Finishing Processes Glossary

Application: Automotive parts, tools, plumbing fixtures, decorative items

Chemicals: Chromium trioxide, sulfuric acid

Chemical Supplier Names: Elementis, Sigma-Aldrich, MacDermid Enthone

Advantages: High hardness, excellent corrosion resistance, attractive, shiny finish

Disadvantages: Can be brittle, environmental and health concerns due to hexavalent chromium, requires precise control

Typical Industries: Automotive, Motorcycles, Plumbing fixtures, Tools

Cost: Moderate to high, depending on the process and thickness

Environmental Impact: High, due to hazardous waste and use of hexavalent chromium

Application: Electronics, automotive parts, kitchenware, industrial machinery

Chemicals: Nickel sulfate, nickel chloride, boric acid

Chemical Supplier Names: Umicore, Sigma-Aldrich, MacDermid Enthone

Advantages: High corrosion resistance, good wear resistance, decorative finish, excellent adhesion properties

Disadvantages: Can be expensive, may require post-treatment to prevent tarnishing

Typical Industries: Electronics, Automotive, Consumer Goods, Industrial Machinery

Cost: Moderate to high, depending on the process and thickness

Environmental Impact: Moderate, involves hazardous chemicals and requires proper waste management

Application: Electronics, jewelry, aerospace components, medical devices

Chemicals: Gold cyanide, potassium gold cyanide

Chemical Supplier Names: Sigma-Aldrich, Umicore, Technic Inc.

Advantages: Excellent conductivity, high resistance to corrosion, decorative finish, biocompatibility

Disadvantages: High cost, relatively soft and can wear out under mechanical stress

Typical Industries: Electronics, Jewelry, Aerospace, Medical Devices

Cost: High, due to the value of gold

Environmental Impact: Moderate to high, involves hazardous chemicals and precious metal mining

Application: Fasteners, automotive parts, hardware, electrical components

Chemicals: Zinc chloride, ammonium chloride, potassium chloride

Chemical Supplier Names: Umicore, Sigma-Aldrich, MacDermid Enthone

Advantages: Good corrosion resistance, economical, excellent adhesion

Disadvantages: Limited protection in severe environments, can be prone to white rust

Typical Industries: Automotive, Construction, Electronics, Hardware

Cost: Low to moderate

Environmental Impact: Moderate, involves chemical usage and requires proper waste management

Application: Electronics, automotive parts, decorative items, plumbing fixtures

Chemicals: Copper sulfate, sulfuric acid, chloride ions

Chemical Supplier Names: Sigma-Aldrich, Technic Inc., MacDermid Enthone

Advantages: Excellent conductivity, good corrosion resistance, enhances solderability, attractive finish

Disadvantages: Can tarnish, requires post-treatment for some applications, environmental concerns with copper waste

Typical Industries: Electronics, Automotive, Decorative, Plumbing

Cost: Low to moderate

Environmental Impact: Moderate to high, involves handling of copper solutions and proper waste disposal

Passivation

Application: Stainless steel parts, medical instruments, aerospace components, food processing equipment

Chemicals: Nitric acid, citric acid

Chemical Supplier Names: BASF, Dow Chemical, Henkel

Advantages: Enhances corrosion resistance, removes surface contaminants, improves surface finish

Disadvantages: Requires careful handling of acids, may involve hazardous waste

Typical Industries: Medical, Aerospace, Food Processing, Manufacturing

Cost: Low to moderate, depending on the chemicals used

Environmental Impact: Moderate, involves hazardous chemicals and requires proper waste disposal

Application: Automotive parts, construction materials, industrial equipment, appliances

Chemicals: Zinc phosphate, manganese phosphate, iron phosphate

Chemical Supplier Names: PPG Industries, Chemetall, Henkel

Advantages: Enhances corrosion resistance, improves paint adhesion, provides a good base for lubricants

Disadvantages: Can be brittle, limited decorative appeal

Typical Industries: Automotive, Construction, Industrial Manufacturing

Cost: Low to moderate

Environmental Impact: Moderate, involves chemical usage and waste management

Application: Tools, firearms, automotive parts, industrial components

Chemicals: Alkaline salt mixtures, sodium hydroxide, nitrates, nitrites

Chemical Supplier Names: EPI (Electrochemical Products Inc.), Birchwood Technologies, DuBois Chemicals

Advantages: Enhances corrosion resistance, reduces glare, improves aesthetics

Disadvantages: Limited corrosion protection compared to other coatings, requires post-treatment for optimal performance

