Manufactured items often require a final flourish to deliver the necessary levels of protection and durability to enable them to meet consumer expectations. For many industries, this final flourish is metal finishing.
What is metal finishing?
Metal finishing is a broad term that describes the processes undertaken to modify the surface of the manufactured item to ensure it will perform appropriately once in the hands of the user. Depending on the type of product being manufactured, metal finishing will be undertaken to extend the product’s lifetime, to make it stronger, to make it more visually attractive, to lubricate it, or to improve its conductivity.
How is metal finishing performed?
The two main ways in which metal finishing is performed are through mechanical finishing processes and using chemical reactions. The preferred option will vary depending on the product and the environment in which its manufacturer wishes for it to be deployed.
What are the most common methods of metal finishing?
1. Powder coating
This process involves spraying a powder onto the product’s surface before heat-curing it to leave a hard coating that protects the product from corrosion, chipping, and fading. It is often used rather than painting, as it is quicker, more durable, and usually produces a more consistent finish.
2. Plating
There are two forms of plating: electroplating uses an electrical current to apply nickel coatings to a product to increase its durability, longevity, and visual appeal, while electroless nickel coating uses a chemical reaction to apply the coating. Both types are available from surface treatment specialists such as poeton.co.uk/standard-treatments/electroless-nickel-plating.
3. Anodizing
This electrochemical process is used to increase the durability of metal surfaces and to prepare them for the application of paints and glues. As anodized products are not coated, they retain all their original specifications but perform more effectively in a range of environments.
Who uses metal finishing and why?
Metal finishing techniques are employed by a wide variety of industry sectors that need to enhance the performance of their products while constraining costs. They are effective, safe, and highly beneficial.