Surface Engineering

The REM ISF (isotropic super finishing) is a process that can be individualized for each batch of engineered metal parts. Size, condition, metal makeup, shape and other variations are handled on a batch-by-batch basis. Therefore, each batch must be tested before quoting a price.

Basically the REM ISF process is a surface engineering procedure that removes the peaks on the metal surface resulting in a smooth surface. This differs from a coating process like electroplating which fills in the valleys to produce a smooth surface. Unlike coatings the REM ISF process does not add another kind of metal coating, that will eventually break off when you are utilizing the part. So, it is the base metal and that’s why it doesn’t pit and doesn’t have those problems because when you put something on top of metal, it eventually will come off.

One way to think of the REM ISF surface engineering process is to equate it to hand polishing of a metal surface. Some companies still use the traditional hand polishing process, REM's ISF process can do it a lot quicker, a lot faster in larger quantities and have even better results and benefits.

While all this sounds very high tech, the REM ISF process has actually been around for more than 15 years. The process has even found uses in the decorative metal market because one of the side effects of the surface engineering process is that the product ends up shiny and smooth.

The racing industry was actually the first one to utilize our REM ISF process because they are a lot more likely to, people souping up their cars are lot more likely to experiment than obviously the Army or NASA or someone like that with what could be done. NASCAR and other automotive sports are always looking for any extra added advantage they can get and they've found that with REM ISF surface engineering parts last longer and function better resulting in faster speeds, higher gas mileage and overall lowered costs.

Additional uses for surface engineering of metal components is to prepare the metal surface prior to putting a coating on it. Some companies have found that once they used the REM ISF surface engineering process that it's really not necessary to use a coating because what a coating will do, does smooth things out, some of those other retention properties and things like that our process does and with a coating wear and tear will eventually chip away a piece of it just like any other coating.