Metals
Galvanically deposited metal layers to improve component characteristics.
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Which metallic layers are electrodeposited by Aalberts surface treatment?
Chrome (Cr)
Chrome is deposited in metallic form from an electrolyte, often in combination with copper and nickel (Cu-Ni-Cr coatings). In many cases, the surface is pre-treated by polishing or grinding. Aalberts surface treatment produces bright chrome, matt chrome and black chrome coatings.
- Properties
Chrome layers offer good corrosion protection with excellent appearance and high hardness.
A further increase of the corrosion protection and the wear resistance is possible with hard chrome.
- base material
Suitable base materials for chrome plating are non-ferrous and ferrous metals, stainless steel and die-cast zinc.
- Application
Chromium coatings are popular in the automotive, furniture and many other industrial sectors for their decorative appearance. Fields of application of hard chrome are heavily stressed workpieces such as brake discs, ball valves in pipelines or rollers and cylinders of all kinds in the printing industry, film production, paper production, the food industry and in mechanical engineering.
- Process Locations
Aalberts Surface Treatment GmbH
Eckweg 6
78048 Villingen-Schwenningen
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 7721 40444 0
Fax: +49 7721 40444 29
Write an email
Copper (Cu)
In an electrolytic process, shiny, fine crystalline and ductile copper layers are deposited. Copper serves as a base for other galvanic surfaces such as nickel. Copper-nickel (Cu/Ni) coating systems fulfil many requirements in terms of corrosion protection and decorative appearance.
- Properties
Copper has a good covering, a high ductility and a very good current and heat conductivity. Therefore, as a sub-layer, it counteracts tensions between the component and the layer system. Copper ensures good adhesion and provides a corrosion barrier in the combination coating. A copper layer is an ideal intermediate layer before nickel-plating and tin-plating. Copper plating has a levelling effect and a decisive influence on the gloss effect of the finished coating. Copper surfaces can be passivated subsequently.
- base material
The copper plating is suited for non-ferrous and ferrous metals, stainless steel and die-cast zinc.
- Application
Copper coatings alone are seldom needed, as copper tends to turn green, especially in moist air. However, it can serve as a painting substrate or as pre-treatment before other surface treatments. Components coated in this way are used for decorative purposes or in the electrical and electronics industries (e.g. connectors).
- Process Locations
Aalberts Surface Treatment GmbH
Eckweg 6
78048 Villingen-Schwenningen
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 7721 40444 0
Fax: +49 7721 40444 29
Write an email
DURALLOY®
DURALLOY® is an extremely hard, crack-free, precise, very thin and high-purity metallic chromium coating. Due to the low process temperature, there is no structural change of the base material. This essential advantage of the process ensures shape and hardness stability.
DURALLOY® coatings have a homogeneous nodular structure. Smooth and homogeneous transitions in the microstructure, without sharp edges, enable oil retention on the surface. Additional (duplex) coatings may be applied to improve dry-running properties or to meet other specific requirements.
- Properties
DURALLOY® coatings optimise frictional processes. They effectively contribute to protection against friction and vibration corrosion and thus significantly increase the wear resistance of materials, for example, when used in gears or shaft-hub connections. The nodular-textured surface of DURALLOY® coatings provides outstanding chemical resistance and material hardness for areas where conventional coating systems with comparable coating thicknesses are no longer sufficient.
- base material
The range of materials which can be finished using DURALLOY® includes steels up to 62 HRc and up to 15% chromium content, stainless steels, grey cast iron, sintered metals and bronze.
- Application
DURALLOY® coatings protect against pressure loads, inadequate lubrication, friction corrosion and vibration corrosion. They withstand high temperatures as well as corrosion and wear. They ensure low friction and dry lubrication. DURALLOY® coatings are particularly suitable for linear guides or ball bearings and are also suitable for components that are exposed to aggressive gases (rolling mills, metallurgy, defence technology).
The most important client sectors are: automotive, decorative areas, printing press manufacture, hydraulics, industrial gears, aerospace, medical technology, offshore sector, textile machines, rolling bearing technology, defence technology and machine tools.
- Process Locations
Aalberts Surface Treatment GmbH
Eckweg 6
78048 Villingen-Schwenningen
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 7721 40444 0
Fax: +49 7721 40444 29
Write an email
Gold (Au)
Transforming base metals into gold is an age-old dream of mankind that we cannot fulfil either. But we can gild metallic components, i.e. provide them with a layer of gold. During electroplating, the gold is deposited onto the conductive surface of the component from an electrolyte enriched with salts and gold ions, using a steady electrical current flow.
