What are the common used surface treatments for cnc machining aluminum parts?

Aluminum is a common used material for cnc machining various custom parts. Aluminum plate are featured by low density, light weight, high strength, corrosion resistance, good thermal conductivity and good processing properties. Aluminum parts are usually used in aerospace, such as aircraft parts, aircraft engine covers; automotive industry, such as car body panels, radiators, wheels; automated manufacturing equipment, medical equipment, electronic financial equipment, etc.

After the aluminum parts are processed, some aluminum parts have requirements for the surface. For example, there are requirements for the surface finish of the aluminum parts, and they are required to be free of corrosion. They are used as appearance parts. At this time, we need to perform surface treatment on the aluminum parts. Let’s take a look at what surface treatments are commonly available on aluminum parts.

Sandblasting

1. Sandblasting Aluminum alloy sandblasting is a surface treatment method that sprays abrasives from high-pressure sandblasting equipment onto the surface of aluminum alloys. Sandblasting can achieve good roughness on the surface of the aluminum alloy, and at the same time remove scale, grease and other pollutants on the surface, thereby achieving the purpose of cleaning the surface. Aluminum is sandblasted whenever a satin or matt finish is required and can remove traces of machining and give the aluminum a uniform appearance.

Anodized

2. Anodizing treatment Anodizing is another post-treatment method used to improve the surface finish of aluminum. This is a simple electrochemical process that increases its hardness, corrosion resistance, wear resistance and aesthetics by forming an oxide layer on the surface. Anodizing can not only be transparent anodizing, black anodizing, but also can be done according to Pantone color No. to do colored anodizing

Powder Coating

3. Electrostatic powder spraying Electrostatic powder spraying uses the principle of electrostatics to adsorb powder particles on the surface of the charged workpiece. During the spraying process, the powder is charged by the spray gun electrode, sprayed out through the nozzle, and on the surface of the charged workpiece. Forms an even coating. The electrostatic force causes the powder particles to move closer to the surface of the charged workpiece during the spraying process, forming a tight coating, thereby obtaining a surface with a uniform thickness, protecting the surface of the aluminum part from being easily bruised and scratched, and having an aesthetic effect.

Other surface treatments for aluminum parts such as brushing, electroplating, spray painting, chromate, etc.