Your guide to surface treatment solutions for aluminum parts

Surface treatment is the most commonly used process to improve the surface quality of the final product. Several types of surface treatment solutions are available for aluminum parts which are further divided into various groups. Rally precision provides a broad range of surface treatment solutions for your aluminum machined parts. The company is equipped with the latest machinery and a highly qualified team of professionals, which converts your idea into reality within a moment of time.

This article reflects our aim to study the revolutionary surface treatment solutions for aluminum parts. Here you will find everything that will enable you to understand the surface treatment process a lot better. We put emphasis on every aspect of the surface treatment of aluminum parts such as; what is the surface treatment process, its methods, finishing, importance, and advantages, etc.

What is a Surface Treatment Process?

Surface treatment is a process of altering the properties of a material in order to provide more resistance against corrosion and wear by some chemical or mechanical procedures.

Manufacturers have been improving the conventional ways of surface treatment. The common principle in the surface treatment process is the modification of the material surface. The material can either be metal or plastic, and the surface finishing can be carried out by using several electromagnetic, chemical, or mechanical treatments. The purpose of the surface treatment on any surface is to enhance the mechanical characteristics of that material, such as durability, appearance, and resistance. Moreover, the surface treatment for aluminum parts gives them a better finishing, by making them smoother, and flatter.

What are the available surface treatment solutions for aluminum parts?

Some of the advanced surface treatment methods used for aluminum parts are classified into the following groups.

1. Electrochemical Solutions

This treatment solution is carried out in an electrolytic bath of suitable electrolytes with a passage of electricity through it. The aluminum part is made as Cathode (-ve) whereas the metal, whose desired characteristic is to be imparted on the aluminum surface, is made as an anode (+ve). A layer of selected metal is deposited over the surface of the aluminum part which alters its mechanical properties.

2. Chemical Solutions

This treatment involves polishing or dipping the aluminum parts in the chemical solution to achieve the desired characteristic.

3. Coatings

In this treatment, a protective coating layer is applied to the surface of the aluminum part to protect it from environmental hazards such as applying a paint coat to protect the part from corrosion.

Electrochemical finishing solutions for aluminum parts

Figure : Electrochemical finishing for aluminum parts

A number of electrochemical surface treatment solutions are available for aluminum parts. Following are the most commonly used electrochemical solutions.

1. Anodizing

In this process, a layer of the selected anodic metal is developed over the aluminum part by an electrolytic oxidation process. The metal possesses decorative, functional, or protective properties.

a. Clear anodizing: This surface treatment process involves a material that has been anodized, resulting in a substantially colorless, translucent surface.

b. Color anodizing: This treatment process is used to give a colored surface to the aluminum part and involves a metal that has been anodized and colored either during the anodizing process or through subsequent coloring processes.

c. Protective anodizing: This is the surface treatment process of anodizing where corrosion resistance or wear resistance is the primary characteristic, and the appearance is a secondary characteristic.

d. Bright anodizing: This surface treatment process is used when a metallic surface with high specular reflectance is required after anodizing.

2. Electropolishing

This particular surface treatment process for aluminum parts is carried out to achieve a clear and polished final product. In this process, an anodic electrolyte is used to polish the metal surface.

3. Electrochemical brightening

The aluminum parts that require a bright reflective surface undergo this surface treatment process. The Surfaces are electrochemically treated to improve their optical reflectivity.

Chemical finishing solutions for aluminum parts

Figure : Chemical finishing for aluminum parts

A wide variety of Chemical finishing solutions is available for an aluminum part each of them has its own unique procedure and specific characteristics to the finished part. Following are some commonly used chemical finishing solutions for aluminum parts.

1. Bright dipping

Bright dipping finishing solution is used to give aluminum extrusions a specular or "mirror" finish. It is done by submerging the part in a mixture of phosphoric and nitric acids. After being bright dipped, the part can also be anodized, forming an oxide layer that resists corrosion.

2. Etching

This particular finishing process involves the dissolution of the surface of an aluminum part in acid or caustic environments with the objective of surface roughening.

3. Chemical polishing

The process involves polishing the surface of the aluminum part by means of chemical application. A chemical solution is immersed on the surface of the aluminum part for polishing.

