Resources & Insights

Industry Insights & Expertise.

Expert guidance on metal finishing processes, industry best practices, and technical specifications

What is Chem Film (Alodine)?

Chem film or Alodine is a chemical conversion coating that’s mostly used to protect aluminum from corrosion. It’s primarily used to passivate aluminum as it protects this metal and serves as a base for paint coatings. It leaves aluminum unaffected, so it’s easier to put paint over it without changing

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electro nickel plating services aerospace metals

What is Electroless Nickel Plating?

Electroless nickel plating is a form of alloy treatment. The process was developed to increase resistance and hardness in a metal or plastic, but it can be plated over a wide variety of metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, mild steels, hardened steel, zinc die-cast, brass, and copper. Electroless

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hardcoat anodizing services aerospace metals

What is Hardcoat Anodizing?

Hardcoat anodize or hard anodize is a dense anodic coating of aluminum oxide. There are three types of aluminum anodizing. Type I is chromic acid anodize and has a thickness of 0.0001”. What is often referred to as sulfuric acid anodize are Type II in North America, as named by

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cadmium plating services aerospace metals

Cadmium Plating: What Is It and What Are Its Benefits?

Cadmium Plating is the coating process used for corrosion-resistant plating on steel. Cadmium is the soft silvery-white or bluish-gray metal similar to zinc and mercury often used in electric batteries, coatings, pigments, and electroplating. Because of its protective qualities, Cadmium Plating is a preferred coating for components utilized in aircraft

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bright dip anodizing aerospace metals

What is Bright Dip Anodizing?

The chemical process called Bright Dip anodizing is used to achieve a shiny, almost mirror finish similar to mechanical polishing. The method is used on aluminum to not only improve aesthetics but to also lengthen the lifespan of the treated aluminum part. Because Bright Dip Anodizing comes in a wide

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