12 Types of Metal Surface Finishing Treatment Processes

Taking it back to basics, at CWST we are experts in metal surface finishing treatment processes. But what does this really mean? Simply, that we have vast knowledge in a range of industrial processes that alter the surface of metal to achieve a certain property, for example, to improve appearance, adhesion, corrosion resistance, hardness and much more. These can be categorised by how they affect the subject, either removing/reshaping the finishing, or adding/altering the finishing. At CWST we offer 12 key metal surface finishing treatment processes, each increasing performance and life of metal components by protecting against premature failure, due to fatigue, corrosion, stress, fretting, friction and galling, as well as support against environmental and thermal variation. Our high-performance metal surface finishing treatments include the following. Controlled Shot Peening Tensile stresses induced during welding, grinding, machining and heat treatment are replaced with beneficial compressive stresses proven to prevent fatigue and stress corrosion cracking. This cold working process is applied using spherical media known as ‘shot’, as each piece hits the surface it creates an indentation where the surface will attempt to yield but is restrained by the substrate material. This in turn causes the material to compress, creating added stress – making the surface crack resistant and removes any prior manufacturing tensile stress.