Every separate masterpiece is plated before complete assembling of the faucet. The Most common colour used for brassware is chrome. This plating, presenting a light blue glint, is obtained by dipping components into successive baths, according to an electrolytic process.
Chrome, a hard and stainless metal is highly protective. Matt and shiny nickel finishes, slightly different from chrome, are also obtained by electrolysis. Gold plating is realized on special request.
Chrome and nickel items are manufactured in small and medium series, and main items in each HORUS range are usually available in stock, allowing a quick delivery of orders.
Some other finishings, named decoration finishes, are obtained through a different process: it is no longer a layer on component, but rather a reaction of brass material itself, obtained by immersion into an acid bath, which modifies final outside aspect of the piece. This process is bound to be manually achieved.
It is actually a tricky operation, the result of which depends on several parameters : the piece dimensions, the bath grade, surrounding conditions in temperature and hydrothermy, time in bath…Mastership of all these conditions requires a high quality knowhow.
Then, components are usually matt, satin or glossy varnished, before being put in an oven in order to be protected from everyday use.
Nickel plating can offer different aspects, satin, brushed, matt, velvet, mirror…
The nickel finish, more “yellow” than the chrome finish, has the particularity of presenting a nice silver effect.
This finish is reinforced by a second nickel bath to strengthen its resistance to lime scale.
Nickel plating can offer different aspects, satin, brushed, matt, velvet, mirror…
The nickel finish, more “yellow” than the chrome finish, has the particularity of presenting a nice silver effect.
This finish is reinforced by a second nickel bath to strengthen its resistance to lime scale.
The old and patinated aspects of notably old bronze, old copper, greens of grey or brass are also the result of patina baths which, when mastered, mimic the ageing of the metal thanks to a chemical oxidation on the surface of the piece. A matt or glossy colourless varnish or even a wax for a more natural look can then be applied and baked in the oven to freeze the colour. In its absence, the tint will naturally age.
The old and patinated aspects, in particular the old bronzes, the old coppers, the verdigrises’ or the coppers also come from patina baths which, when controlled, imitate the aging of the metal thanks to a chemical oxidation of the surface of the piece . A colourless matt or gloss varnish or even a wax for a more natural look can then be applied and baked in the oven, to freeze the colour. In its absence, the tint will naturally age.
The old and patinated aspects, notably old bronzes, old copper, the verdigrises’ or brass are also the result of patina baths which, when controlled, mimic the ageing of the metal thanks to a chemical oxidation of the surface of the piece. A matt or glossy colourless varnish or even a wax for a more natural look can then be applied and baked in the oven to freeze the colour. In its absence, the tint will age naturally.
The old and patinated aspects, in particular the old bronzes, the old coppers, the verdigrises’ or brasses also come from patina baths which, when controlled, mimic the aging of the metal thanks to a chemical oxidation of the surface of the piece. A colourless matt or glossy varnish or even a wax for a more natural appearance can then be applied and baked in the oven, to freeze the colour. In its absence, the tint will naturally age.
Semi-precious, even precious, finishes like silver and gold, fashionable in the 1980s, are also applied after nickel plating. They are lacquered or matt, aged or brushed.
The old and patinated aspects, in particular the old bronzes, the old coppers, the verdigrises’ or brasses also come from patina baths which, when controlled, mimic the aging of the metal thanks to a chemical oxidation of the surface of the part. A colourless matt or glossy varnish or even a wax for a more natural appearance can then be applied and baked in the oven, to freeze the colour. In its absence, the tint will naturally age.
The gold thicknesses are low, between 0.2 and 1.5 microns for the most luxurious faucets (21 carats) compared to more than 3 microns in goldsmith’s trade. For silver, the thicknesses are less than 33 microns applied as in the tableware sector. Most of the time, it must be protected by a varnish, which avoids, especially in a humid environment, the phenomenon of sulfurization / oxidation.
The gold thicknesses are low, between 0.2 and 1.5 microns for the most luxurious taps (21 carats) compared to more than 3 microns in goldsmith’s trade. For silver, the thicknesses are less than 33 microns applied as in the tableware sector. Most of the time, it must be protected by a varnish, which avoids, especially in a humid environment, the phenomenon of sulfurization / oxidation.
The old and patinated aspects, in particular the old bronzes, the old coppers, the verdigrises’ or brasses also come from patina baths which, when controlled, mimic the aging of the metal thanks to a chemical oxidation of the surface of the part. A colourless matt or glossy varnish or even a wax for a more natural appearance can then be applied and baked in the oven, to freeze the colour. In its absence, the tint will naturally age.
Bluish chromium is the most common finish for faucets. It requires first an electrolytic bath, ensuring the prior deposition of a layer of nickel, followed by rinsing to avoid “pollution” of the chrome plating bath that follows. Chrome can also be brushed, matt velvet, mirror…
Bluish chromium is the most common finish for faucets. It requires a first electrolytic bath, ensuring the prior deposition of a layer of nickel, followed by rinsing to avoid “pollution” of the chrome plating bath that follows. Chrome can also be brushed, matt velvet, mirror…
While black and white have been used a lot in the bathroom in shiny or lacquered finishes, the trend is moving towards the velvety-silky look achieved by new epoxy paints for fittings.
