Detailed explanation of stainless steel pipe surface treatment process
Posted by： Hangao Time：10/10/2024 1:04:56 PM
Stainless steel pipes are widely used in various industries due to their superior corrosion resistance, strength and aesthetics. The surface treatment of stainless steel pipes can not only improve their appearance, but also significantly enhance their durability, oxidation resistance and anti-corrosion properties. Below we will introduce several common stainless steel pipe surface treatment processes in detail to help you better understand and choose the appropriate treatment method.
1. Pickling and passivation
Pickling uses an acidic solution to remove oxide scale, rust spots and other contaminants on the surface of stainless steel pipes to restore the original color of the metal. Pickling is usually followed by passivation to form a protective oxide film, thereby enhancing the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. This process is often used for the preliminary treatment of stainless steel pipes to ensure that their surfaces are clean and corrosion-resistant.
2. Polishing treatment
Polishing treatment is divided into three types: mechanical polishing, electrolytic polishing and chemical polishing.
Mechanical polishing: The surface of stainless steel is polished by mechanical equipment to make it smooth and flat, and improve its reflectivity. It is often used for products with high requirements for appearance.
Electrolytic polishing: The tiny bumps on the surface of stainless steel are removed through electrochemical reaction to obtain a high-gloss mirror effect. It is often used for products with strong decorative effects.
Chemical polishing: Use chemical agents to treat the surface of stainless steel to achieve a uniform bright effect, suitable for mass production.
3. Sandblasting
Sandblasting is the process of grinding the stainless steel surface with high-speed sand particles to remove stains such as rust and scale on the surface, while creating a uniform matte effect on the surface. This process can enhance the adhesion of the stainless steel surface and is suitable for subsequent spraying or coating processes.
4. Brushed treatment
Brushed treatment is a common decorative surface treatment. By using sandpaper or grinding wheel to draw continuous fine stripes on the stainless steel surface, it not only increases the beauty of stainless steel, but also improves its anti-slip performance. Brushed effect is often used in stainless steel elevator doors, decorative panels, etc.
5. Coating treatment
Coating treatment is to deposit a layer of metal or non-metallic film, such as titanium, titanium nitride, etc., on the surface of stainless steel through PVD (physical vapor deposition) or CVD (chemical vapor deposition) technology. This can not only enhance the wear resistance of stainless steel, but also achieve rich color effects. It is often used in high-end decorative materials or high wear-resistant equipment.
6. Spraying treatment
Spraying is to spray anti-corrosion paint or decorative coating on the surface of stainless steel pipes to further improve their corrosion resistance and aesthetics. The sprayed coating can be selected in different colors and textures according to actual needs, and is commonly used in outdoor equipment or architectural decoration.
7. Blackening treatment
Blackening treatment is a chemical oxidation process that produces a black oxide film on the surface of stainless steel, which can not only improve the anti-corrosion performance, but also has a unique decorative effect. Blackening treatment is mostly used in mechanical parts or industrial equipment.
8. Is heat treatment considered a surface treatment process?
Heat treatment is generally not a surface treatment process in the strict sense, but a process for overall material performance. It changes the internal structure of stainless steel materials through heating, insulation, cooling and other steps, thereby improving its overall performance such as strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Although heat treatment will affect certain properties of the material surface, it mainly targets the internal structure of the material rather than the surface appearance or specific surface properties.
Common heat treatment methods include annealing, quenching, tempering, normalizing, etc. Their goal is to adjust the physical and mechanical properties of stainless steel rather than directly improve the surface properties or appearance.
In contrast, surface treatment is usually a physical, chemical or mechanical means to process the surface of the material, such as pickling, polishing, sandblasting, coating, etc., in order to change the physical and chemical properties (such as finish, wear resistance, corrosion resistance) or appearance of the material surface. Therefore, heat treatment cannot be completely regarded as a surface treatment process, but in some cases, the two can be used in combination to simultaneously improve the overall performance and surface properties of the material.
There are many different surface treatment processes for stainless steel pipes, each of which has its specific application areas and advantages. Whether it is to improve the appearance of the product or to enhance its corrosion resistance and durability, it is crucial to choose the right surface treatment method. According to actual needs, the reasonable selection of treatment processes can bring longer service life and better application effects to stainless steel pipe products.
Guangdong Henkel Technology Co., Ltd.
Recommended reading: Laser welding production line
Hotline: 189-4243-7326
