Surface Treatment
Protection and finish that perform as hard as the parts they coat.
Multi-stage surface treatment upgrades corrosion resistance, wear performance and appearance - with full pre-treatment for coating adhesion and longevity.
Overview
Surface finishing uses multi-stage processes such as plating, coating and anodizing to give metal parts corrosion protection, wear resistance and the required appearance. Grinding, pre-treatment (degreasing), coating application and inspection run as one continuous flow - pre-treatment quality directly determines coating life - and coating thickness, adhesion and appearance are inspected before dispatch.
How the Process Works
Grinding / polishing to remove burrs and dress weld spots, ensuring a flat substrate;
Degreasing, rust removal, cleaning and drying - if pre-treatment is incomplete the coating will fail, so this is the critical quality step;
Phosphating / passivation etc. to improve the bond between coating and substrate (where required by the process);
Electroplating (zinc / nickel / chrome), spray coating (powder / liquid paint), anodizing, etc., subject to the processes available;
Drying / curing, with post-finishing where necessary;
Inspection of coating thickness, adhesion and appearance; accepted parts proceed to final inspection and packing.
Key Advantages
- Coatings and platings isolate moisture and corrosive media, significantly extending service life
- Hard platings and coatings increase surface hardness for scratch and wear resistance
- Uniform colour and a smooth finish that meets customer appearance requirements
- Grinding, pre-treatment and coating application run as one continuous process, combining quality with efficiency
- Plating for conductivity, anodizing for insulation and coatings in custom colours - tailored to requirements
- Weld spots, scratches and residual burrs are dressed so every shipment is visually consistent
Materials We Process
Carbon steel and stainless steel
Aluminum and aluminum alloys
Zinc alloys and other cast metals
Copper and brass alloys
Typical Applications
- Hardware, hinges, locks and fasteners
- Enclosures, housings and structural parts
- Automotive and machinery components
- Outdoor equipment and marine-adjacent hardware
- Furniture, display and consumer product parts
- Electrical and electronic mounting hardware
Capability at a Glance
|
Parameter |
Details |
|
Methods |
Zinc plating, nickel and chrome plating, anodizing, powder coating, painting, passivation, sandblasting |
|
Corrosion testing |
Salt spray testing available per your specification |
|
Finish options |
Broad color range for powder coating; matte, semi-gloss and gloss |
|
Quality checks |
Coating thickness, adhesion and appearance inspection |
|
Compliance |
RoHS-compliant processes and materials |
|
Pre-treatment |
Degreasing, sandblasting and conversion coating for adhesion |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What surface finishes can you provide?
A: Common options include electroplating (zinc / nickel / chrome), spray coating (powder / liquid paint) and anodizing
Q: Will the coating peel or fade?
A: With proper pre-treatment (degreasing and rust removal) and priming, adhesion is assured; an adhesion test is carried out before dispatch.
Q: How corrosion-resistant is it (how many hours of salt spray)?
A: It depends on the process type and coating thickness, which vary widely; the specific salt spray standard should be based on our actual test data.
Q: Does surface finishing affect dimensions?
A: Platings and coatings have a measurable thickness (micron level); allowance should be specified on the drawing for precision mating surfaces and is assessed during process design.
Q: Can welded parts be surface finished?
A: Yes. Welded parts are deslagged and ground first, then finished uniformly so the weld and base metal match in appearance.
Work With Us
Tell us your part, material and required finish performance - salt spray hours, color and hardness - and we will recommend the most cost-effective treatment for your application.