Surface Finishing

Surface finishing techniques for parts are commonly employed for both aesthetic and functional purposes. Each technique has specific requirements regarding material, color, machining, visibility of marks, tolerances, and pricing considerations.

Image

Applicable to

Machining Mark

Cosmetic Availability

Color

Price

Tolerances

As Machined

Metal&Plastic

Visible, Machined Marks

No

N/A

Regular

Tolerances are not affected

Brushing

ABS, All Metals

Removed on primary surfaces

No

N/A

Regular

Tolerances are not affected

Bead Blasting

Metals

Removed for non-cosmetic, released on primary surfaces for cosmetic.

On request

N/A

Regular

Not affected except for specific features*

Anodizing

Aluminum& Titanium

Reduced for non-cosmetic, removed on primary surfaces for cosmetic

On request

N/A

Medium

Met after Anodizing

polishing craft

Polishing

Metal&Plastic

Removed on primary surfaces

Always cosmetic

N/A

High

Met after polishing

Powder Coating

Metal Materials

Removed

Custom Color

N/A

Medium

Met before coating

Painting

Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Steel

Removed

Custom Color

N/A

Medium

Tolerances are not affected

Black oxide

Steel, Stainless Steel

Visible

On request

Black

Medium

Met after coating

Electroplating

Aluminum, steel, stainless steel

Removed

No

Gold, silver, nickel, copper, brass

Medium

Met after plating

Part Marking

Metal&Plastic

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Note: You can check our E-Book on surface finishing to learn more common finishing options.