Surface Treatments

Surface treatment has become a basic element in ZMF’s production processes.

The company combines the most common operations – pickling, blasting and tumbling – and more specific treatments such as cleaning, chrome plating, anodising, nickel plating, coating, PVD, Teflon coating and tinning. These treatments are carried out to achieve a high aesthetic value or to produce one single protective cover. ZMF also perform specific thermal treatments to reduce/eliminate micro-structural modifications and to improve the strength of the alloy treated.
In order to ensure at all times the highest technological standards, due quality and more flexibility, ZMF are constantly involved in the selection and training of business partners specialised in finishing treatments.

Sandblasting
When the surface of a pressed and/or processed non ferrous metal alloy piece must be completely smoothened, the most efficient method is sandblasting or micro shot peening. ZMF performs closed dry cycle surface sandblasting treatments with double chamber automated of semi automated machinery. Metallic surfaces must have characteristics that guarantee an adequate anchoring of the protective coating. Sandblasting helps obtain the high surface quality that is necessary for the application of a protective coating against corrosion.
Nickel plating
In order to improve resistance and hardness of the surface of the metallic alloys a chemical or electrolytic nickel plating treatment is performed. It is a simple way to ennoble the forged component, making it polished, bright and aesthetically pleasing.
Tumble finish
A mechanical process used to remove residual burr and excess material. It is performed by immersing the components in specific vibrating barrels or tanks called tumblers, with specific shaped abrasive elements. According to the product used to tumble finish, different finishings can be obtained.
Anodizing
An electrochemical deposition process that involves the application of a protective oxide film. This film protects the aluminium alloy products and also gives them a characteristic and pleasant coloured finishing also called anodic oxidation. The bare metal reacts with the oxygen and transforms into aluminium oxide. Variations of this same treatment allow the application of other alloys processed by ZMF like titanium. A variety of colours and tonalities can be obtained but this is always influenced by the type of alloy utilized.
PVD
Vapour deposition is a surface deposition that can be performed using different film composed of alloys with a varying percentage of thickness of tens or hundreds of nanometres. The possibility of using materials of different nature and characteristics brings enormous advantages both for a decorative use thanks to the large number of colours obtainable and on a functional level thanks to the chemical and physical characteristics of the film.
Chromium plating
Galvanic immersion in a series of tanks that wash and degrease the piece and then cover it in chromium, this phase being called chromium plating, reduces possibility of corrosion, hardens the metal, makes it more resistant to wear and passivates it. It is a surface treatment that is very common especially in the field of hydraulics , taps and fittings.
Paintings
The painting of metals is a process of powder coating of a protective and aesthetic layer which allows to change the color and the surface finishing. Used mainly for aesthetic applications as it offers an almost infinite range of colors and finishes, also offers considerable protection from attack by chemicals and physical agents.