- Properties
Gold layers generally exhibit high ductility, tarnish resistance, good solderability, and low specific electrical resistivity. We offer conventional gold layers as well as gold/cobalt alloy layers, which are more wear resistant and harder.
- base material
Gold and gold cobalt are deposited on aluminium alloys, non-ferrous and ferrous metals and titanium materials. Only gold plated are additionally stainless steel and die-cast zinc.
- Application
Gold and gold / cobalt alloy coatings are for example suitable for connectors for the electronics industry, batteries, LED manufacturing, professional halogen lamps, aerospace components, radar equipment, and high temperature brazing.
- Process Locations
Aalberts Surface Treatment GmbH
Kronskamp 122
22880 Wedel
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 4103 80012 0
Fax: +49 4103 80012 29
Write an emailAalberts Surface Treatment Eindhoven B.V.
Hurksestraat 32
5652 AL Eindhoven
Niederlande
Tel.: +31 402 5076 07
Write an email
Nickel (Ni)
Nickel plating refers to the coating of metallic workpieces with a nickel layer. Nickel, however, has a bright silvery colour with a slightly yellowish hue. The nickel layer is deposited electrolytically from so-called nickel electrolytes.
- Properties
By means of special organic additives in the electrolyte and by varying certain process parameters, fine irregularities in the surface of the workpieces are flattened and a shiny surface is produced. Nickel plating increases electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance.
- base material
Non-ferrous and ferrous metals, stainless steel and die-cast zinc are nickel-plated by us.
- Application
Nickel-plating as a final coating for components is a possible alternative to chrome coatings in the decorative sector. As a final coating, nickel can be polished very well from matt to glossy. Nickel layers are in demand, above all in the automotive industry and in electrical engineering / electronics.
- Process Locations
Aalberts Surface Treatment GmbH
Eckweg 6
78048 Villingen-Schwenningen
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 7721 40444 0
Fax: +49 7721 40444 29
Write an email
Nickel sulfamate
Nickel sulphamate is a complex chemical compound used in electrolyte solutions to deposit relatively thick and pure nickel layers. The coating is suitable for repairing damaged and defective components.
- Properties
Nickel coatings from nickel sulfamate electrolytes (nickel sulfamate coatings) have a low residual stress, which can also be converted into compressive stress. They can be deposited in much thicker layers than classic nickel coatings. Nickel sulfamate coatings are very ductile and provide good protection against wear and corrosion attack. The coatings can also be machined without difficulty.
- base material
A nickel sulfamate treatment is suited for aluminium alloys, non-ferrous and ferrous metals and stainless steel.
- Application
Nickel sulphamate is especially recommended when extremely thick, stress-free coatings are needed. Such nickel coatings also serve as a primer for thermal spray coatings.
- Process Locations Locations not undefined
Silver (Ag)
In galvanic silver plating, silver is deposited onto current-conducting workpiece surfaces in electrolytes using silver salts and electrical current. The chemical composition of the electrolytes and the process parameters influence the coating properties.
- Properties
Silver coatings have very high electrical conductivity, good chemical resistance and high ductility. They are well suited for soldering, reduce contact resistance and have a self-lubricating effect.
- base material
We silver-plate aluminium alloys, non-ferrous and ferrous metals, stainless steel, titanium materials and zinc die-casting.
- Application
Due to their outstanding electrical conductivity, silver coatings are frequently used in the electronics, high-voltage and telecommunications industries, amongst others: electrical switches, high-voltage conductors or housings. In addition, silver is often used in the food industry and the chemical industry. For example, stainless steel fittings and shut-off valves are silver plated to prevent seizing and corrosion.
- Process Locations
Aalberts Surface Treatment GmbH
Eckweg 6
78048 Villingen-Schwenningen
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 7721 40444 0
Fax: +49 7721 40444 29
Write an emailAalberts Surface Treatment Eindhoven B.V.
Hurksestraat 32
5652 AL Eindhoven
Niederlande
Tel.: +31 402 5076 07
Write an email
Tin (Sn)
In galvanic tinning, tin is deposited onto current-conducting workpiece surfaces in electrolytes using tin salts and electrical current. As with silver plating, the chemical composition of the electrolytes, as well as the current and voltage, also influence the results of the coating here.
- Properties
Tin coatings are also good for soldering and have a high ductility. They have good electrotechnical properties and offer excellent corrosion protection, including on copper and steel. They are chemically resistant to organic acids in the absence of oxygen. Like silver coatings, tin coatings are self-lubricating.
- base material
At Aalberts surface treatment we tin-plate aluminium alloys, non-ferrous and ferrous metals, stainless steel, titanium materials and zinc die-casting.
