Vocabulary Term

Definition

Abrasive Blasting

A mechanical preparation method that involves spraying a surface with dry particulate me
blasting is also called blast finishing.

Acid Cleaning

A solvent cleaning process that removes surface contaminants with hydrochloric and sulph

Acid Pickling

An aggressive form of acid cleaning intended to remove tough deposits of scale and oxide
enough to etch metal surfaces.

Acidity

The ability of a substance to neutralize bases. Acids have a pH value below 7.

Alkali

A non-acidic substance that dissolves in water and increases the pH of a solution. Alkalis a
scale.

Alkaline Cleaning

A chemical surface preparation method involving alkalines, substances that have a pH val
solutions displace particles, emulsify oils, and dissolve oxides.

Alkalinity

The ability of a substance to neutralize acids. Alkalines have a pH value above 7.

Anodic Electrocleaning

A type of electrolytic cleaning in which the part is positively charged and the cleaning actio
release of oxygen.

Anodizing

A conversion coating method used to make a surface passive and to increase the thicknes
surface of metal. The metal part forms the anode electrode of an electrical circuit, and exp
and wear resistance and and better coating adhesion than if left untreated.

Belt Sanding

A manual mechanical surface preparation process that involves contacting a part with a ro
sanding is ideal for flat surfaces in small quantities.

Blast Finishing

A mechanical preparation method that involves spraying a surface with dry particulate med
finishing is also called abrasive blasting.

Boronizing

A metallurgical surface preparation method by which metal is heated within a boron-rich e

Boundary Layer

A layer of contamination that covers a surface. Coatings tend to adhere to the boundary la
rendering the coating ineffective.

Buffing

A manual mechanical surface preparation process that involves contacting the part with a
wheel.

Carbonitriding

A metallurgical surface preparation method by which a metal is heated within a carbon- an

Carburizing

A metallurgical surface preparation method by which metal is heated within a carbon-rich e

Cathodic Electrocleaning

A type of electrolytic cleaning in which the part is negatively charged and the cleaning acti
release of hydrogen.

Chemical Preparation

A surface preparation method that involves the use of chemicals like alkalines and solvent

Chromating

A conversion coating method used to make a surface passive through the deposition of an
used to prevent corrosion, to retain conductivity, and as a primer and decorative finish.

Chromizing

A metallurgical surface preparation method by which metal is heated within a chromium-ric

Coating

A finish used for protective and decorative purposes. Coatings like paint or varnish are app
industrial manufacturing setting as a component of the part creation process.

Cold Trap

A cooling component used within a vapor degreasing system that causes the solvent to co
form for later reuse.

Vocabulary Term

Definition

Cold Working

The shaping of metal at temperatures much lower than the metal's molten state, often at r
working adds certain properties to the metal, such as increased strength and improved su

Conversion Coating

A surface preparation method that converts a surface into a thin layer with advantageous q
anodizing, and chromating are conversion coating methods.

Corona

A type of energized spark that generates ozone, which in turn can be used to energize sur

Corona Discharge Treatment

A surface preparation method used to energize low energy surfaces like plastics and glass
treatment, electric current ionizes air and creates an ozone-generating spark that raises th
surfaces.

Curing

The process during which a liquid coating becomes a dry, hard film. Ample curing is crucia
performance of a coating.

Deionized Water

A form of purified water that has mineral ions removed.

Dielectric

An electrical insulator that can be polarized by an electric field. A basic corona discharge t
an electrode, a dielectric that includes the surface and an air gap, and a grounded base.

Diffusion

A type of metallurgical surface preparation during which an element is diffused into the sur
particular quality. Diffusion processes like carburizing and nitriding are named after the ele
part.

Electrolytic Cleaning

A modified type of alkaline cleaning in which electricity is applied to the solution and the su
electrocleaning are types of electrolytic cleaning.

Flame Etching

A surface preparation method used to energize low energy surfaces like plastics and glass
flame from propane gas is passed over a surface causing hydrogen atoms to react with th
its energy level.

