After the processing of plastic products is completed, surface treatment is the key link to improve the texture and functional characteristics of the product. These treatments can not only make the appearance of home appliances more in line with consumer aesthetics, but also give the products practical properties such as wear resistance, weather resistance, and anti-static properties, meeting the multiple needs of home appliances in daily use. From ordinary appearance beautification to functional improvement, the selection and implementation of surface treatment processes directly affect the final quality and market competitiveness of home appliances.
Spraying is one of the more common processes in the surface treatment of home appliance plastic products. By spraying the paint evenly on the surface of the product, a decorative or functional coating can be formed. Different types of paint can bring different effects. For example, matte paint can give the product a soft texture, while glossy paint can make the surface look smooth and bright. Some paints also have special properties. For example, anti-ultraviolet paint can reduce the aging effect of sunlight on the product, and antibacterial paint can inhibit the growth of surface bacteria. It is suitable for home appliance parts that come into contact with food, such as refrigerators and microwave ovens. During the spraying process, the mixing of the paint, the pressure and distance of the spraying need to be precisely controlled to ensure that the coating is uniform and flawless.
The electroplating process can make home appliance plastic products present a metallic luster and texture, and is often used to enhance the high-end feel of the product. Through electrochemical methods, a layer of metal plating is deposited on the surface of the product, which can not only change the appearance, but also enhance the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the surface. For example, some air conditioner panels or TV frames will have a stainless steel or chrome-plated effect after electroplating, which is both beautiful and durable. However, the electroplating process has high requirements for the flatness of the product surface. Fine grinding and polishing are required in the early stage to ensure that the coating is evenly attached and avoid bubbles or shedding. At the same time, environmental factors must be considered and wastewater generated during the electroplating process must be properly handled.
The printing process adds more possibilities for pattern and text logos to home appliance plastic products. Brand LOGO, operating instructions or decorative patterns can be printed on the surface of the product through screen printing, pad printing and other methods. This treatment method is relatively simple to operate and can adapt to products of different shapes and sizes. For example, the function button logo on the control panel of a washing machine is mostly completed by screen printing, with clear handwriting and not easy to fade. In the printing process, the choice of ink is crucial. It is necessary to select friction-resistant and solvent-resistant inks according to the use environment of the product to ensure that the pattern remains clear during long-term use and will not fall off due to wiping or contact with chemicals.
The hot stamping process is often used to enhance the decorative grade of plastic household appliances. Plastic products processing uses high temperature to stamp metal foil on the surface of the product to form gold or silver decorative lines or patterns. This process is particularly suitable for high-end household appliances, such as the panel of luxury refrigerators and the shell of high-end audio equipment, which can instantly enhance the luxury of the product. The temperature and pressure need to be controlled during hot stamping. Too low temperature will cause the metal foil to not adhere firmly, and too high temperature may damage the surface of the product. In addition, the design of the hot stamping pattern must also be coordinated with the overall style of the product to achieve the ideal decorative effect.
Frosting and polishing are to change the roughness of the surface of the product through physical methods to obtain different tactile and visual effects. Frosting can form a fine granular texture on the surface, which can not only reduce fingerprint residue, but also create a soft matte effect. It is often used in refrigerator door handles, air conditioner shells and other parts. Polishing treatment, on the contrary, uses abrasive materials to polish the surface to make the product surface smoother and brighter. It is common in some home appliance panels that need to highlight the gloss. Both processes require the selection of appropriate grinding tools and process parameters according to the material and shape of the product to avoid deformation or dimensional deviation of the product caused by excessive polishing.
In addition to the above common plastic products processing processes, there are some special surface treatment methods suitable for home appliances with specific needs. For example, the coating process can form an extremely thin functional film on the surface of the product, giving it anti-static, anti-glare and other properties, which is suitable for application in computer monitor shells or control panels of smart phones and home appliances. Some home appliances also use surface hardening treatment to increase the surface hardness through chemical coating or heat treatment to reduce scratch damage during daily use. When choosing a surface treatment process, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the use scenario, aesthetic requirements and cost factors of the product to ensure that the treated product can meet the functional requirements and have good appearance quality, adding points to the overall value of home appliances.
