Anodizing | Painting | Printing and Etching | Polishing | Electroplating
What is Anodizing？
Anodizing is an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish. Aluminum is ideally suited to anodizing, although other nonferrous metals, such as magnesium and titanium, also can be anodized.
The anodic oxide structure originates from the aluminum substrate and is composed entirely of aluminum oxide. This aluminum oxide is not applied to the surface like paint or plating, but is fully integrated with the underlying aluminum substrate, so it cannot chip or peel. It has a highly ordered, porous structure that allows for secondary processes such as coloring and sealing.
Anodizing is accomplished by immersing the aluminum into an acid electrolyte bath and passing an electric current through the medium. A cathode is mounted to the inside of the anodizing tank; the aluminum acts as an anode, so that oxygen ions are released from the electrolyte to combine with the aluminum atoms at the surface of the part being anodized. Anodizing is, therefore, a matter of highly controlled oxidation the enhancement of a naturally occurring phenomenon.
Painting
A great paint job is one of the best ways to make your product stand out from the crowd. Using only the finest PPG automotive polyurethanes, we can replicate virtually any color, tint or hue in our climate-controlled, automated spray room.
Our master painters can supply millions of colors, in matte, flat, semi-gloss or glossy finishes. We even create custom painted textures. We also have the highest ISO and BS certifications for quality and environmental protection so you can be rest assured that you’ll receive only the most professional and responsible painting service.
Printing and Etching
We have many ways to provide custom printing and marking of text and logos on your parts. We make custom stencils for pad printing on most flat or curved surfaces. Pad printing is fast, reliable, consistent and comes in many colors. Silk screening is also available for larger surfaces and when mixing multiple colors for even more complex graphics.
We can etch or engrave your graphics using an engraving tool, while laser etching is ideal for making the most precise and permanent marks on metal and and some plastics.
What is Polishing?
- A process to generate a reflective surface
- Normally, the polish is generated by using a fine-micron or sub-micron abrasive particle in combination with a liquid. Polishing is a “wet” process.
- Often the polishing process utilizes a pad to contain the abrasive, so polishing may not be a “loose abrasive process.” The pad is softer than the part.
- Very little material is removed during the polishing process, normally measured in microns
- The surface finish of the work-piece to be polished must be of a high quality prior to the polishing process taking place, so the pre-polishing process is often a “lapped” surface.
Plating
The plating process is a manufacturing process in which a thin layer of metal coats a substrate. Metal plating provides many benefits to products made from metal and other materials. This is mostly achieved through electroplating, which requires an electric current, or through electroless plating, which is in autocatalytic chemical process. These techniques, as well as a few others, result in one or several of the following benefits:
- Improved corrosion resistance
- Decorative appeal
- Increased solderability
- Enhanced hardness
- Reduced friction
- Altered conductivity
- Enhanced paint adhesion
- Material deposition
- Increased magnetism
Get Your Project Started Today
Still haven’t found the type of finish you want? If you have any other special requirements we pride ourselves on finding solutions for any of your custom needs. Contact us today for a free quote to get your next project started.
