Various Finishing Options Available for Steel Fabrication Projects
Steel has so many incredible advantages. It is strong, durable, versatile, recyclable and more. However, its high susceptibility to corrosion damage remains a major concern for many project owners. For this reason, preemptive measures must be taken to prevent corrosion of steel products. This is where steel finishing comes in.
If you need steel products for an upcoming project, it is important to specify the finish you want in terms of practical function and aesthetics. This will help you eliminate the risk of receiving a finished product that does not match your particular needs.
Steel fabricators use a variety of finishing techniques to create parts that meet the exacting needs of their clients. Keep reading to get acquainted with the most common finishing options available for your steelwork.
Painting
It involves a single or sequential coating application of liquid paint over the surface of the steel. The paint coating forms a smooth, uniform finish that protects the substrate steel from the elements while enhancing the beauty of the final products.
Painting does not require highly specialised skills and equipment to perform well. This explains why it is by far one of the most popular ways to finish steel products.
Powder Coating
Here, a free-flowing dry powder is applied to the surface of bare steel via an electrostatic process and then cured in an oven under high heat. Unlike traditional painting, this steel finishing process does not require the use of water or chemical-based solvents to form a protective or decorative coating on substrate steel. Hence, it is referred to as a dry finishing process.
Galvanisation
This is another popular finishing process for steel products. It usually involves immersing bare steel in hot, molten zinc to form a corrosion-resistant coating of zinc over the steel. Galvanic protection uses the principle that zinc resists corrosion better than noble metals such as steel and iron and is, therefore, a good candidate for preventing corrosion of their more corrosion-prone counterparts.
Electroplating
Sometimes called electrodeposition, electroplating involves depositing a coating material on steel in an electrolytic solution — electrolytic solutions are those that can conduct an electric current. This is done for protection or decorative purposes.
When it comes to steel finishing, there's no such thing as the best finish type for every application. In choosing the right finishing process for your project, you'll need to consider your project-specific requirements. The expert staff at a steel fabrication shop near you can help you make an informed choice regarding how your steel products should be finished.
For more information on steel fabrication, contact a company near you.