Treatments & surfaces
The make-complete process included relieving stress, machining, grinding and surface treatment
Our range of treatments are designed to alter the microstructure of a material. Changes in the mechanical or electrical property of the material enables the correct hardness and stress relieving properties to be achieved. Our surface processes provide aesthetic colourisation or protective surfacing properties.
Direct and sub-contract: Aerospace • Packaging • Labelling • Motorsport • Tobacco cutting • Food • Stationery • Medical • Nuclear • Sub-sea Oil and Gas
Stress relieving
When a metal is produced it will be shaped, cast and processed to remove impurities. The manufacturing process creates stress within the crystalline structure of the material. When the material is later machined it will require heat treatment to relieve these stress factors and settle the structure. It is heated to a set temperature and then allowed to cool slowly. This process ensures the material can be finished to a high quality flat or straight surface.
- Essential post-manufacturing process
- Steels including stainless, aluminium and alloys
Annealing
The annealing heat treatment process is used to reduce the hardness of a material and increase its ductility prior to machining. Annealing involves heating a material above its recrystallisation temperature, the level of heat is held for a specific time and and then a controlled cooling phase. The process is applied when a material in its original state is too tough and brittle. The annealing process allows for different types of metals to become more workable, where necessary materials are re-hardened post-machining.
- Reduction in the hardness of a material
- Improved workability
Hardening
Case-hardening allows the core of the material re remain malleable with a thin layer of hardened metal on the surface. This process is typically applied after the component has been machined into its final form. High shear-force components such as gears, camshafts, locks and screws need to be case-hardened to ensure wear resistance at the surface.
If a component comprising medium and high carbon steels requires strength all the way through its core, we will apply a through-hardening process. This involves very high temperatures and rapid cooling via quenching in oil or water. Through-hardened components usually return for grinding after the hardening process.
- Critical process for strength reliant components
- Tool steels and security products
- Sprockets and gears, Knives and cutting blades, springs
Tempering
This heat treatment is applied after the hardening process and is designed to increase the toughness of iron-based alloys. It removes some of the hardening, returning the material back to a more malleable, less brittle state and relieve stress through the structure. The temperature of the tempering will vary depending on the requirement of the final component.
- Improved strength
- Less brittle and stress relieving properties
- Tool steels, blades and punches
Anodising
Anodising is an attractive finish available in a range of colours. It is used for aesthetics but also to provide resistance to corrosion. It can provide improved adhesion for paints and other colorisation methods. Standard anodising is a cosmetic colouring and sealant, protecting against oxidisation. If more wear-resistance is required then hard anodising provides a tough skin to the component making it practical but still light in weight. Anodised parts are common in motorsport where parts need to be both practical and decorative.
- Cosmetic finish with a choice of vibrant colours
- Anti-corrosion properties
Chemical Blacking
Chemical Blacking is also referred to as Black Oxide Coating and is a conversion coating process which does not increase the dimensions of the work piece. This makes the process suitable for components featuring threads or holes which require a tolerance fit with another part such as a bearing. There is a small anti-corrosion benefit and the result is a deep black finish typically seen on gears internal machine parts.
- Does not increase surface dimensions
- Deep and flat black, non-chip, no-glare finish
Surface treatments
We provide coatings an pretreatments which prepare base materials for improved wear resistance or corrosion prevention. For example titanium nitride, or Tinite, is used as an incredibly hard yet thin ceramic coating for titanium alloys, steels and aluminium. TiN provides surface protection and improve edge retention. It has an attractive golden finish and is non-toxic making it a suitable for medical applications.
- Wear or corrosion resistance
- Medical grade options available
GET IN TOUCH
If you prefer us to call you, simply request a call-back. We’ll be in touch within 24hrs for a no obligation chat.
