During tumble finishing at JR Metal Works, large batches of small parts are placed into a vibratory tub with abrasive media and water. The vibration causes the media to grind against the parts. The mass finishing process can be used to smooth burrs, descale, remove grease and dirt, and polish metal surfaces. Vibratory tumbling also finishes internal features, such as holes. It’s a less expensive finishing method due to the limited labor it requires.

Tumbling benefits:

• Improves safety
• Results in fewer rejected parts
• Enhances both aesthetics and part performance
• Produces longer-lasting parts

Sandblasting is a finishing process that uses substantial speed and pressure to spray abrasive, sand-sized material across a surface. The technique will clean, shape, or change the smoothness or roughness of a part. Sandblasting is often used when a part is corroded or has been previously painted. It can effectively remove stubborn paint, coatings, rust and contaminants without damaging the underlying metal.

Sandblasting benefits:

• Ensures easy assembly
• Improves the bonding effectiveness of a metal surface and coating
• Extends a coating’s longevity

Bead blasting is the process of smoothing a part’s surface by shooting very small, spherical pellets at it. Unlike other abrasive blasting processes, bead blasting often utilizes a glass medium for some protection of the surface while still masking any imperfections. An environmentally-friendly process, bead blasting is the preferred choice to achieve a smooth, uniform surface finish with a “dull” or “satin” appearance.

Bead Blasting benefits:

• Maintains a part’s base color, keeping surface brighter
• Serves as cost-effective, less aggressive finish
• Removes debris and surface contaminants
• Provides a safe finishing option for delicate parts more prone to damage
• Improves part durability

Using a belt grinder, line graining adds a linear pattern to parts to create a uniform surface. The process improves aesthetics by removing defects, scratches, surface porosity and fingerprints.

Graining benefits:

• Helps prep surface for paint
• Removes sharp edges and burrs for safer handling
• Reduces the appearance of imperfections

When part marking, JR Metal Works uses laser technology to apply text, codes or symbols to a component’s surface. The markings are permanent and will last as long as the part itself.

Components need identifiers for many reasons: safety, differentiation between similar-looking parts, tracking purposes, loss prevention, and more. Traceability requirements have become more common across a wide range of industries, including the aerospace and defense sectors. JR Metal Works’ part marking services ensure your parts will conform to any and all applicable standards.

The most common identification forms include serial numbers, date codes, lot codes, bar codes, QR codes, and sequential numbering.

Part Marking benefits:

• Prevents errors during product assembly
• Helps track parts used in harsh environments
• Eliminates counterfeiting
• Ensures efficiency in the event of a recall
• Allows for lifetime traceability

After a workpiece has been fabricated, debris and surface contaminants that remain can compromise its natural corrosion resistance. Passivation is a chemical treatment, typically used on ferrous materials, that removes miniscule traces of iron and carbon from a part’s surface. The process involves a thorough cleaning followed by the application of an oxidizing agent. Passivation is commonly required in the process of fabricating parts for the defense, medical and aerospace industries.

Passivation benefits:

• Prevents product contamination
• Reduces the need for future maintenance
• Increases a part’s longevity
• Doesn’t produce any physical changes

During the powder coating process, dry paint is applied through electrostatic charge and then cured under heat. The uniform finish is available in customizable colors and can be textured, matte or glossy. Applied for functional, protective and decorative purposes, powder coating is an environmentally-friendly finishing process.

Powder Coating benefits:

• Delivers a thicker, more durable coat than paint without any runs or drips
• Covers small surface defects
• Protects against scratching, chipping, corrosion, and fading, extending the life of the part 
• Achieves a smoother, more consistent appearance than paint
• Reduces need for future repairs and restoration

Anodizing is an electrochemical finishing process that forms an oxide surface layer, most commonly on aluminum parts. This is accomplished by immersing the part in an acid electrolyte (chemical solution), such as sulfuric acid, and passing a current through the part.

Benefits:

• Increases corrosion and abrasion resistance
• Provides better adhesion for paint and primers
• Delivers significant maintenance and operating savings through increased service life

Chem film, sometimes called Alodine or iridite, is a chromate conversion coating that is primarily used to passivate aluminum. After the gel is applied through brushing, dipping, or spraying, the surface of the metal undergoes a chemical reaction, transforming it into a protective layer. The finish is often the preferred treatment for parts used in aerospace and defense applications.

Benefits:

• Converts metal’s surface into a durable, corrosion-resistant finish
• Preserves electrical conductivity
• Provides better adhesion for paint and primers
• Requires fewer steps than many other finishing processes

Upon completing a fabrication project, paint is often applied to parts. Using a liquid spray gun, paint is wet-blasted until a part is evenly coated, adding color and a protective layer. The popular finishing technique offers both a functional and aesthetic value.

Benefits:

– Prevents corrosion

– Offers a wide range of customizable color options

– Creates a smooth, uniform appearance

Hardcoat anodizing is an electromechanical process of applying a dense anodic coating of aluminum oxide using a sulfuric acid bath that has been cooled to nearly absolute zero. Because of the extra protection it provides under extreme conditions, the finishing process is commonly used on parts for the aerospace, defense, and medical device industries.

Benefits:

• Offers superior abrasion and corrosion protection
• Promotes sterilization properties
• Enhances dielectric strength
• Restores tarnished aluminum