Aluminium
3 possible treatments for Aluminum
Microbeading
This technique involves uniformly projecting microbeads onto the surface of the material to strip it without altering it. This is a mechanical technique.
Simple & double brushed
Simple brushing: Consists of applying a brush in one direction to achieve the desired surface appearance. Visually, the material will show marks in only one direction. The visual appearance and texture will also depend on the brush chosen for this action.
Double brushing: Consists of applying a brush horizontally and vertically. This technique requires great expertise, aiming to achieve a finer and more uniform appearance than simple brushing. As with simple brushing, the visual appearance and texture will depend on the chosen brushes.
Polishing
Polishing by abrasion uses high-speed rotating discs made of various materials, optionally with polishing paste, to achieve a perfectly flat surface. The same result can be achieved by creating movements between two pieces with additives; this technique is called tribofinishing. It is a mechanical process.
Work-hardening polishing: Uses a tool called a burnisher equipped with balls or needles. This polishing is done through vibration.
After choosing between microbeading, brushing, or polishing, the aluminum must be anodized or painted:
Anodizing (also called anodizing) is a surface treatment that we apply to aluminum using electrolysis baths, the thickness of which will be between 5 and 10 microns. This operation makes it possible to offer aluminum increased resistance to wear, corrosion and heat.
Anodizing takes place in 4 distinct phases:
1
The first bath phase cleans the surface
2
The second bath phase will produce the oxidation essential for this process.
3
The 3rd bath will allow the color to be deposited if necessary, you can choose a colorless anodization but the treated metal will keep a gray color
4
The 4th and final bath will stabilize the operation to ensure it lasts over time.
Color palettes available for anodizing:
There are two methods for applying the paint:
Powder coating
This process consists of depositing powder on the surface to be painted and then putting it in an oven where it will be heated to 120 degrees.
Lacquering
This is the classic application of paint with a spray gun, the piece will not go into the oven with this application. It is specifically suitable for large pieces.