Methods for Treating Aluminum Surfaces

• US 20140246323A1
• Filed: 03/01/2013
• Published: 09/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Inventors: Porter, Christopher Alan
• Application Number:
  US13/781,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20140246323A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 205/50
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 11/16 Pretreatment , e.g. desmutting
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 11/24 Chemical after-treatment

Abstract

Methods for treating aluminum for providing a tactile sensation of surface softness are provided. In this regard, a representative method includes: providing an aluminum component having a surface; exposing the surface to a first media blasting; exposing the surface to a second media blasting; and, after the second media blasting, chemical etching and anodizing the surface.

Claims

1. A method for treating aluminum for providing a tactile sensation of surface softness, the method comprising:

providing an aluminum component having a surface;

exposing the surface to a first media blasting;

exposing the surface to a second media blasting; and

after the second media blasting, chemical etching and anodizing the surface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the anodizing is performed prior to the chemical etching.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tactile sensation of surface softness is exhibited without a coating being provided on the surface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein exposing the surface to the first media blasting comprises:

providing first blast media of approximately #100-200 grit; and

using a blast pressure of approximately 2.0-4.0 kg/cm².

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first blast media is steel, round blast media.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein exposing the surface to the second media blasting comprises:

providing second blast media of approximately #100-200 grit; and

using a blast pressure of approximately 2.0-4.0 kg/cm².

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second blast media is steel, round blast media.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the first blast media and the second blast media are steel, round blast media.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein exposing the surface to the first media blasting comprises exposing the surface to the first media blasting for approximately 30-300 seconds.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein exposing the surface to the second media blasting comprises exposing the surface to the second media blasting for approximately 30-300 seconds.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein exposing the surface to the first media blasting comprises:

placing the aluminum component on a conveyor; and

conveying the aluminum component through a media blasting zone.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein exposing the surface to the second media blasting comprises conveying the aluminum component through the media blasting zone for a second time.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the aluminum component is at least a portion of a housing for a handheld electronic device.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the aluminum component is at least a portion of a housing for a smartphone or a tablet computer.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein providing an aluminum component comprises:

providing a sheet of aluminum; and

forming the component from the sheet.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the sheet has a thickness of between approximately 1 mm and approximately 2 mm.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the component from the sheet comprises stamping the component form the sheet.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the aluminum component exhibits a thickness, measured from the surface, of between approximately 1 mm and approximately 2 mm.

19. A handheld electronic device comprising a housing formed by the method of claim 1.