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Common Substrates for Surface Finishing

In the surface finishing industry, there are several different kinds of metals that are considered “traditional.” These metals are typically abundant, frequently used across a variety of sectors, and are typically cheaper to plate or finish than their less-common counterparts. Metals such as tin, copper, and aluminum can all be considered common substrates due to their natural abundance and frequency of use across a multitude of industries.

Common substrates typically present little-to-no challenges when applying surface finishes, and therefore these processes are typically the most cost-effective option for strengthening and increasing the aesthetic appeal of your components.

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Aluminum

Aluminum

Lightweight, malleable, and surprisingly durable, Aluminum is frequently used by our clients in the Aerospace and Defense industries who are constantly looking to build their equipment lighter and...
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Aluminum Silicone Carbide (ALSIC)

Aluminum Silicone Carbide (ALSIC)

AlSiC is a silver-grey material that is typically used for its adjustable coefficient of thermal expansion and its unique strength-to-weight ratio. AlSiC is lighter than pure aluminum, while being as...
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Brass

Brass

Brass is one of the most common alloys of copper, comprised of Zinc and Copper. Brass can come in a variety of colors and possess a range of different qualities, depending on its Zinc to copper...
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Copper

Copper

Copper is ductile, soft, and possesses several desirable thermal qualities that many industries seek after. However, the most notable quality about copper is that it is the second-best conductor of...
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Copper/Moly

Copper/Moly

Cu-Mo-Cu, or Copper Moly, is a metal composite comprising of a middle (core) layer of Molybdenum and two outer (clad) layers of copper. The compound is made through a process called roll-bonding,...
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Bronze

Bronze

Bronze is comprised of a combination of copper and tin, but arsenic, silicon, aluminum, and other metals have been used to give the alloy different qualities. Bronze is typically used for its...
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Magnesium

Magnesium

Magnesium and its various alloys are common structural materials for a variety of manufacturing industries. Sectors like the automotive and aerospace industries have reaped the benefits of...
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Nickel

Nickel

Nickel is a fully-recyclable, corrosion resistant, and highly ductile metal that is frequently electroplated to enhance its already desirable physical and chemical properties. Nickel has a wide range...
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Phosphor Bronze

Phosphor Bronze

Also referred to as Tin Bronze, Phosphor Bronze is a copper alloy that combines the anti-corrosive properties of tin with the anti-abrasive qualities of Phosphorus into a ductile, conductive, and...
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Steel / Stainless Steel

Steel / Stainless Steel

Steel is the most commonly used and abundant metal on our planet. Steel, Stainless steel, and their never ending list of alloys have been a staple in the metal manufacturing industry since their...
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Benefits of Metal Finishing

Although metal finishing is a simple idea, it is one that can accomplish many goals, including >>

 

From its humble beginnings with our ancestors to the advanced techniques we employ today, metal finishing is part of our unending collective effort to improve the performance of the tools we build and the beauty of the things we create.

  • Preventing Corrosion
  • changing conductibility
  • altering emissivity
  • enhancing or reducing conductivity
  • modifying lubricity
  • improving wear
  • increasing hardness
  • improving heat response & resistance
  • enhancing aesthetic appearance
  • Preventing Corrosion
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