Wheel and Spin Polishing

Spin polishing like wheel polishing and other kind of polishing like barrel polishing , usually induces scratches with directional characteristics, which must subsequently be smoothed by buffing. Any subsurface porosity only 25 to 50 micrometer below surface, which is encountered with some coatings, usually is exposed by wheel polishing or leveling copper is required to avoid defective electroplates when subsurface pores are exposed.

Vibrating tube loaded with plastic media, such as polyurethane impregnated with an abrasive such as aluminum oxide, smooth the surfaces of die castings in 4 hr or less when frequencies are in the range of 1600 3000 cycles/min and amplitudes are adjusted to 0.8 to 6.4 mm. Vibratory machines produce a finish of 0.15 to 0.20 micro meter. Media and zinc parts are usually loaded in a ratio of 5:1 to 6:1. Surface gouges might occur with a smaller ratio.

Small parts adaptable to barrel cleaning and plating are frequently prone to blistering when they are heated after barrel plating if surface defects are not removed beforehand. Vibratory finishing appears to be the best method of erasing defects, densifying surface layers before plating, and minimize process blistering. The use of dual shaft machines reduces the time required for removing surface defects.

Many kind of cleaning to the anodized material also can be treated like dip in chemicals such as acid dip cleaning, electrolitic cleaning and using a mechanical cleaning process.

Other articles:

• Aluminum as raw material of anodizing
• Difficulties of Aluminum Plating