In the aerospace industry, the quality of a component’s surface can significantly affect its performance and safety. Even tiny imperfections can lead to mechanical failure. Surface finishing techniques make sure that the metal and composite parts meet strict standards.
Lapping
[Lapping is a precise finishing process used in aerospace surface treatments, like at www.poeton.co.uk/about/industries/aerospace-defence/, to make surfaces flat and smooth. During lapping, a part is rubbed against a soft or abrasive surface using a special liquid called a slurry, which contains tiny particles which gradually removes small amounts of material. Lapping is often used for parts that require extremely tight tolerances, such as engine components and aerospace instruments, because even a tiny imperfection can affect the performance.
Polishing
Polishing is the process of creating a smooth, shiny surface by rubbing it with a fine abrasive material. Unlike lapping, polishing focuses more on improving the appearance and reducing surface roughness than achieving perfect flatness.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Ultrasonic cleaning uses high-frequency sound waves in a liquid to clean parts. The sound waves create tiny bubbles that remove dirt and other contaminants from the surface, even in small crevices and holes. This method is important in aerospace because it makes sure that all parts are completely clean before assembly or coating.
Passivation
Passivation is a chemical process that improves how metal surfaces resist corrosion, especially stainless steel. In this process, the metal is treated with a mild acid solution that removes impurities from the surface, allowing a protective oxide layer to form naturally, which protects the metal from rust and degradation.
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