Thanks to tariffs, prices on steel and aluminum are going to increase—there’s no two ways about it. Whether you’re in shipping and transport, import-export, construction, design, or even manufacturing, and whether you live in the USA or in Canada, this simple—but altogether pertinent—reality should be on your mind. One group’s, or one man’s, promise threatens another’s retaliation—but these larger groups and powerful people of influence aren’t necessarily the ones who will feel the consequences of their actions. Despite their strength and durability, it is actually the steel and aluminum, and all the people who use and depend on them, that will bear the brunt force of tariffs. How are your interests going to be protected? Well, you are going to protect them. After all, whatever your project may be, if it involves an industrial grade metal, then these days it is certainly an investment; and while others, thinking in the short-term, will want to cut corners, those who are ahead of the curve will protect their investments by protecting the merchandise itself. That means looking after the metal—more concretely, that means looking into different storage options and the benefits of engaging a metal finishing company. While storage is certainly one solution, it is once again only a short-term one; once the product is deployed in actual use and exposed to the elements, it’s down to the work of the metal finishers to protect your investment from early obsolescence.
But what is metal finishing?
Ok—this may seem like it’s a redundant question, but consider that a product isn’t ready for use until it’s been finished. You wouldn’t drive a car without a coat of paint, or without tires on the wheels. The car would still work, but its lifespan would be direly reduced! The same goes for metal finishing: its benefits range from making sure the metal is corrosion resistant to increasing its hardness and eliminating the risk of tarnishing. In short, although some of the services metal finishing companies provide is aesthetic, most also perform a pragmatic, functional operation.
Types of metal finishing and their benefits
Qualified metal finishing companies will offer a variety of metal finishing types to suit the needs of your project—and your pocket book.
• Anodizing: is the most prolifically used and recommended treatment. This is due to the process being relatively inexpensive while nonetheless offering several benefits. Most notable are the anodized metal’s resistance to corrosion, increased hardness, and receptivity to the bonding applications. This changes the base metal’s properties while producing a bare minimum of waste-product—meaning it’s one of the most environmentally friendly options for metal treatment.
• Plating: adds a layer of another metal, such as cadmium, gold, or a different base metal, such as aluminum. This option proves its utility in applications involving conductivity and insulation.
• Powder coating: is achieved via electrostatic application and thermal curing. While providing durability for exposed surfaces, it can also be used on parts that endure more stress than usual because it is more flexible than the result of a process such as plating.
Certainty, Uncertainty
None of us is an economic wizard; a few may be economic scientists, but everyone can profit from the science and benefits of metal finishing. Since the storm of tariffs is bound to grow, we may as well wait it out within the security of a durable, dependable, and pleasing structure. Contact us a qualified metal finishing company today to get a head start.
