In simple terms, a surface treatment is a process that is applied to a surface of an item in order to improve its appearance or properties, or both. Breakthroughs in technology and design have allowed for the development of more advanced and innovative surface treatments.
Why are they used?
There are a number of reasons why surface treatments are used. One is purely for aesthetic purposes. The other main reason is to instil additional performance properties – or to enhance existing ones.
Surface treatments are most-commonly applied to metals but they can also be used on plastics, polymers, and wood.
Surface treatment for metals
Metal components are primed during the surface treatment process in-order to provide them with additional properties. This is usually done at an early stage of the manufacturing process.
There are several different techniques that result in a range of additional characteristics. The best technique to use depends on the desired final use of the metal. The most popular are probably: plating, heat treatment, plasma/flame/corona, barrelling, and deburring
Each of these methods allows different characteristics to be added/enhanced. Examples include enhancing rust prevention, improving adhesion, increasing strength, and elevating heat protection/resistance. Many of these also improve the durability of the component in question.
Examples of surface-treated metal products include medical equipment, car and aircraft parts, and electronic devices.
Standard treatments
If you would like to know more about possible surface treatments that could benefit your business, there are specialists with excellent online resources such as www.poeton.co.uk/standard-treatments.
Surface treatment for plastics
Plastics can also be surface treated. Doing this can improve a product’s appearance, texture, function, or strength.
There are a considerable number of surface treatment processes for plastics, with the most-common probably being electroplating, painting, laser marking, and mould-decoration. Each of these have their own advantages and are capable of improving appearance as well as properties such as adhesion, heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and hardness.
Some examples of surface treatments applied to plastics include adding luminous paint to make items glow in the dark, and adding protective plastic covers to mobile electronic devices.