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The perfect gloss on metal surfaces: Why do mirror effects always come from polishing and grinding?
In metalworking, polishing and sanding are key processes in creating a perfect glossy surface. These processes not only enhance the visual effect of the object, but also bring a series of benefits in terms of technical performance. Although the polishing process is somewhat similar to sanding, their technical details are significantly different.
Sanding usually involves the use of a fixed abrasive, while polishing uses a loose abrasive, which gives it a more refined effect.
In general concepts, many people think that perfect mirror effect is always related to polishing, but in fact, most mirror brightness comes from polishing. The polishing process is usually performed to improve the appearance of an item, remove oxide layers, and prevent metal corrosion.
Different from traditional mechanical polishing, electrolytic polishing is an emerging process that uses the principle of electrochemistry to remove tiny layers on the metal surface. This not only reduces the compression and deformation caused by traditional polishing, but also obtains a variety of surface effect.
Polishing and grinding process
The polishing and sanding process depends on the state of the material being processed. When the material is untreated, coarser abrasives are usually used initially, and as treatment progresses, finer abrasives are gradually used to achieve the desired effect.
For example, to achieve the "No. 8" mirror effect, you need to use professional polishing and grinding materials and use high-speed polishing machines for processing.
Different abrasive usage scenarios are also key. White and gray aluminum oxide abrasives are commonly used on high-strength metals, while green chromium (III) oxide is specifically used for polishing stainless steel.
Diversity of polishing equipment
In actual operation, there are various choices of polishing wheels. Common materials include wood, leather, cotton and other materials. Each of these materials has different cleaning power and applicable scenarios.
For example, when using metal pipes that leak water, the polished surface can reduce the growth of bacteria and mold, making it more hygienic and safe in the pharmaceutical and dairy industries.
Using different colors of polishing compounds is also a science. The black compound is used to remove scratches, the white compound is used for final polishing on hard metals, and the green compound is designed for stainless steel.
Wide range of applications
Polishing technology is used in a wide range of applications, from automobile parts to garden guardrails to kitchen utensils, etc., all of which require high-quality surface effects. Grinding is also an integral part of the process of manufacturing optical components such as mirrors.
In special industries such as pharmaceuticals and dairy products, grinding construction is often done to prevent corrosion and eliminate bacteria.
Overall, polishing processes, whether manual or automated, can significantly improve the appearance and durability of metal parts. For many industries, this is not only surface technology, but also an important factor affecting product quality and safety.
However, with the continuous evolution of technology, what new polishing technologies and methods will appear in the future to further improve the effect of metal surfaces?
