Quite simply, coatings and finishes are a protective layer put on a component, sometimes for decorative reasons. Their primary function is to protect components from things such corrosive liquids, weathering or simply just damage. Acting as a barrier they stop the components base material from being compromised. Carbon steel, for example, is prone to rusting, so a coating or finish helps inhibit this from happening. The choice of finish applied is mainly dependent upon end use application, and Whale Engineering is well placed to provide advice and assistance as part of the design and production process subject, of course, to end use application.

Coating processes provided by Whale Engineering include:

Many of the above processes are done in two methods: Electroplating and Electroless. Where the requirement is for one metal to be deposited onto another, electroplating is traditionally the most commonly used method. With this process an electrical circuit is created using a cathode, anode and an electrolyte solution. The circuit created deposits atoms from the anode -the plating material – onto the material that is being plated, the cathode. It is a process that allows significant control over the thickness of the material deposit being applied.

Increasing in popularity is Electroless. With this method, components are dipped into different solutions to achieve the desired coating. The first stage of the process sees the component cleansed using and alkaline cleaner before being rinsed with water. Once clean it is dipped into coating substance, the process being repeated until the correct thickness of coating is achieved. It is often used for components where a thicker and more substantial coating is required.

Each coating is strictly examined to make sure there are no weak areas and that the correct coating thickness has been achieved.