Surface treatment

What is surface treatment?

Surface treatment is the process of processing or treating the surface of a material to improve its performance, function or appearance. These treatments can include physical, chemical or mechanical methods, designed to enhance the material’s corrosion resistance, wear resistance, hardness, finish or other characteristics. Surface treatment is widely used on materials such as metals, plastics, glass, ceramics, etc. to meet specific engineering needs or aesthetic requirements.

There are two basic types of surface treatment

1. Metal finishing that adds a layer of material to the surface of a part to enhance its performance or appearance, including painting, powder coating, anodizing and electroplating.
2. Metal finishing that removes from the surface of a part: Removing surface material to improve its finish or performance, including grinding, polishing and abrasion

73441293 0917 497f 9ca9 d1eb4dcf7b2e
a444c758 26af 4684 89cd 7b9d6caab713 1 300x295

Why do we need surface treatment?

Surface treatment is a method of changing the surface properties of materials by chemical, mechanical, physical or electrochemical methods. Its main purpose is:
1. Anti-corrosion: Prevent material corrosion by galvanizing, painting, electroplating and other methods.
2. Improve wear resistance: Improve material hardness and wear resistance by quenching, carbonitriding, etc.
3. Improve appearance: Improve product aesthetics by polishing, electroplating, and spraying.
4. Enhance adhesion: Increase the adhesion of coatings or adhesives by sandblasting, chemical treatment, etc.
5. Improve electrical properties: Improve electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity by gold plating, silver plating, etc.
6. Improve surface cleanliness: Remove surface contaminants by pickling and ultrasonic cleaning.
7. Reduce weight: Reduce material weight while maintaining performance by anodizing.
8. Special functions: Give materials specific functions such as hydrophobicity, self-cleaning, and antibacterial properties.

Twelve common surface treatment methods

DALL·E 2024 07 24 14.30.52 A simple line art illustration representing a brushed surface finish process. The image should include a brush or abrasive tool working on a surface,

Brushed

Use a brush or abrasive belt to create regular lines or textures on the surface of a material to improve its appearance and hide imperfections.

48f46f13 85f8 4edc be2c 453ac84cdd80

Sandblasting

The paint is sprayed onto the surface of the object in the form of fine particles to form a uniform coating.

b8384345 eaaa 474e b72a acdd07adfc0a

Passivation

Improve the corrosion resistance of metals by forming a protective oxide film or other passivation film on the metal surface.

DALL·E 2024 07 24 14.21.26 A very simple line art illustration representing surface polishing. The image should include an icon of a polishing machine or tool working on a surfa

polishing

Remove tiny unevenness on the surface of the material through physical and chemical methods to make it smooth and shiny.

DALL·E 2024 07 23 17.23.41 A very simple line art illustration representing a painting or spraying process. The image should include a spray gun or nozzle spraying paint or part

Spraying

The paint is sprayed onto the surface of the object in the form of fine particles to form a uniform coating.

DALL·E 2024 07 23 17.25.29 A simple line art illustration representing the heat treatment process. The image should include a furnace, a workpiece being heated, and temperature

Heat Treatment

The internal structure and surface properties of the material are changed through heating and cooling processes.

DALL·E 2024 07 23 17.42.05 A very simple line art illustration representing laser surface treatment. The image should include a laser beam interacting with a surface, with clear

Laser Surface Treatment

High-energy laser beams treat the surface of materials, changing their properties.

DALL·E 2024 07 23 17.43.49 A simple line art illustration representing the process of chemical plating. The image should include a container with liquid, metal parts being subme

Chemical Plating

Depositing metal coatings on the surface of materials using chemical reactions.

DALL·E 2024 07 23 17.45.53 A simple line art illustration representing the phosphating process. The image should include a container with liquid, a metal part being submerged, a

Phosphating

Provides protection by forming a phosphate film on the metal surface.

微信图片 20240723171422

Electroplating

Depositing a thin metal layer on the substrate through an electrolytic process.

DALL·E 2024 07 24 13.59.42 A simple black and white line art illustration representing a black oxide coating process. The image should include a container with liquid, a metal p

Black Oxide

A black iron oxide film is formed on the metal surface through chemical reaction.

b577d14b cc19 4df6 a98e e8f14a23f9e3

Anodizing

Generate oxide film on the surface of aluminum and its alloys through electrochemical reaction.

Examples of Project Manufacturing

+86 18666420104

Brushing is a metal surface treatment process that forms a fine texture by applying uniform friction to the metal surface. It is often used on materials such as stainless steel and aluminum alloy to increase their aesthetics and wear resistance. The brushed surface has excellent scratch resistance and corrosion resistance, and is suitable for use in home appliances, automobiles, and architectural decoration. Its fine texture not only enhances the visual effect of the product, but also effectively reduces the appearance of fingerprints and dirt, making the surface easier to clean. In addition, brushing can also reduce light reflection on the metal surface, reduce glare, and make the visual effect softer.

