Surface treatment is a metal finishing process used to alter the surface of a metal object, often for purposes of aesthetics or corrosion protection. The surface of the object can be transformed by the process into a variety of different states and textures such as smoothing, polishing, passivation and even painting.
Surface treatments can be applied to a variety of metals including aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel, galvanized steel and many other metal alloys.
There are a variety of different surface treatments that can be used on metals including grinding, honing, vibratory finishing, polishing, electroplating, etching, pickling, passivating and painting. Depending on the desired outcome, some treatments may be employed as standalone processes, while others are combined to achieve a desired surface finish.
Grinding: Grinding is a metalworking process used to reduce the surface of a metal object. Grinding can be used to smooth out the surface or add texture and lead to various finishes, including mirror-like surfaces and even etched images. Grinding is usually done with an abrasive wheel, belt, or disc, and is one of the most common surface treatments.
Honing: Honing is another metalworking process used to refine a surface finish. It is done manually or with automated equipment and is done by gently rubbing an abrasive material over the metal object’s surface in order to accurately control the size and shape of the object.
Vibratory Finishing: Vibratory finishing is a finishing process which uses a vibratory deburring machine. The machine is filled with an abrasive compound such as ceramic media, and the metal object is placed inside the machine. The abrasive compound is then vibrated against the metal object, removing any burrs and smoothing the surface.
Polishing: Polishing is a process which removes imperfections from the surface of a metal object. Polishing involves the use of abrasive compounds or other materials in order to refine the surface of the metal. Polishing can be done manually or with the use of automated machinery.
Electroplating: Electroplating is a metalworking process used to add a protective coating to a metal object. In electroplating, an electrical current is used to cause an ion exchange between the metal object and a plating solution. This results in a thin protection layer made of the metal of choice being deposited on the surface of the object.
Etching: Etching is a surface treatment process used to create images or text on a metal object. The metal object is submerged in an acid or other etching solution which eats away at the surface of the metal, leaving an etch behind. Etching can be used to create intricate images and can be used in combination with oxidation to produce a variety of different results.
Pickling: Pickling is a chemical treatment process used to clean and remove surface imperfections. Pickling is done by submerging the metal object in an acidic solution, which dissolves and removes any impurities from the surface. This results in a cleaner and smoother surface.
Passivation: Passivation is a chemical treatment process used to make the surface of a metal more resistant to corrosion. Passivation is done by submerging the metal object in a bath of nitric or chromic acid as well as other proprietary compounds in order to form a protective layer on the surface of the metal. This layer prevents rust and corrosion from occurring, prolonging the life of the metal.
Painting: Painting is a finishing process which involves the application of paint to a metal object in order to give it an attractive appearane. Painting can be done by hand or with automated machinery, creating a variety of different effects.
