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Mifa Aluminium
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Aalberts
Aluminium surface treatments

Which aluminium surface treatment extends the service life of your components?

The best aluminium surface treatment for industrial applications is the aluminium coating that fits your situation. Think of aspects such as: load, environment, alloy and the lifespan required for your product or profile. At Mifa Surface Treatment, we always look beyond just the surface. We combine anodising, passivation and advanced coatings into solutions that safeguard performance, durability and tolerances. This keeps components in top condition for longer, with less wear and improved corrosion resistance.

In industrial environments, reliability counts. Mifa Surface Treatment helps you select the right layer for aluminium profiles and components. We also make use of co‑engineering, test coatings and practical validation.

Perform beyond the surface.

The right layer based on specifications, requirements and application

At Mifa, a layer is selected based on specifications and requirements. In addition, we advise on coatings per industrial application to achieve the best end result. Recommendations are supported with test coatings, batch reports and advice per drawing.

Mifa provides advice on a suitable coating for industrial applications or conditions such as:

  • Wear resistance for moving or mechanically loaded parts.
  • Corrosion protection in humid, marine or chemical environments.
  • Optical quality or electrical insulation for visible and functional parts.

Use our Surface Selector to receive suitable advice for your component!

Mifa surface treatment employee

The Surface Selector

Which aluminium coating is best suited to your needs? Based on your application and the properties you require, we can advise you on the most suitable surface treatment.

Try our Surface Selector and receive personalised advice.

From wear resistance and corrosion protection to Cr6-free solutions and visual requirements: together we will find the treatment that suits you best.

Start with The Surface Selector

Industry market

Measurable benefits

We recommend surface treatments that safeguard both performance and tolerances for industrial applications such as machine building, semiconductor equipment, automation/robotics and lighting. This keeps components in top condition for longer.

The measurable benefits of surface treatments are diverse. Examples include:

  • Uptime focus: service life improves significantly on grippers and guide rails (linear motion), validated on the actual component.
  • Chemical resistance: resistant to cleaners and cooling/lubricating fluids.
  • Pre‑treated for assembly: for spraying and bonding processes, adhesion according to Class 1 (cross‑cut) is used as a quality standard.
  • Corrosion resistance in wet/chemical environments: depending on layer/alloy.
  • Dimensional stability in series: fit adjusted to layer thickness; deviations <10 μm possible, including batch report.

Technical specifications

 

Property
Value
Explanation
Layer thickness
 5-50 μm
Depending on application and process
Hardness

(HV)

 250-500 HV
With TUFRAM® or hard anodising
Temperature resistance
 Up to +200°C – 350°C
Per layer type
Compatible alloys
 6xxx/7xxx
Most commonly used in the industry
Roughness after treatment
 Ra 0,4-1,6 μm
Controlled via pre‑ and post‑treatment
Dimensional tolerance impact
 <10 μm
Within specifications

 

Comparison: TUFRAM® vs. anodising vs. electroless nickel

TUFRAM®
Anodising
Electroless nickel
Advantages
High wear resistance, low friction
Lightweight, optically stable
Very good adhesion, chemically
Note
Most suitable for 6xxx
Sensitive to mechanical impact
Thicker layer, affects dimensional stability
Choose this when
You have moving parts or heavy load
You need an optical, lightweight coating
You require maximum chemical resistance

Our co‑engineering in 5 steps

  • Intake: you provide the necessary data, after which alignment (if needed) follows with engineering and QA.
  • Application analysis & advice: we assess load, environmental factors and aesthetic requirements. We also advise on process, alloy and tolerances.
  • Test production: test series on the component or on a test plate, performed on our automatic line with full batch traceability.
  • Measuring & optimising: reporting on layer thickness, adhesion, roughness and colour, including optimisation to the intended target values.
  • Release & assurance: final process selection, including delivery and quality agreements. Ready for serial and scalable production.
Request a test coating or book a co‑engineering session

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

  • What is the best coating for both wear and corrosion?

    In many cases, TUFRAM® or electroless nickel. Mifa validates the optimal choice based on your specific profile and application environment.

  • Can I combine a coating with anodising?

    Yes. In certain situations, layers are combined. An example is combining TUFRAM® with sealing. The build‑up is always tested first.

  • What is the impact on dimensional tolerances?

    Dimensional stability is included in the design. Deviations <10 μm are feasible and are defined in advance in the reporting.

  • Is the alternative to Chromium‑6 equally strong?

    Yes, with proper pre‑treatment and validation, REACH‑compliant alternatives deliver equivalent performance. Mifa already applies this for various customers.

  • Which alloys are suitable?

    Mainly 6xxx and 7xxx alloys are suitable. Assessments are performed per application. Adhesion and roughness tests are also carried out.

Questions or advice needed about aluminium surface treatments for the industry?

Call Fons

Manager Surface Treatment

Fons Timmermans

+31 (0)77 389 8777