Sandblasting

Sandblasting is a process that uses high-speed abrasives to clean or treat surfaces. It is widely used in the surface treatment of metals, glass, stone and other materials to remove rust, coatings or impurities. Materials suitable for sandblasting include aluminum, steel, concrete, etc. Its advantages are high processing efficiency, uniform surface roughness, and easy control and cleaning. Sandblasting can also improve the adhesion and aesthetics of materials, and is an important process in industrial manufacturing and repair.

Passivation

Passivation is a surface treatment process widely used for corrosion protection of metal parts. Applicable materials include stainless steel, aluminum alloy, galvanized steel, etc. The advantages of passivation treatment mainly include improving the corrosion resistance of the metal surface, enhancing the surface hardness, improving the appearance and extending the service life. By forming a stable passivation film on the metal surface, it can effectively prevent the corrosive substances in the environment from corroding the metal, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability.

polishing

Polishing is a surface treatment technology widely used in metal, wood, stone and other materials to improve their gloss and visual effect. It is suitable for a variety of materials such as aluminum alloy, copper, wood and marble. The advantages of polishing include improving the smoothness and beauty of the surface, while removing surface defects and minor scratches, thereby enhancing the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of the material. Polishing can also enhance the grade of the product and increase market competitiveness. It is an important means to improve product quality and appearance.

Spraying

Spraying is an efficient surface coating technology, widely used in the protection and beautification of automobiles, buildings and industrial equipment. Suitable materials include various paints, resins and anti-corrosion coatings. Its advantages are uniform coating, strong adhesion, rapid coverage of large areas, easy operation and high efficiency. Spraying can effectively improve surface durability, corrosion resistance and aesthetics, and is an important process in modern manufacturing and maintenance.

Heat Treatment

Heat treatment is a process that heats and cools materials to improve their properties. It is widely used in materials such as steel, aluminum alloys and copper alloys to enhance their hardness, strength and wear resistance. It is suitable for manufacturing tools, mechanical parts and structural parts. The advantages of heat treatment include improving the mechanical properties of materials, improving corrosion resistance and extending service life. Common heat treatment methods include annealing, quenching and tempering.

Laser Surface Treatment

Laser surface treatment is an efficient surface modification technology widely used in materials such as metals, ceramics and plastics. It hardens, cleans or textures material surfaces through precise energy control of the laser beam. Suitable for automotive parts, aerospace devices, electronic equipment and other fields. Laser processing has the advantages of high precision, low thermal impact and environmental protection. It can not only significantly improve the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of materials, but also reduce waste and energy consumption in the production process.

Chemical Plating

Chemical Plating is a technology that uses chemical reactions to deposit metal on the surface of a substrate. It is widely used in the fields of electronics, automobiles and aviation. Suitable for various materials such as aluminum alloy, plastic and fiberglass. Its main advantages include uniform coating, the ability to cover complex shapes and fine parts, no power supply required, and suitable for large-area coating. Chemical Plating also has excellent corrosion resistance, wear resistance and adhesion, which can significantly improve the service life and performance of materials.

Phosphating

Phosphating is a surface treatment process widely used for corrosion protection of steel and aluminum alloys. It enhances the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of the material by forming a zinc phosphate or iron phosphate film on the metal surface. Suitable materials include low alloy steel and aluminum alloys. The advantages of phosphating are improved adhesion of the coating, reduced costs for subsequent coating, and increased service life of metal parts.

Electroplating

Electroplating is a technique that coats an object with a thin metal film. It is widely used in automotive parts, electronic equipment, decorations, etc. It is applicable to various metal substrates, such as iron, aluminum, copper, etc. Electroplating can improve the corrosion resistance, hardness and appearance of objects, while also reducing friction. Common electroplating materials include nickel, chromium, copper and zinc. These metals not only provide protection, but also give products an elegant luster and durable surface.

Black Oxide

Black oxide is a material with a wide range of applications, often used in electronic devices, catalysts and high-temperature resistant coatings. Suitable for steel, aluminum alloy and other metal surfaces to improve corrosion resistance and hardness. Its advantages include excellent high temperature resistance, chemical stability and good electrical conductivity, making it perform well in a variety of demanding environments. In addition, black oxide also has significant antioxidant effects, which can effectively extend the service life of the material.

Anodizing

Anodizing is an electrochemical treatment technique that forms an oxide film on the surface of a metal (such as aluminum) by applying an electric current in an acidic electrolyte. The process is widely used in the aerospace, automotive and construction industries to effectively improve the corrosion resistance and hardness of metals. Applicable to aluminum and its alloys, the anodized aluminum surface is not only wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant, but also provides good adhesion for spraying and coating. The process can also improve the appearance of the metal and provide it with a variety of color options.