A Look At The 4 Common Types Of Metal Finishing

Posted on: 28 April 2020

Metal is used for a range of industrial purposes, but sometimes, the base metal alone is not exactly what it should be to serve a specific purpose. In these situations, having metal pieces treated by a metal finishing service is a viable option. Numerous ways to finish and treat metal pieces exist, but there are a few metal finishing practices that are more common than others. Check out some of the most common metal finishing processes below. 

Anodizing Metal Finishes 

Anodizing metal increases the level of oxidation on the outer surface of a piece of metal, and it can be done to different degrees to achieve different desirable attributes or qualities to fit specific applications. Anodizing is primarily done to enhance the level of corrosion resistance a piece of metal has. For example, something like a piece of solid steel can be anodized so it does not rust so easily when exposed to outdoor elements. You will find a lot of hardware and fasteners that have been anodized to protect their finishes. 

Electroless Plating Finishes 

Electroless plating is most often done with nickel, and the plating can be done in varying degrees of thickness depending on the desired end result. The process is referred to as electroless because electricity is not involved in the process, but the end finish is also a material that is not conducive to electricity, which can be valuable for certain applications. 

Passivation Finishes 

Applying passivation finishes to metal pieces involves using certain processes to change the outer texture of the surface of the metal. For instance, stainless steel may undergo passivation to alter the iron consistency of the surface, which will enhance the overall integrity of the piece. Passivation finishes can be used on many types of metal, but it is most often performed on different types of steel, which naturally have iron content present that can be manipulated. 

Metal Alloy Finishes 

Some finishes are added to change the outer consistency, density, or appearance of a piece of metal. One common way to achieve this is by coating one type of metal with an alternative type of metal alloy. For example, a piece of stainless steel may be coated in a layer of copper alloy to give it a different appearance and a softer density outwardly. Metal alloy finishing is one of the more simplistic finishing processes, and it is also one of the most common. 

For more information on metal finishing, reach out to an industrial finishing company.

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