The durability of the iron and aluminum alloy indoor stair guardrail is closely related to the surface treatment process. Different processes play a key role in rust prevention, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance by changing the surface characteristics of the material. High-quality surface treatment can not only extend the service life of the guardrail, but also maintain its beauty and meet the long-term use needs of the family.
Electroplating is one of the common surface treatment methods. It covers a layer of metal coating on the surface of the guardrail through the principle of electrolysis. For example, galvanizing can utilize the electrochemical activity of the zinc layer to corrode itself first when the coating is damaged, thereby protecting the internal iron or aluminum alloy substrate. However, the thickness and uniformity of the electroplating layer will affect the protective effect. If the coating is too thin, in a humid environment, water vapor can easily penetrate the coating and contact the substrate, causing rust. Moreover, the coating formed by some electroplating processes is brittle and easy to peel off when hit. Once the coating is damaged, the substrate loses protection and will accelerate aging.
The powder spraying process is to adsorb the powder coating on the surface of the guardrail through electrostatic adsorption, and then cure it at high temperature to form a solid coating. This coating is like a protective film, isolating water, oxygen and other substances from the contact with the substrate, effectively preventing rust. Powder coating also has good weather resistance and is not easy to fade or powder due to light and temperature changes. In addition, powder coating has a rich selection of colors to meet the needs of different home decoration styles. However, the surface treatment of the workpiece before powder spraying is very critical. If the oil and rust on the surface are not cleaned up, the bonding strength between the coating and the substrate will deteriorate, and the coating will easily peel off after a period of use.
Anodizing is a unique treatment process for aluminum alloy guardrails. It uses the principle of electrolysis to generate an oxide film on the surface of the aluminum alloy. This film is not only hard and resistant to daily friction, but also has a porous structure. It can absorb dyes to achieve different color effects, or perform sealing treatment to further improve the protective performance. The aluminum alloy guardrail that has been anodized is not easily corroded in a normal environment. The oxide film on the surface can also prevent the aluminum alloy from direct contact with the air and avoid metal oxidation and discoloration. However, if the sealing process after anodizing is not in place, the micropores of the oxide film are easy to absorb dust and moisture, which may still affect the service life of the guardrail over time.
The electrophoretic coating process is to immerse the guardrail in water-soluble paint, and through the action of the electric field, the paint particles are evenly attached to the surface to form a dense paint film. The electrophoretic paint film has uniform thickness, strong adhesion, is not easily scratched and damaged, and is impact-resistant and bend-resistant, which is suitable for guardrail components with complex shapes. The coating formed by this process has excellent salt spray resistance, acid and alkali resistance, and can be used for a long time in humid environments or areas with chemical corrosion risks. At the same time, the paint used in electrophoretic coating is environmentally friendly and will not pollute the indoor environment, which is particularly suitable for indoor use in the home.
The hot dip molding process is to immerse the preheated guardrail in molten plastic powder so that its surface is covered with a thicker plastic layer. This plastic layer has good acid and alkali resistance and impact resistance, and can effectively protect the substrate from corrosion. Even in a humid and dark environment such as a basement, it can remain intact for a long time. However, the hot dip molding process will make the surface of the guardrail thicker, which may cover up some delicate modeling details, and the high temperature treatment process may have a slight effect on the performance of the aluminum alloy.
Hand-brushed and antique treatments focus on improving the decorativeness of guardrails, but are relatively weak in durability. Hand-brushed wire forms lines on the metal surface through mechanical friction to enhance the texture, but it will increase the surface roughness and easily absorb dust and water vapor, and needs to be protected by spraying varnish. The antique aging process creates a retro effect through chemical corrosion. Although it is beautiful, its protective performance is limited. It needs to be regularly re-applied with protective agents to maintain its protective ability. It is more suitable for installation in dry and low-frequency areas.
In practical applications, in order to improve the durability of guardrails, a combination of multiple processes is often used. For example, iron guardrails are first galvanized to provide basic rust prevention, and then powder spraying is performed to increase protection and beauty; aluminum alloy guardrails are anodized and electrophoretically coated, taking into account wear resistance, corrosion resistance and decorative effects. At the same time, daily maintenance is also important for the durability of guardrails. Avoid using corrosive cleaners, regularly check the integrity of the coating, and repair it in time if damage is found, so that the iron aluminum alloy indoor stair guardrail can remain in good condition for a long time.
