Laboratory analysis and expertise of surface treatments
Ensuring the performance of critical surface treatments
Surface treatments play a key role in the protection, reliability, and performance of components used in the aerospace and defense industries.
Anodizing, passivation, coatings, and heat or chemical treatments all influence the corrosion resistance, adhesion, mechanical strength, and durability of materials in harsh environments.
There are several surface treatment and expertise techniques:
surface treatment analysis techniques and expertise
Wet surface treatments : chemical baths (chemical nickel, copper…), electrolytical deposits, galvanization…
Dry surface treatments : thermal spraying, plasma, chemical or physical vapor deposits (CVD and PVD), sandblasting…
The FILAB laboratory analyzes your surface treatments and coatings to guarantee their proper functionality.
Thanks to our dual expertise in chemistry and materials science, the FILAB laboratory offers analytical services for all types of surface treatments (organic or inorganic) and for all types of materials (metal, glass, polymer, ceramic, etc.).
Our laboratory addresses industrial surface treatment challenges through the following services:
Surface treatment expertise
Expertise and failure analysis: surface corrosion, identification of process or implementation defects...
Expertise and failure analysis: surface corrosion, identification of process or implementation defects...
Verification of the conformity of treatments (anodizing, passivation, coatings)
Verification of the conformity of treatments (anodizing, passivation, coatings)
Control of thickness, composition and homogeneity
Control of thickness, composition and homogeneity
Surface analysis and pollution
Surface analysis and pollution
Detection and identification of surface pollution
Detection and identification of surface pollution
Characterization of the surface condition before or after treatment
Characterization of the surface condition before or after treatment
Assessment of the compatibility of the treatment, the material, and the environment
Assessment of the compatibility of the treatment, the material, and the environment
to go further...
Analysis of surface treatment baths
Hot-dip galvanizing service
Our facilities for analyzing and characterizing surface treatments are also quite diverse depending on the type of treatment : Scanning Electron Microscope (MEB-FEG-EDX), ToF-SIMS analysis, XPS for morphological examinations : ICP-AES, ICP-MS or Ionic Chromatography for analyzing chemical compositions
If you need more information about our analysis of surface treatments, feel free to contact us !
Client Qualifications
The FILAB laboratory has obtained DASSAULT AVIATION accreditation. This accreditation makes FILAB a reliable partner for aerospace manufacturers.
FILAB obtained Laboratory Qualification from the SAFRAN Group several years ago under procedures GRP-0087 and GRM-0123.
This qualification is regularly renewed following audits conducted by Safran at our facilities.
Learn more about FILAB
FAQ
Surface treatment is a process applied to the surface of a material or object to improve its properties, appearance, or functionality. These treatments can be performed on various types of materials, such as metals, plastics, ceramics, glass, and more. They are commonly used in many industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, medical, and many others.
Surface treatments can be classified into different categories based on their purpose. Here are some common examples of surface treatments:
- Corrosion protection: Some materials are susceptible to corrosion when exposed to moisture, air, or harsh environments. Surface treatments such as galvanizing, anodizing, or chrome plating are used to create a protective layer on the surface, thus reducing corrosion.
- Coatings: These are used to improve the surface properties of the material. For example, non-stick coatings can be applied to pans, wear-resistant coatings to tools, or optical coatings to lenses.
- Decoration and aesthetics: Surface treatments can be used to enhance the appearance of objects by adding patterns, colors, or special finishes.
- Improving mechanical properties: Some treatments can increase the strength, hardness, or toughness of materials, making them more suitable for specific applications.
- Surface cleaning and preparation: Before applying certain coatings or manufacturing processes, it is sometimes necessary to clean and prepare the surface to ensure optimal adhesion.
- Modification of electrical or thermal conductivity: Surface treatments can be used to increase or decrease the electrical or thermal conductivity of a material as needed.