- Application
Tinning is mainly for technical parts that must be electrically conductive, solderable and electromagnetically shielded: housings for electrical plugs, plug contacts. Self-lubricating bearings are also an application for both tin and silver coatings.
- Process Locations
Aalberts Surface Treatment GmbH
Eckweg 6
78048 Villingen-Schwenningen
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 7721 40444 0
Fax: +49 7721 40444 29
Write an emailAalberts Surface Treatment Eindhoven B.V.
Hurksestraat 32
5652 AL Eindhoven
Niederlande
Tel.: +31 402 5076 07
Write an email
Zinc (Zn)
Electrogalvanising is the most economical, most effective and most common process for achieving reliable corrosion protection. Processing takes place on a rack and in a drum.
- Passivations are available in blue, black, transparent and thick film.
- Topcoats (sealants) are possible options.
- Heat treatments (tempering) to remove hydrogen following the coating process can be carried out.
- Properties
Zinc coatings are decorative and functional. They have good temperature resistance and reliable corrosion protection. The coatings are Cr(VI) - free.
- base material
Galvanising is usually carried out on steel alloys.
- Application
Galvanic zinc is used in all conceivable sectors, such as the automotive industry, sanitary technology, construction and fittings industries as well as the metalworking industry, in areas with normal temperature loads right through to high corrosion protection requirements.
- Process Locations
Aalberts Surface Treatment GmbH
Untitzer Straße 6
07570 Wuenschendorf
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 36603 841 0
Fax: +49 36603 882 02
Write an emailAalberts Surface Treatment GmbH
Lutherstraße 18
08297 Zwoenitz
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 37754 505 0
Fax: +49 37754 505 24
Write an emailAalberts Surface Treatment AG
Industriezone Schächenwald
6460 Altdorf
Schweiz
Tel.: +41 41 875670 0
Fax: +41 41 875670 1
Write an emailAalberts Surface Treatment s.r.o.
Budovatelů 484
538 43 Třemošnice
Tschechien
Tel.: +420 469 617 631
Fax: +420 469 662 020
Write an email
Zinc-iron
The zinc iron coating is a galvanic coating procedure for technical and decorative surfaces. Passivations are possible as post-treatments in black or transparent. Subsequent application of a sealant, improves corrosion protection.
- Properties
Zinc-iron coatings result in a technical surface with decorative qualities. The corrosion protection is very good. The coatings have an increased temperature resistance and show their strength even under extreme temperature loads. Zinc-iron coatings are environmentally friendly because they are free of hexavalent chrome.
- base material
Base materials are steel alloys and ferrous materials, including cast iron.
- Application
Typical application opportunities can be found in the automotive industry, construction machinery industry, sheet metal processing, electrical engineering as well as instrumental and mechanical engineering.
- Process Locations
Aalberts Surface Treatment GmbH
Lutherstraße 18
08297 Zwoenitz
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 37754 505 0
Fax: +49 37754 505 24
Write an email
Zinc-nickel (ZnNi)
The galvanically produced zinc nickel alloy fulfils extremely high corrosion standards of the automobile industry. In state-of-the-art, fully automated systems, this process is carried out reliably. Following the coating, a Cr(VI)-free passivation can be carried out to protect the surface. Subsequently applied sealants and topcoats once again increase corrosion protection.
- Properties
Zinc-nickel coatings offer high, long-term corrosion protection, even with high thermal loading. Contact corrosion with steel parts in combination with aluminium is avoided with this coating.
Zinc-nickel coatings are very ductile. Coated products can be strongly mechanically formed without flaking and cracking of the ductile ZnNi layer. Depending on the part geometry and base material properties, investigations have shown that the surface coating can be flanged (formed ) up to 180° while maintaining a consistently high corrosion resistance.
- base material
Base materials are steel alloys and ferrous materials, including cast iron.
- Application
Classical applications of components with zinc-nickel coatings are engine compartments, chassis and underbody areas in automotive engineering, as well as the offshore sector.
- Process Locations
Aalberts Surface Treatment GmbH
Lutherstraße 18
08297 Zwoenitz
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 37754 505 0
Fax: +49 37754 505 24
Write an emailAalberts Surface Treatment s.r.o.
Gemerská 588
04951 Brzotín-Bak
Slowakei
Tel.: +421 58 78809 65
Write an email
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Selective coatingsSelective coatings
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Electroless Nickel platingElectroless Nickel plating
Functional finishing of metals by means of electroless nickel plating
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NanocoatingsNanocoatings
Small structures - great effect