Protecting your equipment requires taking the appropriate actions. While ongoing maintenance is essential, it cannot have a major effect if the machinery has not been manufactured and/or properly finished. In order to achieve a goal of longevity, therefore reducing maintenance and replacement costs, Massachusetts companies require every cog and wheel receive an industrial metal coating. It is the best solution to many environmentally based problems.
Types of Industrial Metal Coatings
Companies have sometimes been limited by their selection. The two current popular methods of industrial metal coatings are metal coating or electroplating and powder coating
Plating
The original protective coating was either electro or electroless plating. This method involves applying a thin coating of a specific pure, semi-precious or ultra-pure metal to the base substrate metal of the part or workpiece. By coating the surface of the base substrate, with another metal, the finishing company improves the overall qualities of the component.
Depending upon the choice of coating, companies using electroplating or electroless plating imbue the substrate surface with a variety of properties. The most sought after is corrosion protection. Metal coatings are one method of increasing the capability of the finished product to escape the ravages of a harsh environment. This can include both chemical and natural corrosive elements.
Other desirable qualities a component can receive from an industrial metal coating of silver, aluminum or gold are:
* Durability
* Longevity
* Tarnish resistance
* Surface hardness
* High electrical and thermal conductivity
* Good bonding
* Ductility
* Good wear resistance
Another method of metal coating for industrial purposes offers an inexpensive approach to accomplish the same results. This is powder coating.
Powder Coating
Powder coating, by standards in any Massachusetts finishing or fabrication shop, is a fairly recent process. It only dates back some 30 years. The choice of a powder coating can prove to be as effective as that of metal plating. Depending upon what metal powder coating you choose to cove the base metal with, the component so covered will possess the following characteristics:
* Protection against corrosion
* Prevention of chemical corrosion
* Reduction in the risks of environmental degradation of the part resulting from:
* Environmental chemicals
* Industrial chemicals
* Moisture
* Oxidation
* UV rays
* Enhances the longevity of the equipment
* Improves overall product durability
* A powder coating will amplify its ability to provide effective and efficient service.
Choosing the Right Industrial Metal Coating
Companies need to keep their equipment at peak operating efficiency. They need their operating system to function without ceasing production for problems that could have been remedied in the production stage. This is sufficient reason to consider the application of an industrial metal coating to all parts requiring it. In Massachusetts, finishing shops can opt for one of two methods – plating and powder coating, depending upon budget, preferences, metal substrate and intended use.
