Surface treatment is to form a surface layer on the base material with different properties from the base material to meet the corrosion resistance, wear resistance, decoration, or other special functional requirements of the product. Common surface treatment methods include mechanical grinding, chemical treatment, surface heat treatment, spraying surface, etc. They usually involve steps such as cleaning, sweeping, deburring, degreasing, and descaling of the workpiece surface.
1. Vacuum plating
- Definition: Vacuum plating is a physical deposition phenomenon that forms a uniform and smooth metal-like surface layer by impacting the target with argon gas.
- Applicable materials: metals, hard and soft plastics, composite materials, ceramics, and glass (except natural materials).
- Process cost: The labor cost is quite high, depending on the complexity and quantity of the workpieces.
- Environmental impact: The environmental pollution is very small, similar to the impact of spraying on the environment.
2. Electrolytic polishing
- Definition: Electropolishing is an electrochemical process that uses electric current to remove atoms from the surface of a workpiece, thereby removing fine burrs and increasing brightness.
- Applicable Materials: Most metals, especially stainless steel.
- Process cost: The labor cost is very low because the whole process is basically completed by automation.
- Environmental impact: Uses less harmful chemicals, is simple to operate, and can extend the service life of stainless steel.
3. Pad printing process
- Definition: Special printing that can print text, graphics, and images on the surface of irregularly shaped objects.
- Applicable materials: Almost all materials, except materials softer than silicone pads (such as PTFE).
- Process cost: low mold cost and low labor cost.
- Environmental Impact: Due to the use of soluble inks (which contain harmful chemicals), there is a significant impact on the environment.
4. Galvanizing process
- Definition: A layer of zinc is coated on the surface of steel alloy materials to provide aesthetics and anti-rust effects.
- Applicable materials: steel and iron (depending on metallurgical bonding technology).
- Process cost: no mold cost, short cycle, medium labor cost.
- Environmental impact: It can significantly increase the service life of steel parts, prevent rust and corrosion, and have a positive effect on environmental protection.
5. Electroplating process
- Definition: Electrolysis is used to adhere a layer of metal film to the surface of parts.
- Applicable Materials: Most metals (such as tin, chrome, nickel, silver, gold, and rhodium ) and some plastics (such as ABS).
- Process cost: No mold cost, but fixtures are required to fix parts, and labor costs are medium to high.
- Environmental impact: Large amounts of toxic substances are used, and professional handling is required to ensure minimal environmental impact.
6. Water transfer printing
- Definition: Use water pressure to print the colored pattern on the transfer paper onto the surface of a three-dimensional product.
- Applicable materials: All hard materials, especially injection molded parts and metal parts.
- Process cost: no mold cost, low time cost.
- Environmental impact: Printed coatings are applied more fully than spraying, reducing waste spillage and material waste.
7. Screen printing
- Definition: The ink is squeezed by a scraper and transferred to the substrate through the mesh of the image part.
- Applicable materials: Almost all materials, including paper, plastic, metal, etc.
- Process cost: The mold cost is low, but the labor cost is high (especially multi-color printing).
- Environmental impact: Light-colored screen printing inks have less impact on the environment, but inks containing harmful chemicals need to be recycled and disposed of in a timely manner.
8. Anodizing
- Definition: Anodizing of aluminum uses electrochemical principles to form an aluminum oxide film on the surface of aluminum and aluminum alloys.
- Applicable materials: aluminum, aluminum alloy, and other aluminum products.
- Process cost: large water and electricity consumption, high machine heat consumption.
- Environmental impact: The energy efficiency is not outstanding, and the anode effect will produce gases that are harmful to the atmospheric ozone layer.
9. Metal Brushing
- Definition: A decorative surface treatment method that forms lines on the surface of a workpiece by grinding.
- Applicable materials: Almost all metal materials.
- Process cost: The method and equipment are simple, the material consumption is very small, and the cost is relatively low.
- Environmental impact: Made of pure metal, with no paint or any chemical substances on the surface, it meets fire protection and environmental protection requirements.
10. In-mold decoration
- Definition: Place the printed film into a metal mold, combine it with the molding resin to form a whole, and solidify it into a finished product.
- Applicable materials: plastic surface.
- Process cost: Only one set of molds is needed, which can reduce costs and working hours and achieve highly automated production.
- Environmental impact: Green and environmentally friendly, avoiding the pollution caused by traditional painting and electroplating.
These surface treatment processes play an important role in industrial production, not only improving the aesthetics and performance of products but also meeting consumers' demands for personalized customization and environmental protection. When choosing a suitable process, it is necessary to comprehensively consider multiple factors such as materials, costs, production efficiency, and environmental impact.
Post time: Dec-06-2024