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Metal Finishing

Metal Finishing, Denver Colorado

In addition to the processes listed here AST also provides a full range of electroless nickel coatings, chromate conversion coatings and various anodizing processes. You can find information on these processes in other pages of this site.

Metal finishing is segment of the larger category of surface finishing. The metal finishing industry includes electrolytic and electroless plating, electropolishing, conversion coatings, polishing, buffing, painting and many other processes that alter the surface of the metal substrate. Most metals have some time of finish applied to their surface. A few of the reasons for finishing the surface of metals are:

Corrosion resistance
Wear resistance
Solderability
Improved lubricity
Improved conductivity
Different magnetic properties
Light absorption or reflectivity
Decorative

There are nearly 4,000 small businesses employing 100,000 people dedicated to metal finishing. It is difficult to find a piece of metal in your home or business that has not received some type of metal finishing. The National Institute of Standards and Technology estimated in 1995 that the cost of metallic corrosion in the United States was approximately $350 billion. The effective use of metal finishing could have a significant impact on reducing this cost. The life of your automobile would be weeks not years without surface finishing.

Some of the industrial sectors serviced by the metal finishing industry include:

Automotive
Aerospace
Communications
Computer
Electronics
Household appliances
Oil and Gas equipment
Medical equipment and instruments
Recreational equipment
Tool and die
Jewelry
Furniture
Pharmaceutical

The metal finishing industry has been very progressive in the environmental arena. In a joint effort with the Environmental Protection Agency the industry is working hard to develop meaningful environmental standards to ensure that we operate in an environmentally friendly manner. The industry is very much aware of the need to be good citizens within the communities where we operate.

ORI, Colorado Environmental Leader, and ISO 9001:2000 certified logos