Nickel plating can offer different aspects, satin, brushed, matt, velvet, mirror… The nickel finish, more “yellow” than the chrome finish, has the particularity of presenting an attractive silver effect.
Semi-precious or even precious finishes, such as silver and gold, fashionable in the 1980s, are also applied after nickel plating. They are lacquered or matt, aged or brushed.
Surface treatment with electrolytic baths is carried out in three phases: first a preparation phase (stripping or degreasing), followed by the surface treatment itself and, finally, rinsing. For each operation there are one or more baths, chemical in the case of stripping, electrolytic in the case of finishing: the deposit is obtained in a bath containing the metal, which is electro-deposited under direct electrical current.
Electrolytic black nickel, tin/black nickel or black chrome deposits, which range from bright intense black to metal gun, have been around for a long time. The former are fragile, imposing a protective transparent polish deposit.
While black and white have been used a lot in shiny or enamelled bathrooms, the trend is moving towards the velvety-silky look achieved by new epoxy paints for fittings.
Nickel plating can offer different aspects, satin, brushed, matt, velvet, mirror… The nickel finish, more “yellow” than the chrome finish, has the particularity of presenting an attractive silver effect.
PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) is a technology for covering surfaces with a metallic film. It is used in the world of watchmaking, but also in the world of tools, to reinforce the hardness and resistance of drills for example, thanks to titanium oxide.
The principle: the parts, treated individually, i.e. disassembled, are enclosed in a chamber where a complete vacuum is created. Then,a plate of the metal is used and different gases, a metal vapour is produced, and then accelerated in order to project the molecules by kinetic energy, thanks to a very powerful electric current which ensures a strong adhesion of the coating on the support.
PVD finishes allow working on stainless steel, brass, zamak and plastic.
PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) is a technology for covering surfaces with a metallic film. It is used in the world of watchmaking, but also in the world of tools, to reinforce the hardness and resistance of drills for example, thanks to titanium oxide.
The principle: the parts, treated individually, i.e. disassembled, are enclosed in a chamber where a complete vacuum is created.
Then, a plate of the metal is used with different gases; a metal vapour is produced, and then accelerated in order to project the molecules by kinetic energy, thanks to a very powerful electric current which ensures a strong adhesion of the coating on the support.
PVD finishes allow working on stainless steel, brass, zamak and plastic.
PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) is a technology for covering a surface with a metallic film. It is used in the world of watchmaking, but also in tools, to strengthen the hardness and resistance of drills, for example, thanks to titanium oxide.
The principle: the parts, treated individually, that is to say disassembled, are locked in a room where a complete vacuum is created. Then, a plate of the metal is used and different gases; a metallic vapor is produced, and then accelerated in order to project the molecules by kinetic energy, thanks to a very powerful electric current which ensures a strong adhesion of the coating on the support.
PVD finishes allow working on stainless steel, brass, zamak and plastic.
Stainless steel is a steel alloy intended to be used as a material for the manufacture of materials, most often for construction. It is made from iron (more than 50%), its main base. Its Carbon (1.2%) and Chromium (more than 10.5%) content gives it its stainless character, which enables it to resist corrosion and provide the strength necessary for all the work it is used for.
Stainless steel, which can remain rough, polished or satin-finished, and accepts direct PVD finishes.
However, stainless steel, which is not cast but machined, is also expensive. Moreover, it only allows the purified forms we know and little aesthetic differentiation.
Stainless steel is a steel alloy intended to be used as a material for the manufacture of materials, usually in the construction industry. It is made from iron (more than 50%) as its main base. Its Carbon (1.2%) and Chromium (more than 10.5%) content gives it its stainless steel character, which enables it to resist corrosion and provide the strength necessary for all the work it is designed and used for.
Stainless steel, which can remain rough, polished or satin-finished, and can accept direct PVD finishes.
However, stainless steel, which is not cast but machined, is also expensive. Moreover, it only allows the purified forms we know and little aesthetic differentiation.
Stainless steel is a steel alloy intended to be used as a material for the manufacture of materials, usually for construction. It is made from iron (more than 50%) as its main base. Its Carbon (1.2%) and Chromium (more than 10.5%) content gives it its stainless steel character, which enables it to resist corrosion and provide the strength necessary for all the work it is used for.
Stainless steel, which can remain rough, polished or satin-finished, and accepts direct PVD finishes.
However, stainless steel, which is not cast but machined, is also expensive. Moreover, it only allows the purified forms we know and little aesthetic differentiation.
Stainless steel is a steel alloy intended to be used as a material for the manufacture of materials, usually for construction. It is made from iron (more than 50%) as its main base. Its Carbon (1.2%) and Chromium (more than 10.5%) content gives it its stainless steel character, which enables it to resist corrosion and provide the strength necessary for all the work it is used for.
