Do you find that the effects of many processes are very similar and difficult to distinguish, especially those similar to oxidation? In fact, there is no need to confuse. It seems that similar effects can usually be achieved in many ways. The key is to look at the material, cost, use and related testing standards of the product itself. The purpose of design is to solve the problem, not how many patterns are used to show it.
First, vacuum electroplating
A physical deposition phenomenon. That is, argon is injected in a vacuum state to impact the target, and the target is separated into molecules and adsorbed by conductive objects to form a uniform and smooth metal-like surface layer.
Typical products: reflective coating surface treatment, consumer electronics products, heat insulation board.
Suitable output: single piece to large batch.
Quality: The product surface has a high quality and bright protective layer.
Speed: medium production speed, 6 hours/cycle (including painting)
Applicable materials
1. Many materials can be vacuum plated, including metals, soft and hard plastics, composite materials, ceramics and glass. Among them, aluminum is the most commonly used for electroplating surface treatment, followed by silver and copper.
2. Natural materials are not suitable for vacuum electroplating, because the moisture of natural materials will affect the vacuum environment.
Process cost
Vacuum electroplating relies heavily on manual operation. In the process of vacuum electroplating, the workpiece needs spraying, loading and unloading and recoating, and the labor cost is quite high, but it also depends on the complexity and quantity of the workpiece.
2. Electroplating procedure
The surface treatment technology of plating a layer of zinc on the surface of iron and steel alloy material to play an aesthetic and antirust role. The zinc layer on the surface is an electrochemical protective layer, which can prevent metal from rotting. The main methods used are hot galvanizing and electro-galvanizing.
Typical products: surface treatment of buildings, bridges, vehicles and furniture.
Suitable output: single piece to large batch.
Quality: The appearance of a perfect protective layer depends largely on the quality of steel.
Speed: fast, basic 10 min/cycle.
Applicable materials
Because the zinc plating process depends on metallurgical bonding technology, it is only suitable for the surface treatment of steel.
Process cost
1. No mold cost, short cycle and low cost.
2. The labor cost is moderate, because the surface quality of the workpiece largely depends on the artificial surface treatment before galvanizing.
Three. Electroplating process
Through the process of attaching metal film on the surface of parts by electrolysis, metal oxidation can be prevented, wear resistance, conductivity, reflectivity and corrosion resistance can be improved, and appearance can be improved. Many coins are also electroplated.
Typical products: surface treatment of vehicles, consumer electronics, furniture, jewelry and silverware.
Suitable output: single piece to large batch.
Quality: high gloss, oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance.
Speed: Medium speed, depending on material type and coating thickness.
Applicable materials
1. Most metals can be electroplated, but different metals have different grades of purity and electroplating efficiency. The most common are: tin, chromium, nickel, silver, gold, rhodium (rhodium: a kind of platinum, which is extremely expensive, can maintain high brightness for a long time, and can resist most chemicals and acids. It is most commonly used in products that require extremely high surface gloss, such as trophies and medals.
2. The most commonly used plastic for electroplating is ABS, because ABS can withstand the electroplating high temperature of 60 C (140 F), and the bonding strength between electroplated layer and non-electroplated layer is high.
3. Nickel metal can't be used for electroplating products in contact with skin, because nickel is irritating and toxic to skin.
Process cost
1. There is no mold cost, but a fixture is needed to fix the parts.
2. Time cost depends on temperature and metal type.
3. Labor cost (medium to high) depends on the specific type of electroplated parts. For example, the electroplating of silverware and jewelry requires extremely skilled workers to operate, because it requires high appearance and durability.
Four. Water transfer printing
It is a way to print the color patterns on transfer paper on the surface of three-dimensional products by water pressure. With the improvement of people's requirements for product packaging and surface decoration, the application of water transfer printing is more and more extensive.
Typical products: transportation, consumer electronics and military products.
Suitable output: small batch to large batch.
Quality: the surface texture of the product is accurate and clear, but it will be slightly stretched.
Speed: high speed, 10-20 cycles/hour.
Verb (abbreviation of verb) electrophoresis
Under the action of electric field, charged particles move to their typical opposite electrodes, which is called electrophoresis.
Typical products: automobiles, building materials, hardware, household appliances, etc.
Suitable output: mass production.
Quality: The product presents a variety of colors, maintains metallic luster, enhances surface performance and has good corrosion resistance.
Speed: faster production speed
Applicable materials
Stainless steel, aluminum alloy, etc.
Process cost
Can realize mechanized and automatic continuous operation, and has low labor cost and total cost.
Intransitive verb wire drawing
It is a kind of surface treatment method which forms lines on the surface of workpiece by grinding products and plays a decorative role. According to the different lines drawn, it can be divided into straight line drawing, random drawing, ripple drawing and spiral drawing.
Typical products: construction industry such as elevator door panels, faucets, handles, etc. Cabinet furniture such as range hoods and sinks.
Suitable output: single piece to large batch.
Quality: Wire drawing treatment can make the metal surface get non-mirror-like metallic luster, and at the same time, wire drawing treatment can also eliminate fine defects on the metal surface.
Speed: faster
Applicable materials
Almost all materials can adopt metal wire drawing process.
Process cost
Simple process method, simple equipment, less material consumption, low cost and high economic benefit.
Seven. microarc oxidation
Microplasma oxidation, also known as microplasma oxidation, is to grow a ceramic film mainly composed of matrix metal oxides on the surface of aluminum, magnesium, titanium and their alloys by using the instantaneous high temperature and high pressure generated by arc discharge.
Typical products: aerospace and IT products.
Suitable output: single piece to large batch.
Quality: The material has high surface hardness and good wear resistance.
Speed: faster speed
Applicable materials
Aluminum, titanium, zinc, zirconium, magnesium, niobium and their alloys.
Process cost
The high arc voltage, high current density, low current efficiency, high energy consumption and high treatment cost of micro-arc oxidation limit its wide application.