Complete list of surface treatments! Which materials are suitable for different surface treatments?

1. Vacuum electroplating

Vacuum plating is a physical deposition phenomenon. That is, argon gas is injected under a vacuum state, and the argon gas hits the target material. The target material is separated into molecules and are adsorbed by the conductive goods to form a uniform and smooth imitation metal surface layer.

Advantages: high quality, high brightness product surface protective layer

Typical applications: Reflective coatings, surface treatments for consumer electronics and thermal insulation panels

Applicable materials:

1. Many materials can be vacuum electroplated, including metals, soft and hard plastics, composite materials, ceramics and glass. Among them, aluminum is the most commonly used for electroplating surface treatment, followed by silver and copper.

2. Natural materials are not suitable for vacuum plating because the moisture in the natural materials themselves will affect the vacuum environment.

2. Electrolytic polishing

Electrolytic polishing uses the workpiece to be polished as the anode and the insoluble metal as the cathode. Both poles are immersed in the electrolytic tank at the same time, and a DC bridge reaction is used to produce selective anode dissolution, thereby achieving the effect of removing fine burrs on the surface of the workpiece and increasing the brightness. .

Advantages: High gloss surface, smooth and hygienic

Typical applications: building structures, food processing storage and medical pharmaceuticals

Applicable materials:

1. Most metals can be electrolytically polished, which is most commonly used for surface polishing of stainless steel (especially suitable for austenitic nuclear grade stainless steel).

2. Different materials cannot be electropolished at the same time, or even placed in the same electrolytic solvent.

3. Photo etching surface treatment

Photolithography surface treatment is referred to as photolithography. It uses photography to create a resist film image to protect the surface. It is a method of etching metal, plastic, etc. with the help of chemical corrosives to produce surface texture.

Advantages: Both extended exposure and chemistries enable photoetch surface treatment

Typical applications: Surface treatment for jewelry, nameplates and trophies

Applicable materials:

1. Most metals are suitable for photo-etching surface treatment, the most common ones are stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, brass, nickel, tin, copper and silver. Among them, aluminum has the fastest photoetching speed, while stainless steel has the slowest photoetching speed.

2. Glass and ceramics are also suitable for photoetching surface treatment, but they require different photoresists and chemicals.

4. Pad printing

The pad printing process can print text, graphics and images on the surface of irregular shaped objects, and is now becoming an important special printing.

Advantages: Achieve crisp printing details, even on uneven surfaces

Typical applications: Surface printing for vehicle interiors, consumer electronics and sports equipment

Applicable materials: Pad printing can be used on almost all materials, except for materials softer than silicone pads, such as PTFE.

5. Galvanizing

The galvanizing process is a surface treatment technology that coats the surface of steel alloy materials with a layer of zinc for aesthetics and rust prevention. The zinc layer on the surface is an electrochemical protective layer that can prevent metal corrosion. The main method used is Hot dip galvanizing and electro galvanizing.

Advantages: perfect protective layer, appearance largely depends on the quality of the steel

Typical applications: surface treatment of buildings, bridges, vehicles and furniture, etc.

Applicable materials: Since the galvanizing process relies on metallurgical bonding technology, it is only suitable for surface treatment of steel and iron.

6. Electroplating

Electroplating is a process that uses electrolysis to attach a metal film to the surface of parts, thereby preventing metal oxidation, improving wear resistance, conductivity, reflectivity, corrosion resistance and improving appearance. The outer layer of many coins also for electroplating.

Advantages: extremely high gloss, resistant to oxidation and corrosion

Typical applications: transportation, consumer electronics, furniture, surface treatment of jewelry and silverware, etc.

Applicable materials:

1. Most metals can be electroplated, but different metals have different levels of purity and plating efficiency. The most common ones are: tin, chromium, nickel, silver, gold and rhodium (rhodium: a type of platinum, extremely expensive and can maintain high brightness for a long time, and can resist most chemicals and acids. It is most commonly used to add luster to the surface of products Products with extremely high quality requirements, such as trophies and medals).

2. The most commonly used plastic for electroplating is ABS, because ABS can withstand the electroplating temperature of 60°C (140°F), and its electroplated layer and non-electroplated layer have high bonding strength.

3. Nickel metal cannot be used for plating products that come into contact with the skin because nickel is irritating and toxic to the skin.

