Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Important Information On Metal Coatings

By Frances McDonald


Generally, metals can be used in many different ways. However, it might be important to improve the quality in order to increase their durability, strength, and good look. One way to achieve these qualities is through metal coatings that usually protects the surfaces of different products made of metals often purchased by people.

Generally, these coats are used to create some protective layer on the metallic workpieces. This results in a composite material which displays properties that remain unachievable if the material were to be used by itself. As a result, metallic surfaces will be able to withstand corrosion and abrasion. The core material is also furnished with a load-bearing capability.

At the same time, depositing of these metal coatings such as cadmium, chromium, copper, and nickel, may be achieved through the wet chemical processes. Generally, these processes are essential in controlling pollution. Different techniques can also be used to create a protective layer deposit. Such techniques are such as spraying, ion vapor deposition, electroless plating, shot dipping, electroplating, and chemical vapor deposition. Some of the important coatings are such as zinc, nickel, chromium, cadmium, and aluminum.

On the other hand, the plating processes and surface treatment are mainly batch processes in which the metallic objects are usually plunged in and taken out from baths containing several reagents to help achieve the desired surface. Basically, this procedure involves moving the objects for coating through systems of bath designed to create the desired final product.

Nevertheless, the requirements, modernization and sophistication levels in a facility will dictate the reliance on highly automated processes or more manual techniques. A commonly used method for metal coating is galvanizing, which normally offers resistance to corrosion. Galvanizing basically pertains to the application of zinc metal on carbon-steel surfaces so as to control or prevent corrosion. Hot-dip galvanizing methods are usually preferred and largely involve dipping steel parts into baths containing molten zinc.

On the contrary, the metallizing process can also be relied on to provide protective layers. This process basically refers to the application of thin metallic coats in a bid to protect the surfaces from active corrosion, for example, zinc and aluminum anodes, or simply as a protective coat for instance alloys and stainless steel. Metalizing can be carried out through flame spraying or electroplating.

However, the different modern processes such as the plasma arc spraying can as well be used if you are utilizing the exotic refractory metals. Usually, this is used in different demanding applications even when these advanced processes are not commonly used in controlling corrosion. However, there are several advantages that come with metal coating. One of such advantage is superior protection on metal surfaces from corrosion, oxidation, and rust. These protective sheaths, on the other hand, help to minimize friction and protect the surfaces from chemicals.

In addition, protecting a metallic surface helps in making easy the assembly as well as disassembly processes for metallic joints or surfaces. The other advantage pertains to the simplification of clean-up processes as well as the provision of nonstick characteristics to metallic surfaces.




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