PLATING & CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENTS
Industrial Plating and Chemical Surface Treatments
Fabrication doesn't end at welding. To ensure longevity and performance, metal components must be chemically treated to resist corrosion and maintain conductivity. Graphie provides a comprehensive suite of Plating and Surface Treatment solutions for steel, aluminum, and copper components.
Whether you need a sacrificial coating for outdoor steel structures or a conductive finish for electrical busbars, we deliver parts that are chemically processed and ready for installation.
Steel Protection: Zinc and Galvanization
For carbon steel components, preventing rust is the priority. We offer two distinct levels of protection depending on the environment:
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Zinc Plating (Zinquage): The standard industrial finish for brackets, fasteners, and indoor mechanical parts. It provides a clean, bright finish and excellent corrosion resistance for standard environments.
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Galvanization: For structural steel used outdoors or in harsh environments, we provide hot-dip galvanization services. This creates a thick, metallurgical bond that protects the steel for decades, even if the coating is scratched.
Aluminum Treatment: Chromate Conversion
Unlike anodizing which insulates the metal, Chromate Conversion (often referred to as Chemical Film or Alodine) protects aluminum from corrosion while maintaining electrical conductivity.
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Applications: Ideal for electronics chassis, grounding points, and shielded enclosures where electrical continuity is required.
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Paint Base: It also serves as an excellent primer, ensuring superior adhesion for powder coating or paint.
Stainless Steel Care: Passivation and Weld Cleaning
Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant only if its surface is pure. Manufacturing processes like welding and machining can introduce iron contaminants that lead to rust.
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Passivation: We treat stainless steel parts with an acid solution that removes free iron from the surface and promotes the formation of the natural passive oxide layer, restoring its full corrosion resistance.
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Electrochemical Weld Cleaning (Surfox): For welded stainless steel assemblies, we use the Surfox electrochemical cleaning system. This instantly removes heat tint and weld discoloration while simultaneously passivating the heat-affected zone, leaving a clean, uniform finish without the hazards of pickling paste.
Electrical Plating: Tin (Étamage)
For the energy and transport sectors, we specialize in Tin Plating (Étamage) for copper and aluminum busbars and electrical contacts.
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Benefits: Tin plating prevents oxidation of the conductor (which increases resistance) and ensures low contact resistance at bolted joints. It also improves solderability for electronic components.
