Surface Finishing
Surface Finishing
Options for Every Process
Explore surface finish types for metal and plastic parts, with options for color, texture, corrosion resistance, and wear protection matched to your material and manufacturing process.
A. CNC Machining
| Surface Finish | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| As Machined | Retains CNC tool marks without additional cosmetic surface finishing. | Functional components and non-cosmetic surfaces |
| Sand Blasting | Abrasive media create a matte texture and prepare compatible metal surfaces for coating. | Matte components and coating preparation |
| Tumbling | Media finishing removes light burrs, rounds edges, and smooths suitable metal parts. | Small machined parts and batch deburring |
| Electropolishing | Electrochemically removes a thin surface layer to smooth and brighten compatible metals. | Stainless steel components requiring easier cleaning |
| Heat Treatment | Controlled heating and cooling modify mechanical properties or relieve residual stress in compatible alloys. | Parts with specified mechanical properties |
| Alodine | Chemical conversion coating supports corrosion protection and paint adhesion on aluminum parts. | Aluminum housings, brackets, and painted parts |
| Anodizing | Grows a protective oxide layer on aluminum, with clear or colored finish options. | Aluminum enclosures and exposed components |
| Teflon Coating | Fluoropolymer coating provides low friction and release properties on compatible metal substrates. | Sliding interfaces and non-stick surfaces |
| Black Oxide | Black conversion finish for compatible steel, typically sealed with oil or wax for added corrosion protection. | Low-reflectivity steel hardware and components |
| Electroless Plating | Deposits a metal layer without external current, providing relatively even coverage on prepared surfaces. | Parts requiring controlled plating thickness |
| Electroplating | Uses electric current to deposit a selected metal coating for specified surface properties. | Decorative, conductive, or corrosion-resistant surfaces |
| Painting | Adds specified color, gloss, and protection using a paint system matched to the application. | Cosmetic housings and color-matched components |
| Passivation | Removes free iron contamination from stainless steel to support its corrosion resistance. | Stainless steel parts and corrosion-sensitive assemblies |
| Powder Coating | Applies and cures a powder coating on compatible metals, with varied colors and textures. | Metal housings, brackets, and equipment covers |
| E-Coating | Electrically deposits and cures a paint film on prepared conductive metal components. | Metal housings and complex brackets |
| Brushed Finish | Creates a directional satin texture through controlled abrasive finishing. | Visible metal panels and cosmetic components |
| Polishing | Mechanically refines the surface to reduce roughness or increase brightness. | Cosmetic parts and specified contact surfaces |
17 CNC machining surface finishes are available depending on material, geometry, and project requirements.
17 CNC machining surface finishes are available depending on material, geometry, and project requirements.B. Sheet Metal Fabrication
| Surface Finish | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| As Fabricated | Retains the surface condition after cutting and forming, without additional cosmetic finishing. | Functional brackets and internal sheet metal parts |
| Sand Blasting | Creates a matte texture and prepares compatible sheet metal surfaces for subsequent coatings. | Matte panels and coating preparation |
| Tumbling | Removes light burrs and softens edges on suitable small sheet metal components. | Small brackets, clips, and stamped components |
| Alodine | Forms a conversion coating on aluminum for corrosion protection and paint preparation. | Aluminum panels, brackets, and enclosures |
| Anodizing | Forms a protective oxide layer on aluminum sheet metal, with clear or colored options. | Visible aluminum panels and formed covers |
| Teflon Coating | Adds a low-friction fluoropolymer layer to sheet metal compatible with the coating and curing process. | Sliding guides and release surfaces |
| Black Oxide | Produces a black conversion finish on compatible steel, typically followed by protective sealing. | Low-reflectivity brackets and steel hardware |
| Electroplating | Deposits a specified metal layer to provide the required protective, decorative, or electrical properties. | Sheet metal hardware and conductive components |
| Painting | Provides specified color and gloss with a paint system suited to the substrate and environment. | Panels, enclosures, and equipment frames |
| Passivation | Removes free iron contamination from stainless steel surfaces after fabrication. | Stainless steel panels, brackets, and assemblies |
| Powder Coating | Forms a cured coating on compatible metal parts, with selectable colors, gloss levels, and textures. | Enclosures, guards, and mounting brackets |
| E-Coating | Uses electrodeposition to apply a paint film to prepared conductive sheet metal components. | Formed brackets and protective metal assemblies |
| Brushed Finish | Produces a directional satin grain on visible sheet metal surfaces. | Front panels and cosmetic enclosures |
| Polishing | Smooths or brightens accessible sheet metal surfaces through mechanical finishing. | Decorative panels and exposed contact surfaces |
14 sheet-metal surface finishes are available depending on substrate, thickness, and forming requirements.
C. Injection Molding
| Surface Finish | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Teflon Coating | Low-friction fluoropolymer coating for molded substrates with verified preparation, adhesion, and curing compatibility. | Selected sliding or release surfaces |
| Electroless Plating | Deposits a metal layer on compatible plastics after suitable surface preparation and activation. | Metallized housings and conductive surfaces |
| Painting | Adds specified color and gloss using a paint system compatible with the molded resin. | Cosmetic housings and branded components |
| Powder Coating | Cured powder finish for compatible metal components supplied with molded assemblies. | Companion metal brackets and covers |
| SPI Finish | Defines mold polish and texture grades reproduced on molded parts, with resin-dependent results. | Specified gloss and molded surface texture |
5 injection-molding surface finishes are listed; mold texture is selected during tooling review.
D. 3D Printing
| Surface Finish | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Electroless Plating | Deposits a metal layer on selected printing materials after validated surface preparation and activation. | Metallized prototypes and conductive housings |
| Painting | Adds color and gloss after surface preparation matched to the printing process and material. | Appearance prototypes, display models, and housings |
2 3D-printing surface finishes are listed; compatibility depends on process and material.
Find the Right Finish for Your Parts
Share your drawings, material, quantity, and finish requirements. Our engineers can review process compatibility, appearance targets, and critical dimensions to help you select a practical finishing option.
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