4. Pickling

This surface treatment process involves the removal of a thin layer from the aluminum part by using a chemical reagent. As a result of this, a fresh new layer is now on the outer surface of the aluminum part.

Coating finishing solutions for aluminum parts

Figure : Coating finishing for aluminum parts

The coating finishing involves coating a layer of either a liquid or powder onto the aluminum surface which acts as a barrier between the surface and the environment. Following are the commonly used coating surface treatments.

1. Liquid painting

In liquid coatings, materials form an adhering film onto the surface of the aluminum parts and add protection to them. A liquid coating consists of three main ingredients.

• Resin: commonly referred as the binder.
• Pigments: give the coating a specific color.
• Solvent: controls the coating characteristics.

2. Powder coating

This finishing treatment involves spraying the finely-grounded pigments and resins onto electrostatically charged aluminum parts. The grounded parts are exposed to the charged particles so they can adhere to the surfaces and hold them in place until they melt or fuse together into a smooth coating.

3. Organic coating

This finishing method involves applying a coating material to a metallic substrate. In this process, liquid or powder coatings are applied to the surface once or multiple times, then dried or laminated with plastic films after a chemical pretreatment.

Mechanical finishing solutions for aluminum parts

Figure : Mechanical finishing for aluminum parts

Mechanical finishing treatments are applied to the aluminum parts to remove any excessive rough edges or burr from the part’s surface. These are some of the most widely used finishing solutions used by Rally Precision.

1. Grinding

Grinding involves using a rotatory abrasive wheel to remove any extra bits of metal from the aluminum parts and to give the final products a spotless finishing.

2. Polishing

This surface finishing process involves polishing aluminum parts to achieve a smooth, shiny surface by using a profile polishing machine.

3. Blasting

This can be accomplished by propelling a specific type of media using pressurized fluid. Sand, metal shot, baking soda, and glass beads are commonly used as media.

Importance of surface treatment processes

Surface treatment processes are important for increasing the useful life of aluminum machined parts. Most of the industrial products are made up of metal or metal alloys and to protect them from adverse environmental conditions, the surface treatment process for those parts is carried out in a controlled medium. The modern surface treatment solutions offered by Rally Precision not only assist in extending the equipment’s service life but, in some cases, impart useful properties like case hardening. The surface treatment process gives an attractive look to the aluminum machine parts and also increases their overall lifespan.

Advantages of surface treatment processes for aluminum parts

The surface treatment processes have many advantages and contribute toward the long life of aluminum machined parts. Following are the key advantages of the surface treatment process:

1. Less Friction

A coating done by a surface treatment process reduces the friction between two mating parts. It improves the surface quality of the part that eventually results in executing the smooth and temperature-controlled operation.

2. Corrosion Resistance

In terms of corrosion resistance, surface treatments are extremely beneficial. The use of a noble metal coating allows you to reduce the exposure of your part to moisture and oxygen, slowing down the corrosion process.

3. Extends Life of the Part

Surface treatment solutions improve the quality and the lifespan of the aluminum parts. Companies are saving millions of dollars by carrying out surface treatment processes for their machinery parts. Thanks to the surface treatment methods, it is now possible to have the same equipment last for decades.

Does Rally Precision offer surface treatment solutions for aluminum parts?

Yes, Rally Precision offers world-class surface treatment solutions for your aluminum parts. We offer a broad range of surface treatment solutions for our valuable clients including electrochemical, mechanical, and chemical finishing solutions. Our skilled and highly experienced team ensures you deliver exactly what you have asked for. All the processes are rigorously monitored with our top-of-the-line quality control technology. Rally Precision is dedicated to its customer’s satisfaction through its high-quality surface finishing services for aluminum parts. For over 15 years in the machining industry, delivering the finest quality aluminum parts is our ultimate goal.

Talk to our engineers or fill out the form to get the market competitive quote within a moment of time.

Conclusion

The surface treatment process serves as a great technique to protect your aluminum parts no matter which industry you belong to. You can get custom surface finishing solutions for your aluminum machined parts at Rally Precision. The surface treatment services we offer will not only give your aluminum parts the premium finishing but also enhance their physical properties. So, what are you waiting for? Click Here and get your free quote today.