Quality control for metallization processes
28.03.2017

Achieving optimal metallization results depends on several essential factors:

• Surface Preparation: The surface condition after blasting (SA 2.5 – SA 3) is critical. The cleanness level directly affects the adhesion of subsequent layers and ensures long-term corrosion protection.
• Dew Point: Proper monitoring is crucial to avoid moisture-related issues.
• Correct Timing: Respecting the recommended intervals between blasting, metallization, and painting guarantees the durability of the coating.

Knowing the cleanness degree of the surface after blasting is therefore essential because its level is crucial for insuring the adherence of the layers that are supposed to be applied afterwards on the metal part. In the end the cleanness degree of the surface to be treated directly influences the way in which the anticorrosive protection will function on long term. 

In order to check it one could use the ISO 8501-1:2007 – Elcometer 128 standard. 

Afterwards, during the metallization process it is recommended to control the thickness of the applied layer because a to thin one will not guarantee the anticorrosive protection while a to thick one would imply extra costs with materials. Controlling this parameter is really easy when using the Elcomter 456.