pinnoista

Pinnoitus, commonly referred to as coating or plating in English, is the process of applying a thin layer of material onto the surface of a substrate to improve its properties. In Finnish, pinnoitus denotes coating or plating, and pinnoista is the elative form used here to refer to coatings in general. Coatings can enhance wear and corrosion resistance, reduce friction, alter appearance, provide electrical insulation or conductivity, and tailor surface interactions with environments or users.

Coatings are produced by various methods, including electroplating and electroless plating, physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), thermal spraying, and wet-chemical coating techniques such as painting, varnishing, or converting coatings. The choice of method depends on the desired material, thickness, adhesion, and the operating conditions of the coated part.

Common coating materials include metals such as nickel, chromium, zinc, and aluminum; ceramics and carbides; polymers and epoxy or polyurethane resins; and composite or nano-structured coatings. Adherence to the substrate, coating thickness, residual stresses, and microstructure determine performance, as do surface preparation and post-treatment steps.

Pinnoitus has wide applications in manufacturing and consumer goods. Decorative coatings provide aesthetic appeal, while functional coatings improve corrosion resistance in automotive parts, tools and machinery, electronics, medical devices, and aerospace components. In cookware, non-stick and heat-resistant coatings are typical examples.

Quality and safety follow standards such as ISO and ASTM for coating thickness, adhesion, hardness, and wear tests. Environmental concerns relate to hazardous substances used in some plating systems; modern practice emphasizes chromium(III) alternatives and waste treatment. Regulations like RoHS and REACH influence material choices and process control.