. Conversion coatings, such as chromate treatments, chemically bond a protective layer to metals like aluminium.
5. Coatings
Organic coatings provide protective layers on metal surfaces. Painting applies liquid coatings that dry to form a protective film, while powder coating uses electrostatically applied dry powder cured with heat to create a tough layer.
6. Mechanical Surface Strengthening
Mechanical surface strengthening improves the surface properties of metal parts without adding a coating. Shot blasting uses high-velocity abrasive particles to clean and prepare surfaces, while shot peening deliberately impacts the surface with small spherical media to give compressive stresses.
