Anodizing: is an electrochemical process that converts a metal’s surface into a decorative, durable, and corrosion-resistant finish. By submerging the metal (usually aluminum) in an acid electrolyte bath and applying an electric current, oxygen ions are forced to react with the metal, building a thick, integrated oxide.
Alodine (also widely known as chem film or chromate conversion) is a chemical treatment for aluminum and other metals used to passivate the surface. It significantly improves corrosion resistance and acts as an excellent primer for paints and adhesives, all while preserving the metal’s electrical conductivity.
Heat treatment is an industrial metalworking process that alters a material’s physical and mechanical properties. It involves three critical steps: heating the metal to a specific temperature, holding or “soaking” it at that temperature for a set duration to alter its internal structure, and cooling it at a controlled rate.
The sol-gel process is a versatile wet-chemical technique used to synthesize solid materials (typically metal oxides, ceramics, or glasses) from small liquid molecules. It converts a liquid “sol” (colloidal suspension) into a 3D solid “gel” network. It is widely used to create thin films, nanoparticles, and highly porous aerogels.
Priming process prepares a surface, system, or organism for its main operation by applying a foundational layer or stimulus.
Electroplating is a manufacturing process that uses electrical current to reduce dissolved metal cations, forming a thin, coherent metal coating on an electrode. It is primarily used to change the surface properties of an object, such as its corrosion resistance, lubricity, or aesthetic appearance.
Electroless plating (also called autocatalytic plating) is a chemical deposition process that plates a metal layer onto a substrate without using any external electrical current.
Immersion plating (also known as displacement or replacement plating) is a chemical method that coats a substrate by using a spontaneous galvanic displacement reaction instead of an external electrical current or chemical reducing agents.
Mechanical plating (also known as peen plating, impact plating, or mechanical deposition) is a manufacturing process that uses kinetic energy to cold-weld fine metal powders onto a workpiece.
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is an advanced vacuum coating process that vaporizes a solid material in a high-vacuum chamber and deposits it atom-by-atom onto a workpiece.
Gold plating is the process of depositing a very thin layer of real gold onto the surface of a base metal—such as copper, silver, brass, or stainless steel—using chemical or electrochemical methods. While it is most widely recognized for giving jewelry and decorative items a luxurious look at an affordable price, it also serves a critical function in the electronics and aerospace industries because gold does not corrode and is an excellent electrical conductor.
Silver plating is the process of coating a conductive object—typically a base metal like copper, brass, or nickel—with a thin layer of pure silver. This is achieved through electroplating, which uses an electric current and a chemical solution to bond the silver ions to the surface. It provides the brilliant appearance, high reflectivity, and superior electrical conductivity of solid silver at a fraction of the cost.
Copper plating is the process of electrolytically depositing a layer of copper onto the surface of a conductive object [1]. Unlike gold and silver plating, which are primarily valued for their luxury appearance, copper plating is highly valued for its excellent electrical conductivity, low cost, and superior thermal properties.
Nickel plating is the process of applying a layer of nickel onto a metallic or non-metallic object using an electrical current (electroplating) or a chemical reaction (electroless plating). It is one of the most widely used industrial finishes because it provides exceptional corrosion resistance, high wear protection, and a brilliant, reflective appearance.
Chromium plating (commonly known as chrome plating) is the technique of electroplating a microscopic layer of chromium onto a metal or plastic object. Chrome plating is rarely used as a standalone coating; instead, it is almost always applied as the final, ultra-thin topcoat over a foundational layer of electroplated nickel or copper.
Stellite coating (commonly referred to as hardfacing or cladding) is the process of applying a layer of a cobalt-chromium-based superalloy onto a base metal. Unlike gold, silver, copper, or nickel, Stellite cannot be applied using traditional liquid electroplating baths. Because it is a complex, heavy-duty alloy containing cobalt, chromium, tungsten, and carbon, it must be applied via high-temperature thermal spray, laser, or welding techniques to fuse the materials together.
Zinc plating (commonly called galvanizing when done via dipping, or electro-galvanizing when electroplated) is the process of applying a thin layer of zinc onto a metal fabrication, most frequently steel or iron. It is the world’s most popular method for budget-friendly rust prevention.
Aluminum plating can mean two completely opposite things in manufacturing: depositing aluminum onto another material, or plating another metal onto an aluminum object.
Pickling is a chemical metal surface treatment used to strip away impurities, rust, stains, and the crusty oxide layer (mill scale) left behind during high-temperature metalworking processes. By submerging or treating a metal part with an acidic solution known as pickle liquor, manufacturers chemically dissolve surface defects. This creates an ultra-smooth, uniform surface that is ready for subsequent finishing steps like electroplating, galvanizing, or painting.
Chemical milling (commonly known as chem milling or chemical machining) is a subtractive manufacturing process that uses temperature-regulated chemical etchants to selectively dissolve and remove material from a workpiece to achieve a desired shape or thickness. Unlike traditional CNC milling, which uses mechanical cutting tools to gouge out metal, chem milling uses chemical dissolution.
