Enhancing Product Quality and Longevity: The Power of Surface Treatments and Coatings

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These processes, also known as post-processing, have a significant impact on the appearance, functionality, and durability of a product. They encompass activities that either modify a thin layer on the surface of the part itself or add a thin layer on top of the part's surface. These treatments and coatings enhance the overall quality and performance of the product, ensuring it meets the desired standards and extends its lifespan.

There are different coating and surface treatments processes, with different applications, uses, etc.

The important uses include:

  • Improving the hardness
  • Improving the wear resistance
  • Controlling friction, Reduction of adhesion, improving the lubrication, etc.
  • Improving corrosion resistance
  • Improving aesthetics 

Mechanical hardening of the surface:


Examples of these processes include Shot peening (uses tiny balls of metal or ceramic), Water-jet peening (uses a jet of water at high pressures, e.g. 400 MPa), or Laser peening (surface is hit by tiny impulses from a laser) – an expensive process used to improve the fatigue strength of jet fan blades and turbine impellers.

Case Hardening:

This is a widely used process that involves strengthening the outer surface of various parts, including gear teeth, cams, shafts, bearings, fasteners, pins, tools, molds, dies, and more. These components often experience dynamic forces, occasional impacts, and continuous friction in their usage. Hardening the surface helps to enhance their durability and resistance to wear and tear, ensuring they can withstand these demanding conditions and maintain their performance over time.

Case hardening is a process that brings about changes in the chemical structure of metal. It involves the diffusion of atoms from another element, which leads to modifications in the micro-structure of the surface crystals. This transformation strengthens the outer layer of the metal, making it more resistant to wear and providing improved durability. By altering the composition of the surface, case hardening enhances the metal's ability to withstand tough conditions and extends its lifespan.

Thermal spraying:

Metal is melted in a specially designed spray gun (using oxy-fuel, plasma, or other means to heat the sprayed metal till it melts). High-pressure gas then sprays the liquid metal, depositing a layer on top of the part similar to a painting process.

Painting:

 Of course, the most common surface treatment is painting. Examples of its functional value include: (i) car body paints are corrosion resistant; (ii) boats are painted with anti-corrosion paint with (toxic) chemicals to avoid the growth of barnacles, seaweed, etc. Examples of aesthetic or decorative value are too numerous.

Paints are of three types:

(a) Enamel: oil-based paints that produce a smooth surface and glossy appearance

(b) Lacquers: these are resin-based paints that dry to a thin coat after the solvent evaporates out. Common examples are varnish used in painting wood.

(c) Water-based paints: common examples include several wall paints and home-interior paints.

Applications:

Dip coating: part is dipped into a container of paint, and pulled out.

Spray coating: one or more spray guns move along the surface of the part to give a uniform coat of paint; this is the method most commonly used in painting auto bodies, home appliances, e.g. fridge doors, etc.

Electrostatic spraying: Here the paint particles are given an electrostatic charge and the spray is achieved by applying a voltage difference across the paint particles and the part.

Silk-screening: this is the most common method of painting patterns, text, etc on top of most products. Tiny holes are made in a thin (silk-like) sheet, corresponding to the pattern that needs to be painted.

Complex Services:

SS Engineers provide complete technologies for industrial surface treatment, from design to assembly and commissioning. In addition, we also provide machine installation

Our mission is to provide the customer with the optimal equipment and technology to meet the most stringent requirements in the industry.

Our Services - Your benefit:

  • Our designs, in accordance with aspects of environmental protection, provide you with long-term cost savings which are well worth it.
  • Minor disposal costs guarantee a profit in the long run.
  • Our systems – in comparison with other systems working with solvents – do not require certificates of exemption
  • On the following pages you will find further useful information on our company and on our product range.
  • Our company meets all challenges and we do not shy away from an individual task.