What Is Surface Treatment Chemicals?
Surface treatment chemicals encompass the various substances utilized in surface treatment processes, targeting materials like metal products, parts, and certain plastics. These treatments aim to enhance mechanical performance, encompassing attributes such as hardness, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, heat resistance, adhesion, insulation, and conductivity.
Additionally, decorative processes like polishing and coloring are often applied to surfaces to add aesthetic value.
The surface treatment process involves several steps, starting with pre-treatment measures like degreasing, acid washing, and rinsing to eliminate foreign substances from the material’s surface. Surface activation may also be necessary before applying coatings or initiating chemical reactions. Chemicals utilized in these pre-treatment and post-treatment rinsing processes are collectively known as surface treatment chemicals.
Applications of Surface Treatment Chemicals
Common surface treatment techniques include chemical reactions, plating, anodizing, and electrocoating.
1. Chemical Reactions
This method involves immersing materials in chemical solutions to induce reactions on the surface, altering material properties. For instance, blackening iron products enhance corrosion resistance by forming a ferric oxide film through chemical reactions.
2. Plating
Plating entails depositing a metallic coating onto metal substrates (and sometimes plastics) to enhance aesthetics, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties.
3. Anodizing
Applied to aluminum substrates, anodizing forms an oxide film to improve corrosion resistance and other properties.
4. Electrocoating
Immersing materials in a water-soluble paint tank and applying direct current deposits the paint onto the surface. Methods like cationic and anionic electrodeposition coating offer superior corrosion resistance, with the former widely used in automotive undercoat painting.
Principles of Surface Treatment
Surface treatment processes necessitate proper surface preparation to remove contaminants like grease, rust, or unwanted films. Parameters such as chemical concentration, temperature, and electrical conditions must be meticulously controlled for effective and consistent treatment. Expertise in managing these parameters is critical for successful surface treatment.
Choosing Surface Treatment Chemicals
When selecting surface treatment chemicals, factors such as material type, desired performance, and treatment method must be considered. Consulting experts may be beneficial due to the broad range of available chemicals and specialized requirements.