Hydrated Oxide

An oxide surface layer that has reacted with water. Hydrated oxide layers are very difficult

Ion Implantation

A metallurgical surface preparation method during which atoms of an element are added t
ionized particles. Ion implantation can be performed at lower temps than diffusion methods

Ionized Water

Water that retains naturally occuring mineral ions.

Mechanical Preparation

A surface preparation method involving physically removing layers. The largest category o
preparation involves cleaning with abrasives.

Mold Release Agent

A chemical used to help release a molded part from a mold cavity. Mold release agents ca
coating on a plastic surface.

Nitriding

A metallurgical surface preparation method by which metal is heated within a nitrogen-rich

Oxide

A chemical compound containing oxygen and one other element. The oxide layer is the m
surface treatment for a metal surface.

Ozone

A powerful oxidizing agent that, when harnessed and exposed to low-energy surfaces, can
surfaces. Corona discharge treatment is designed to generate ozone.

PH

A measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of a substance.

Phosphating

A conversion coating method in which phosphoric acid and phosphate salts react with the
insoluble phosphates. Phosphating imparts lubricity and corrosion resistance and generall
coating.

Plasma

A state of matter created by energizing a gas. Next to solid, liquid, and gas, plasma is the

Plasma Treatment

A surface preparation method used to energize low energy surfaces like plastics and glass

Vocabulary Term

Definition

pressurized gas is energized by an electrode and then directed at high velocity at a surfac
Polarity

The attractive forces that exist between two opposites like a coating and a surface. Some
and thus do not attract coatings.

Pressure Washing

The process of removing surface material and contaminants by spraying pressurized wate
washing is also called water blasting.

Primer

A preparatory coating used to prepare surfaces for other coatings. Primers encourage adh
longevity.

Reactivity

The tendency of a surface to react with other elements and substances. Low energy surfa
thus repel interaction.

Rust

A general term for iron oxide. Rust is a reddish-brown substance caused by ferrous metal'
oxygen.

Shot Peening

A variation of abrasive blasting involving the streaming of cast steel pellets at a surface. S
strengthens the surface.

Slurry

A thick mixture of liquid and suspended solids. Wet abrasive blasting involves a slurry.

Solvent

A chemical used to dissolve another material. Solvents are often used to dissolve surface

Substrate

The material onto which a coating is applied. The surface is the top portion of the substrat
the coating.

Surface Energy

A measure of the tendency of a surface to repel a coating. Low surface energy indicates a
high surface energy indicates a tendency to attract.

Surface Preparation

The process of treating a surface in order to increase its attraction to coatings. Surface pre
or chemical and is crucial to the success of a coating.

Tumbling

A relatively slow mass finishing process during which several small parts are placed in an
abrasive media. Surface preparation occurs as the container is agitated and the parts rub

Ultrasonic Cleaning

A modified type of alkaline cleaning in which high-frequency vibrations are introduced in th

Vapor Degreasing

A solvent cleaning process that uses vaporized fluorinated or chlorinated solvents to remo
process has fallen out of favor because of environmental concerns.

Vapor Honing

A combination of several types of mechanical preparation, a process similar to glass bead

Vibratory Finishing

A relatively fast mass finishing process during which parts are placed in an open barrel an
are faster because more part area is exposed to the abrasive action of the vibrating proce

Water Blasting

The process of removing surface material and contaminants by spraying pressurized wate
blasting is also called pressure washing.

Water Break Test

The process of pouring water onto a surface to determine the presence of oil on the surfac
water forms into beads.

Wettability

The ability of a coating or surface to interact with each other. Cleaning or energizing a surf

Wetting Angle

Also called contact angle, the angle formed where a drop of a coating meets the surface. S
wettability, while large angles indicate low wettability.

Wetting Angle Test

The process of measuring the wetting ability of a surface by comparing the wetting angle w

Wire Brushing

A manual mechanical surface preparation process that involves contacting a part with a ro

Vocabulary Term

Definition
brushing imparts fine scratches on the surface of parts.