Surface treatments are essential in aerospace manufacturing because their components are exposed to extremely harsh conditions, including big temperature changes, moisture and mechanical stress. Here are six treatments that are commonly used in aerospace applications:
Corrosion Protection
Corrosion aerospace surface treatments, like www.poeton.co.uk/about/industries/aerospace-defence, are used to stop the metal from degrading through moisture, salt, and harsh weather. Common methods include conversion coatings, anodising, and specialised primers that create a barrier between the metal and its surroundings. .
Pre-braze Treatments
Pre-braze surface treatments are used to prepare the metal components before they are joined together through brazing, because contaminants or oxide layers can stop proper bonding and reduce the joint strength.
Typical processes include chemical cleaning, etching, and controlled oxidation removal, which help improve the flow of filler material during brazing.
Refurbishment
Refurbishment treatments are used to restore worn or damaged components so they can be reused rather than replaced – like stripping old coatings, repairing surface damage, and reapplying protective layers.
Surface Enhancements
Surface enhancement treatments, like shot peening, are designed to improve upon the mechanical properties.
Anodising
Anodizing is widely used in aerospace, particularly for aluminium parts, to improve corrosion resistance and surface hardness while keeping parts a relatively low weight. The process creates a controlled oxide layer that becomes part of the material rather than sitting on top of it.
Cadmium Replacements
Cadmium plating has historically been used in aerospace for corrosion protection and lubricity- especially on fasteners. It is often replaced nowadays by zinc-nickel and other alloy coatings that are better for the environment.
