Methods for Treating Aluminum Surfaces

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.

At least the following is claimed: 
     
         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/cm 2 .   
     
     
         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/cm 2 .   
     
     
         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 .