Finishing & Coating
Surface finishing is the process of altering the surface of an object (e.g., plating, polishing, buffing, electropolishing, chemical etching, coating) for the purpose of enhancing its appearance or functional property.
The purpose of finishing can be for economic reasons, material conservation, to change the surface of the basis material to provide certain desirable properties, or a combination thereof, such as:
- Corrosion Resistance
- Abrasion Resistance
- Wear Resistance
- Improved Lubricity
- Non-Toxicity
- Dimensional Alterations
- Light Reflectivity
- Insulation or Conductivity
- Improved Electrical Properties
- Solderability
- Temperature Resistance
- Magnetism/Non-Magnetism
- Impact Resistance
- Wire Bonding
- Rubber Bonding
- Light Absorption
Apart from its decorative uses on a wide range of consumer and industrial products, surface finishing provides essential functional applications.
Natural Resources are conserved by the use of coatings to preserve products, or when a rare, costly surface coating can provide its own desired physical properties on a more abundant and less costly base material.
Without surface finishing, many of your metal conveniences would no longer exist. Virtually every metal object has been finished to improve its appearance or shelf life.
Understanding The Coating Process
The Coating Process
A typical sequence of a coating operation involves:
- Surface preparation (to ensure a smooth, clean and dry surface)
- Coating application
- Curing
Selection of Coatings
Important considerations in the selection of coatings include:
- Purpose
- Use
- Cost
- Expected useful life
- Environmental exposure
The Finishing Touches
Key points:
- The surface finishing industry is mostly comprised of smaller companies that provide services to large industry as well as machine shops
- Plate All Metal serves both large and small companies
- We have a commitment to a clean environment and safe work place
- We provide certification for your plating requirements