DTC51632 DTC FUSION N2 25 PageTurn - Flipbook - Page 31
SURFACE FINISHING
TECHNOLOGIES TO
WATCH
From plasma treatments to
nano coatings, how surfaces
are engineered for durability
and performance
In modern manufacturing,
performance is no longer just about
the core material. Increasingly, the
difference between a good product
and a great one comes down to
the surface. The treatment, coating,
or engineering of materials has
become central to durability, weight
reduction, efficiency, and even
sustainability.
and ice-phobic finishes are in
development for the aviation and
marine industries, offering potential
safety and efficiency benefits.
What This Means for Industry
As manufacturing moves toward
lighter, stronger, and more
sustainable designs, surface
engineering will continue to play
a defining role. Emerging finishing
technologies promise not just
protection, but more brilliant
performance.
For industries under pressure to
extend component life, reduce
waste, and maintain reliability in
demanding environments, surface
finishing is no longer an afterthought
— it is part of the engineering
solution
Plasma Treatments: Cleaner,
Stronger Bonds
Plasma technology is transforming
how industries prepare surfaces. By
altering the surface chemistry of
metals, plastics, or composites at a
molecular level, plasma treatment
improves adhesion without adding
weight or bulk. In the aerospace and
automotive industries, it is already
being used to ensure stronger
bonding of adhesives and coatings,
while reducing reliance on harsh
chemical primers.
Nano Coatings: Performance at the
Smallest Scale
Nano coatings are delivering a
significant impact in fields where
durability is paramount. By layering
protective films only nanometres
thick, manufacturers can build in
resistance to corrosion, abrasion, and
even microbial growth. Applications
stretch from marine components
exposed to saltwater to medical
devices requiring sterile protection
to tools that stay sharper for longer.
Thermal Spray Coatings: Extreme
Protection
In harsh operating environments,
thermal spray remains a goto technology. Whether it is
turbines enduring intense heat or
industrial machinery resisting wear,
spraying molten particles onto
surfaces provides a shield that can
dramatically extend the lifetime. As
sustainability pressures rise, thermal
spraying is increasingly being refined
to reduce energy consumption and
waste.
Functional Finishes for New
Demands
Not all surface finishing is solely
about durability. Anti-reflective
coatings improve optical
performance. Conductive finishes
enable the use of lighter
components in electronics and
defence applications. Hydrophobic
www.dtc-uk.com
30
