Surface finishes play a crucial role in enhancing the functionality, durability, and aesthetics of die casting parts. Proper surface finish options make die cast parts have beautiful appearances and more stronger corrosion resistance and gain an added value. Of course, Die casting parts can have many surface finishing options. As what we are often known of, that is about 7 types. The below content will introduce 7 top surface finishes for die casting .
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What Are Surface Finishes For Die Casting?
The surface finishes for die casting means the texture, plating, powder-coated, painting, electrophoretic coating, anodized and passivation of the surface of a die-cast part. Die casting process is as an essential manufacturing process, which produces parts with excellent surface finishes with the mold. In order to add additional surface finishes, The die casting may be treated with various surface finish options. Here are some aspects of die casting surface finishes.
1. As-Cast Finish
The as-cast surface reflects the quality of the mold and the alloy material. In general condition, minor imperfections such as parting lines, ejector pin marks, or slight porosity and less hidden burrs produce during die casting process. But the surface of part appearance is fine and smooth.
2. Die Casting Surface Finish By Post Process
The surface of this type of die casting part is rough and need further processes to improve. Rough surface finishes can be improved through various post-processing methods, the below processese involved
- Polishing: Achieves a mirror-like or highly reflective finish.
- Grinding or Sanding: Removes imperfections or smooths out rough areas.
- Shot Blasting or Bead Blasting: Creates a uniform matte texture.
- Plating (Electroplating): Adds a layer of metal like chrome, nickel, or zinc for corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal.
- Painting or Powder Coating: Provides color, added protection, and a smoother or textured finish.
- Anodizing: Used mainly for aluminum parts, though less common for zinc.
- Passivation: Reinforce the finish surface of the die casting part, passivation help protecting the treatment layer better.
Die casting components for applications require excellent surface finishes. To meet its functionality and specific requirements , they will be secondary processed. As the most commonly die casting parts surface finish, we will use the right suface finish approche to treat them, and ehance its duability and functionality.
7 Top Surface Finishes for Die Casting
Die casting may have a surface finish avoid the surface of casting part generates rust. Because these die casting parts are often exposed on the air for a long time. In order to improve its surface and enhance the die casting parts durability, our experts suggest that die casting parts may do some surface finishes to enhance the life span and durability. Among current surface finishes, there is 7 top types to everyone reference as the below.
Polishing
Enhances smoothness and reflects light, creating a shiny appearance.
Plating (Electroplating)
- Chrome Plating: Adds a shiny, mirror-like finish and corrosion resistance.
- Nickel Plating: Improves hardness and corrosion protection.
- Zinc Plating: Provides sacrificial protection.
Powder Coating
Offers a durable, uniform finish with excellent resistance to wear and corrosion.
Painting
- Types: Spray painting, dip painting, or electrophoretic painting.
- Purpose: Adds color and a layer of protection.
- Applications: Appliances, equipment compoments and decorative parts
E-coating (Electrophoretic Coating)
Provides a uniform coating with excellent adhesion, even on complex geometries.
Anodizing
Though less common for zinc compared to aluminum, specialized techniques can anodize zinc for enhanced wear resistance and color finishes.
Shot Blasting/Bead Blasting
Using fast speed sand particle and tiny size steel beads to brush and beat off excess material on the surface of die casting parts.
