Advanced Surface Finishing

Advanced Surface Finishing refers to advanced techniques or processes used to improve the surface finish of a metal part. These techniques may involve the use of specialized equipment or materials, or they may involve more complex processes that require specialized training or expertise.

Compared to normal surface finishing processes, advanced surface finishing processes are more difficult and require high technology and more experience.

Advanced surface finishing commonly includes: Electroplating, PVD, Hard-Anodizing, Electroless-Plating, etc.

What is Surface Finishing Treatment

Surface finishing treatment on components or products means the process of altering the surface of a metal or plastic part to improve its appearance or performance or function purpose.

The process of surface finishing treatment is used physical tools or chemical materials to contact surface of products and and work on its surface to change the surface property, including appearance, roughness, hardness, chemical activity, etc.

Details of each kind of Surface Finishing Treatment

There are many different methods of surface finishing, including grinding, polishing, sanding, and plating.

Each method has its own advantages and is suitable for different types of metal parts and applications.

1/ PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition): This is a process that involves vaporizing a material and depositing it onto the surface of a metal part. PVD can be used to create a hard, wear-resistant coating on the surface of a metal part.

2/ Electroless-Plating: This is a process that involves depositing a layer of metal onto the surface of a metal part without the use of an electrical current. Electroless plating can be used to improve the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of a metal part.

3/ Grinding is a process that uses abrasive wheels or belts to remove material from the surface of a metal part. This is often done to improve the surface finish or to achieve a specific shape or dimension. Grinding can be used to remove burrs, cracks, and other surface imperfections, as well as to create smooth, flat surfaces.

4/ Polishing is a process that uses abrasive compounds and tools to smooth and shine the surface of a metal part. This is often done to improve the appearance of the part, but it can also be used to remove small surface imperfections or to prepare the surface for further processing.

Sanding is a process that uses abrasive paper or cloth to remove material from the surface of a metal part. This is often done to prepare the surface for painting or coating, or to remove rough or uneven areas.

5/ Plating is a process that involves coating the surface of a metal part with a thin layer of another metal. This is often done to improve the appearance or corrosion resistance of the part, or to improve its conductivity or other properties. Commonly used plating metals include gold, silver, copper, and nickel.

6/ Anodizing: This is a process that involves using an electrical current to create a thin, protective oxide layer on the surface of a metal part. Anodizing can be used to improve the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of a metal part.

7/ Other more surface finishing processes: Such as powder coating, painting, passivation, nitriding, etc.

Benefits of Surface Finishing Brings to Products

There are several reasons why metal parts or plastic parts may need surface finishing:

1/ Improved appearance: Surface finishing can be used to improve the appearance of a metal part by smoothing out surface imperfections, creating a uniform finish, or adding a decorative finish such as gold plating.

2/ Improved performance: Some surface finishing processes can improve the performance of a metal part by increasing its corrosion resistance, wear resistance, or electrical conductivity.

3/ Increased durability: Surface finishing can also increase the durability of a metal part by protecting it from wear, corrosion, and other types of damage.

4/ Functionality: In some cases, surface finishing is necessary to make a metal part functional. For example, a metal valve may need to be ground to a precise shape or dimension in order to seal properly.

Inspection Methods on Surface Finishing Result

There are several methods that can be used to test the quality of surface finishing on a metal part. Some common methods include:

1/ Visual inspection: This involves simply looking at the surface of the part and evaluating its appearance. This can be done using the naked eye or with the aid of a magnifying glass or microscope.

2/ Surface roughness measurement: This involves using a specialized instrument to measure the roughness of the surface of the part. This can be done using a stylus profiler or a surface roughness tester.

3/ Microscopic examination: This involves using a microscope to examine the surface of the part at a high magnification. This can help to identify small imperfections or defects in the surface finish.

4/ Coating thickness measurement: If the surface finish includes a coating, such as a plating or a paint, the thickness of the coating can be measured using specialized instruments such as a coating thickness gauge.

5/ Adhesion testing: This involves testing the adhesion of the surface finish to the metal substrate. This can be done using methods such as the cross-cut test or the tape test.

6/ Cyclic Corrosion Tester: This is also called Salt Spray Tester. This method used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of a surface finish. It expose the surface of the part to a fine mist of saltwater, which is then allowed to dry. The part is then placed in a humidity chamber, and the saltwater mist is reapplied periodically. By measuring the rate at which corrosion occurs on the surface of the part, engineers can evaluate the corrosion resistance of the surface finish and make necessary improvements.

And other more methods and facilities to test more surface finishing treatment results.

Asianstar Experience on Surface Finishing Processes

There are several factors that can affect the quality of surface finishing on a metal part. Some things to consider and watch out for during the surface finishing process include:

1/ Surface preparation: Proper surface preparation is critical to the success of any surface finishing / process. The surface of the metal part should be cleaned and free of contaminants, and any defects or imperfections should be repaired or removed before beginning the surface finishing process.

2/ Abrasive selection: The choice of abrasive material can have a significant impact on the quality of the surface finish. Different abrasives are better suited to different applications, and selecting the wrong abrasive can result in a poor finish or even damage to the metal part.

3/ Process control: It is important to maintain consistent and controlled conditions during the surface finishing process, including the speed and pressure of the abrasive, the temperature of the metal part, and the flow of coolant or lubricant.

4/ Tool maintenance: The condition of the tools and equipment used in the surface finishing process can also affect the quality of the finish. It is important to maintain the tools in good condition and replace them when necessary.

5/ Quality control: Regular quality control checks during the surface finishing process can help to identify any issues or problems that may arise, and allow for corrective action to be taken. This can help to ensure that the finished metal part meets the required specifications.

With many years of components production and related surface finishing treatments experience, Asianstar understands many details and standards of the surface finishing treatment. We can support clients to apply best quality advanced surface finishing on machined products.