Surface finishing by Australian Institute of Surface Finishing

The Australasian Institute of Surface Finishing is an industry association, catering for all types of surface finishers. This includes:

• Electroplating.
• Powder Coating.
• Anodising.
• Chemical coating.
• Organic coating.

The Australasian Institute of Surface Finishing (AISF) is a not for profit industry association, serving the Metal Finishing industry.

Electroplating - Electroplating is an electrochemical process used to deposit a metallic coating on the base material of an object by immersing it in an electrically charged solution so that a suitable low voltage electric current flows through it, causing the metallic coating to be attracted to the object being plated. Some of the more common electroplated coatings include brass, cadmium, chromium, hard chromium , copper, gold, nickel, silver, tin and zinc plating.

Powder Coating - Powder coating is an advanced method of applying a decorative and protective finish to a wide range of materials and products that are used by both industries and consumers. The powder used for the process is a mixture of finely ground particles of pigment and resin, which is sprayed onto a surface to be coated. The charged powder particles adhere to the electrically grounded surfaces until heated and fused into a smooth coating in a curing oven. The result is a uniform, durable, high-quality, and attractive finish. Powder coating is the fastest-growing finishing technology in North America , representing over 10% of all industrial finishing applications.

Anodising - Anodising successfully combines science with nature to create one of nature's best metal finishes. It is an electrochemical process that thickens and toughens the naturally occurring protective oxide. The resulting finish of Anodising , depending on the process, is the second hardest substance known to man, second only to diamond. The anodic coating is part of the metal, but has a porous structure which allows secondary infusions, (ie organic and inorganic colouring, lubricity aids, etc.)

Chemical Coating - Phosphate coatings are a porous crystalline coating of zinc, iron or manganese phosphate produced on ferrous metal surfaces by the reaction of surface metal to phosphate solution. These coatings are widely used for prolonging the life of organic coatings; providing good paint bonding; improving corrosive resistance and proving an excellent base for holding lubricants.

Organic Coating - Organic coating involves the process of depositing a pigmented coating on the surface of an object by dipping, flow coating, conventional spraying, electrostatic spraying and powder coating. Powder coating is the only technique that involves application of a powder; the remainders use a liquid paint. Application techniques include dip coating, conventional spraying, electrostatic spraying and powder coating.