Introduction
Metal surface treatment technology is a special technology used to change the surface properties or properties of metal or manufactures and products made of metal materials. In short, it is a surface engineering technology to improve the functional performance of the surface of metal materials, such as bending strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, adhesion, lubrication, insulation and hardness, etc. Different surface treatment technologies, such as thermal spraying, physical vapor deposition (PVD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and so on, have been applied to achieve different effects.
Thermal Spraying
Thermal spraying, also known as flame spraying or arc spraying, is a technique that uses high-pressure gas to atomize, melt and spray the material onto a surface. The high velocity of the particle flux facilitates high heat transfer to the substrate and thus resembles a thermal heat transfer process. The use of a high-pressure gas at the atomization process also serves to ensure a very small particle size and a wide range of material types and substances can be sprayed. In addition, the high velocity of the particles and the high temperature of the flame ensure that the surfaces are well wetted which allows for more effective adhesion of the coating to the surface.
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)
Physical vapor deposition (PVD) is a process that involves depositing a thin film of material on a substrate surface by evaporating a solid material. It is used to create an electrically insulating, non-conductive, or a transparent film. The deposition can involve a vacuum chamber, in which a material vapor is created, or an inert gas is used, in which case the material is called CVD. PVD is also capable of depositing a range of coating materials, such as titanium nitride, titanium carbide, chromium carbide, and other carbides, nitrides, and metals.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD), also known as plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD), is a method of depositing thin films and coatings on surfaces by exposing them to chemical vapors in a controlled environment. In CVD, the source materials are normally gaseous, and the substrate to be coated is usually heated to promote the reaction between the gases and the substrate. The deposited coating is usually of a high quality, since the substrate is kept in a controlled environment at a fixed temperature and pressure during the deposition process.
Conclusion
The surface treatment technique is a relatively new technology that can improve the functional performance of metal materials. In the past, researchers have mainly focused on developing new techniques such as thermal spraying, physical vapor deposition (PVD), and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). These techniques have improved the properties of the metal surfaces including bending strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, adhesion, lubrication, insulation, and hardness. In conclusion, metal surface treatment technology can greatly improve the performance of metal materials.
