Understanding Part Decorating: AKA the Metal Finishing Process

Laszeray Technology is trusted for high-quality custom injection molding, CNC services, and precision machining. We also provide secondary and finishing manufacturing operations, including powder coating, anodizing, and plating—often referred to as part decorating. In addition to trimming, labeling, polishing, laser engraving, and other services, these steps yield a more complete machining finishing process.

What Is Part Decorating?

Part decorating or finishing alters a part’s surface to achieve characteristics such as improved appearance, hardness, friction control, solderability, or resistance to chemicals and corrosion. Finishing can help in repairing a part as well. The finishing process can involve removing or reshaping the surface of a part (via sandblasting, laser ablation, etc.) or adding to or altering it (using powder coating, anodizing, electroplating, and other processes).

Laszeray Technology specializes in the following machining methods and techniques for part decorating:

• Powder Coating: A dry powder is used to coat a surface, rather than liquid paint. The resulting coating is harder, thicker, and more durable than standard paint, and it won’t run or sag, while little or no Volatile Organic Compounds are released. Powder coating is suited for horizontal and vertical surfaces.

Typically sprayed on, the coating sticks to parts via electrostatic charging and electrical grounding and is then heat-cured to form a solid. Powder coating is often used for household appliance, automotive, and bicycle part applications. The most common types include thermosetting and thermoplastic powder coatings, which can use various common polymers.

• Anodizing: Anodizing involves applying a conversion coating by combining electrical current and chemicals. The electrochemical process converts the metal surface into an anodic oxide finish that offers corrosion-resistance and decorative properties. It is most suited for aluminum but can be applied to titanium, magnesium, and other nonferrous metals.

Anodizing differs from painting or plating in that the aluminum oxide becomes integrated with the underlying substrate when the metal is immersed in an acid electrolyte bath and exposed to an electric current. The coating will not chip or peel. Secondary processes like sealing and coloring can be performed later, as micropores on the surface are easily filled with dyes and other substances.

• Plating: Plating is a finishing process used for injection molded and CNC machine parts that involves depositing metal onto a conductive surface. It can produce decorative metal parts. The process can also improve solderability, resistance, strength, adhesion, and other properties. It is often used to apply gold, silver, chrome, nickel, zinc, rhodium, and other plating materials.

Plating methods include electroplating, in which an ionic metal with electrons is applied via electrodeposition to form a non-ionic coating. It can be used to increase a part’s thickness as well. A chemical process, electroless plating is completed using an aqueous solution to apply a thin metal sheet to a solid surface. Heat and pressure are then used to fuse the two together.

Secondary and Finishing Operations from Laszeray Technology

At Laszeray Technology, LLC, we are experienced in highly technical finishing processes such as part decorating. We offer powder coating, anodizing, and plating services when manufacturing custom machined parts to customers’ specifications. To learn more, call 440-582-8430 or request information or a quote online.