Back to Basics – Why Use Metal Finishing

If you stopped to take a close look around your office, work area or home, you would find dozens of metal items that have had their surfaces altered or finished in one way or another. Metal finishing is an important part of many industries and manufacturing processes.

Metal finishing is a segment of the larger category of surface finishing. The metal finishing industry includes electrolytic and electroless plating, electropolishing, conversion coatings, polishing, buffing, painting and many other processes that alter the surface of the metal substrate.

Metal Finishing Uses

If you combine metal, oxygen and moisture, you will get corrosion. Corrosion protection is one of the primary reasons that manufacturers utilize metal finishing. Without it, products made from metals would last only a fraction of their lifespan. To avoid corrosion and add longevity, most metals have some type of finish applied to their surface.

Finishing is used to enhance electrical properties and to form and shape components. Sometimes finishes are used to meet consumer demand for a decorative appearance. Often manufacturers use metal finishing to enhance qualities of the metal including:

• the bonding of adhesives or organic coatings
• solderability
• wear resistance
• lubricity
• conductivity
• hardness
• appearance

Industries Involved

There are many industries that use metal finishing on their parts and products. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, of all the markets using metal coating in the last decade the automotive industry was by far the largest metal finishing consumer, comprising 40% of the metal working market. Electronics was the second largest segment, with around 15% market share. Other industries that utilize metal finishing include computers, communications, household appliances, tools, instruments, jewelry, medical equipment, aircraft, aerospace, equipment manufacturers and recreational equipment.

Metal parts and products are important in our daily lives, so it is clear why the finishing process must be done correctly. AST has been in the surface finishing business for fifteen years and is an industry leader. Please visit www.astfinishing.com to learn more.