Typical Industries: Firearms, Automotive, Industrial Manufacturing

Cost: Low to moderate

Application: Automotive parts, appliances, furniture, industrial equipment

Chemicals: Thermoset powders (epoxy, polyester, polyurethane), thermoplastic powders (nylon, PVC)

Chemical Supplier Names: AkzoNobel, PPG Industries, Sherwin-Williams

Advantages: Durable, high-quality finish, environmentally friendly, wide range of colors and textures

Disadvantages: Requires specialized equipment, difficult to apply to very thin layers

Typical Industries: Automotive, Appliances, Furniture, Industrial Manufacturing

Cost: Moderate to high

Environmental Impact: Low, as it is free of solvents and VOCs

Application: Medical instruments, food processing equipment, aerospace components, semiconductor parts

Chemicals: Sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, chromic acid

Chemical Supplier Names: BASF, Dow Chemical, Technic Inc.

Advantages: Produces a smooth, shiny finish, improves corrosion resistance, removes surface imperfections

Disadvantages: Requires careful handling of acids, may involve hazardous waste

Typical Industries: Medical, Food Processing, Aerospace, Semiconductor

Cost: Moderate to high, depending on the complexity of the parts

Environmental Impact: Moderate, involves hazardous chemicals and requires proper waste disposal

Application: Aerospace components, industrial machinery, automotive parts, medical devices

Chemicals: Metals (e.g., aluminum, zinc), ceramics (e.g., alumina, zirconia), polymers (e.g., polyethylene, polyamide)

Chemical Supplier Names: Praxair Surface Technologies, Oerlikon Metco, Saint-Gobain

Advantages: Can apply thick coatings, improves wear and corrosion resistance, allows for a wide range of materials

Disadvantages: Requires specialized equipment, can be expensive

Typical Industries: Aerospace, Industrial Manufacturing, Automotive, Medical

Cost: Moderate to high

Environmental Impact: Moderate, involves energy consumption and potential overspray waste

Application: Semiconductors, optical components, aerospace parts, medical devices

Chemicals: Metals (e.g., titanium, aluminum), ceramics (e.g., silicon dioxide, titanium nitride), polymers

Chemical Supplier Names: Materion, Advanced Energy, Veeco Instruments

Advantages: Produces high-purity, uniform coatings, excellent adhesion, can apply very thin layers

Disadvantages: Requires specialized equipment, can be expensive

Typical Industries: Semiconductor, Aerospace, Optical, Medical

Cost: High

Environmental Impact: Low to moderate, depending on the materials and processes used

Application: Electronics, food packaging, automotive parts, aerospace components

Chemicals: Stannous sulfate, sulfuric acid, methane sulfonic acid

Chemical Supplier Names: Technic Inc., Dow Chemical, MacDermid Enthone

Advantages: Excellent corrosion resistance, good solderability, non-toxic

Disadvantages: Relatively soft, can be prone to whiskering

Typical Industries: Electronics, Food Packaging, Automotive, Aerospace

Cost: Low to moderate

Environmental Impact: Moderate, involves handling of acidic solutions and proper waste disposal

Application: Decorative items, plumbing fixtures, electrical connectors, musical instruments

Chemicals: Copper cyanide, zinc cyanide, sodium hydroxide

Chemical Supplier Names: Technic Inc., MacDermid Enthone, Atotech

Advantages: Attractive finish, good corrosion resistance, excellent adhesion

Disadvantages: Involves toxic chemicals, requires precise control

Typical Industries: Decorative, Plumbing, Electrical, Musical Instruments

Cost: Moderate

Environmental Impact: High, involves hazardous chemicals and requires proper waste management

Application: Aerospace components, military equipment, fasteners, electrical connectors

Chemicals: Cadmium oxide, sulfuric acid

Chemical Supplier Names: Atotech, MacDermid Enthone, Dow Chemical

Advantages: Excellent corrosion resistance, good lubricity, provides galvanic protection

Disadvantages: Toxicity, environmental and health concerns

Typical Industries: Aerospace, Military, Fasteners, Electrical

Cost: High

Environmental Impact: High, involves handling of toxic chemicals and proper waste disposal

Application: Aerospace components, automotive parts, electronics, industrial equipment

Chemicals: Chromates, phosphates, silicates

Chemical Supplier Names: Henkel, PPG Industries, Chemetall

Advantages: Improves corrosion resistance, enhances paint adhesion, cost-effective

Disadvantages: Environmental and health concerns with chromates, limited to certain metals

Typical Industries: Aerospace, Automotive, Electronics, Industrial Manufacturing

Cost: Low to moderate

Environmental Impact: Moderate to high, especially with chromates