Coatings are essential to protecting metal components and objects from becoming damaged or corroded. Metal parts are often susceptible to corrosion that comes in the form of chemical exposure, electrical contact, localized corrosion or stress cracking. Luckily, there are a number of ways to protect these parts through metal coating methods like spraying, sputtering and plating.
Read on to find out more about protective coating materials.
Common techniques for coating metal parts
There are a number of methods that are used as coatings that bond to the metal substrate. These include:
- Hot dipping: The parts are dipped into a liquid coating in this process. Hot dipping is used especially in cases where the metal parts are often facing extreme conditions or have complicated dimensions that are not easy to coat using a spray gun.
- Liquid and powder spraying: This method is used to apply paint and other liquid coatings to areas that are not easy to cover with a roller or brush. Powder spraying is done with an electrostatic charge that fully covers a substrate with powder. Larger and denser parts will require additional energy to cover with a powder coating.
- Electroplating: This method utilizes an ion-plating process that changes the surface’s ionic makeup. In turn, this leads to caustic agents, moisture and electrolytes being less likely to result in corrosion. This technique is used for surfaces that can’t be fully coated via other methods.
- Conversion or electroless plating: Conversion changes the surface layer so that it’s resistant to corrosion. A black oxide process will alter the surface so that it’s blackened and microporous.
- Brush coat: The simplest method is to use a brush or roller to coat the surface with the protective material like you would with paint. Depending on the surface, other techniques may need to be used.
Benefits of metal coating
The reality is that metal coating provides long-lasting, significant benefits to the coated surfaces. It improves the durability and surface strength, especially in instances of high-contact parts. It also increases electrical conductivity, which is critical for commercial and industrial parts.
Metal coatings can also improve aesthetics for highly-polished surfaces. Metal parts will become less likely to be damaged by chemicals, corrosion, electricity, galvanization and more. Beyond that, these coatings can improve torque and make lubrication easier for fasteners and other similar components.
This is why a wide range of industries utilize protective coating materials to keep their gear in excellent condition. From food-handling to aerospace to automotive and electronics, a wide range of industries are investing in metal coating every day.
For more than two decades, the team at Powder Vision Inc. has offered quality services in residential, commercial and industrial powder coating restoration on cars and motorcycles, patio furniture, city maintenance and signage for housing developments. Our experts have more than 60 years of combined experience and can offer everything you need for metal coatings and protective coating materials. Give us a call right now and find out how we can help you—we look forward to learning more about your needs!