7. Powder spraying

Powder spraying is a dry spraying method that is used on some metal workpieces through spraying or fluidized bed. The powder is electrostatically adsorbed on the surface of the workpiece. When it is completely dry, a protective film will be formed on the surface.

Advantages: Product surface coloring is smooth and even

Typical applications: spraying of vehicles, construction and white home appliances, etc.

Applicable materials: Although suitable for surface coating of some metal parts, plastics and glass, powder coating is mainly used to protect or color aluminum and steel.

8. Water transfer printing

Water transfer printing is a method that uses water pressure to print color patterns on transfer paper on the surface of three-dimensional products. As people's requirements for product packaging and surface decoration increase, water transfer printing is used more and more widely.

Advantages: The surface texture of the product is precise and clear, but there will be slight stretching.

Typical applications: transportation, consumer electronics and military products, etc.

Applicable materials: All hard materials are suitable for water transfer printing, and materials suitable for spraying must also be suitable for water transfer printing. The most common ones are injection molded parts and metal parts.

9. Screen printing

Screen printing uses the extrusion of a scraper to transfer the ink to the substrate through the mesh of the graphic part, forming the same graphic and text as the original. Screen printing equipment is simple, easy to operate, easy to print and plate making, low in cost, and has strong adaptability. Screen printing has a wide range of applications. Common printed materials include: color oil paintings, posters, business cards, binding covers, product signs, and printed and dyed textiles.

Advantages: The quality and accuracy of pattern details are extremely high

Typical applications: used in clothing, electronic products and packaging, etc.

Applicable materials: Almost all materials can be screen printed, including paper, plastic, metal, ceramics and glass, etc.

10. Anodizing

Anodizing is mainly the anodizing of aluminum, which uses electrochemical principles to generate an Al2O3 (aluminum oxide) film on the surface of aluminum and aluminum alloys. This oxide film has special properties such as protection, decoration, insulation, and wear resistance.

Advantages: The oxide film has special properties such as protection, decoration, insulation, and wear resistance.

Typical applications: mobile phones, computers and other electronic products, mechanical parts, aircraft and automobile parts, precision instruments and radio equipment, daily necessities and architectural decoration

Applicable materials: aluminum, aluminum alloy and other aluminum products

11. Electrophoresis

Under the action of an electric field, charged particles move toward an electrode with opposite electrical properties, which is called electrophoresis.

Advantages: The product presents various colors and maintains metallic luster. At the same time, the surface properties are enhanced and it has good anti-corrosion properties.

Typical applications: automobiles, building materials, hardware, home appliances, etc.

Applicable materials: stainless steel, aluminum alloy, etc.

12. Micro-arc oxidation (MAO)

Micro-arc oxidation (MAO), also known as micro-plasma oxidation, relies on the instantaneous high-temperature and high-pressure action generated by arc discharge on the surfaces of aluminum, magnesium, titanium and their alloys to grow matrix metal oxides through a combination of electrolyte and corresponding electrical parameters. Material-based ceramic film layer

Advantages: The material has high surface hardness and good wear resistance.

Typical applications: aerospace field, IT products

Applicable materials: Al, Ti, Zn, Zr, Mg, Nb, and their alloys, etc.

13. Metal wire drawing

Metal wire drawing is a surface treatment method that uses grinding products to form lines on the surface of the workpiece to achieve a decorative effect. According to the different textures after drawing, it can be divided into: straight drawing, random drawing, corrugated and swirling

Advantages: Brushing can give the metal surface a non-mirror metallic luster, and brushing can also eliminate subtle flaws on the metal surface.

Typical applications: such as elevator door panels, faucets, handles, etc., kitchen utensils such as range hoods, sinks, etc.

Applicable materials: Almost all materials can use metal drawing process

14. In-mold decoration

Decoration technology is a kind of molding in which a diaphragm with a printed pattern is placed into a metal mold, and the resin for molding is injected into the metal mold to join the diaphragm, so that the diaphragm with the printed pattern and the resin are integrated and solidified into the finished product. method

Advantages: It can be used for complex images, the product is friction-resistant, can prevent surface scratches, and can keep the color bright and not easy to fade for a long time.

Typical applications: decorative and functional control panels for home appliances, automobile dashboards, air conditioning panels, mobile phone casings/lenses, washing machines, refrigerators, etc.

Applicable materials: plastic surface