Material

Anodized aluminum has been around for nearly a century, with some of the first documented uses of the processed metal occurring in the early 1920s when it was used to protect seaplanes from saltwater-related degradation. Since then, it’s been used … Read More

Also known as swarf, chips are a common byproduct of many manufacturing processes. Whether a manufacturing company is cutting, turning, knurling or sanding a workpiece, it will probably produce chips. But what are these chips exactly, and what purpose (if … Read More

Calendaring is a finishing process used in the manufacturing industry to create high-performance rubber, as well as other materials, for use in products such as gaskets, seals and O-rings. Rather than using standard rubber to produce products such as these, … Read More

It’s not uncommon for metal objects to feature a chemically treated surface. Electropolishing is one such process that uses both chemicals as well as electricity to treat the surface of metal objects. Also known as anodic or electrolytic polishing, it’s … Read More

A trip through the local hardware store will show a bewildering array of colors in finished metal parts, nuts, bolts, and fasteners. Each and every difference has a reason, so let’s take a few minutes to talk about the common … Read More

Have you heard of galvanized metal? From pipes and fencing to screws and sheet metal, countless metal products are galvanized during production. Unless you’re familiar with this metal finishing process, though, you might be wondering why it’s performed. Galvanization doesn’t … Read More

Statistics show steelmakers in the United States produced over 95 million tons of the iron-carbon alloy in 2018 — the industry’s highest level of production in over a decade. Consisting mostly of iron with about 0.03 to 1% carbon, it’s … Read More