| As Machined | A clean machined surface that retains the natural tool pattern from CNC milling or turning, with no additional cosmetic finishing operation. | Precision mechanical parts, internal components, prototypes, fixtures | Aluminum, stainless steel, steel, brass, copper, titanium, engineering plastics | CNC Machining | Approximately Ra 3.2 μm standard machining reference; finer finishes available by process control |
| Deburring | Removes sharp edges, loose burrs, and machining residue while preserving the primary geometry of the component. | Machined edges, drilled holes, laser-cut parts, stamped components | Aluminum, steel, stainless steel, brass, copper and other machinable metals | CNC Machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Die Casting | Edge break or burr removal according to drawing requirements |
| Bead Blasting | Uses fine media to create a uniform matte or satin surface while reducing visible machining marks and minor surface variation. | Housings, covers, consumer-facing CNC parts, aluminum enclosures | Aluminum, stainless steel, steel, titanium and selected alloys | CNC Machining, Die Casting, Metal 3D Printing, Sheet Metal Fabrication | Uniform matte to satin appearance; no defined coating thickness |
| Sand Blasting | Uses abrasive media to clean and texture metal surfaces, producing a stronger surface profile than fine cosmetic bead blasting. | Castings, fabricated frames, large metal components, coating preparation | Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron and other metals | Sand Casting, Die Casting, Sheet Metal Fabrication | Textured matte surface; surface profile depends on abrasive media and pressure |
| Tumbling | Bulk finishing smooths edges and surfaces by processing parts together with abrasive media, making it efficient for batches of small components. | Small CNC parts, stamped parts, hardware, brackets and mass-produced metal components | Aluminum, steel, stainless steel, brass, copper and selected alloys | CNC Machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Die Casting | Deburred, softened and more uniform surface; final texture depends on media |
| Brushed Finish | Produces directional linear grain using abrasive belts or brushes for a controlled technical or decorative appearance. | Panels, faceplates, covers, appliances, electronic housings | Stainless steel, aluminum, brass and selected metals | CNC Machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication | Directional satin grain; grit and brushing direction can be drawing-specified |
| Polishing | Progressively refines the surface to reduce visible scratches and create a smoother, brighter appearance. | Cosmetic components, stainless steel parts, decorative hardware and exposed metal surfaces | Stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper and selected alloys | CNC Machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Die Casting, Metal 3D Printing | Satin to high-gloss; roughness depends on polishing grade and substrate condition |
| Type II Anodizing | Creates a controlled oxide layer on aluminum and can be supplied in natural or dyed colors for finished CNC and fabricated components. | Aluminum housings, brackets, covers, electronic components and cosmetic parts | Aluminum and suitable aluminum alloys | CNC Machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Die Casting | Approximately 5–25 μm, depending on alloy, color and specification. |
| Type III Hard Anodizing | Produces a thicker, denser anodic oxide layer than standard anodizing for engineering components that require a more substantial functional surface. | Sliding components, machine parts, fixtures, automation components and wear surfaces | Suitable aluminum alloys | CNC Machining, Die Casting | Common engineering range approximately 25–75 μm, with around 40–60 μm frequently specified for hard-anodized engineering parts. |
| Chromate Conversion Coating / Alodine | A thin chemical conversion treatment for aluminum that changes the surface chemistry without creating the heavy build associated with thicker coatings. | Aluminum components requiring minimal dimensional change, electrical enclosures and pre-paint surfaces | Aluminum and aluminum alloys | CNC Machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Die Casting | Thin conversion layer with minimal dimensional build; clear to yellow/gold appearance depending on process |
| Black Oxide | Forms a very thin black conversion layer on ferrous metals, producing a dark technical finish with minimal dimensional change | Fasteners, tools, fixtures, gears and precision steel components | Carbon steel, alloy steel and compatible ferrous materials | CNC Machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication | Generally sub-micron to around 1 μm for conventional black oxide systems |
| Passivation | Chemically cleans stainless steel surfaces and supports formation of the naturally protective chromium-rich passive layer without applying a conventional coating. | Stainless steel machined parts, fittings, laboratory components and precision hardware | Stainless steel | CNC Machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Metal 3D Printing | No meaningful coating build; passive surface layer is only nanometers thick, so dimensional change is normally negligible. |
| Zinc Plating | Deposits a thin zinc layer onto steel components to provide a controlled metallic surface suitable for a broad range of industrial parts | Fasteners, brackets, stamped parts, steel hardware and mechanical components | Carbon steel and compatible ferrous alloys | CNC Machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Metal Stamping | Common engineering specifications typically use thin micron-level deposits; required thickness should be defined on the drawing according to service environment |
| Nickel Plating | Electrolytically deposits nickel onto a conductive substrate to create a bright or technical metallic surface | Hardware, decorative components, electrical parts and metal housings | Steel, stainless steel, copper, brass and suitably prepared aluminum | CNC Machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Die Casting | Bright to satin metallic nickel; thickness selected according to the required plating specification |
| Electroless Nickel Plating | Chemically deposits a nickel-phosphorus layer without electrical current, allowing comparatively uniform coverage across complex features and recesses | Precision machined components, bores, valve parts, complex housings and engineering components | Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper alloys and selected metals with proper pretreatment | CNC Machining, Die Casting | Common functional coatings are approximately 5–50 μm, with roughly 12–25 μm frequently used for general engineering applications |
| Chrome Plating | Deposits chromium onto metal parts for either decorative appearance or engineering applications; the required process must be defined according to the intended use | Shafts, tooling, wear components, decorative hardware and selected precision surfaces | Steel and other properly prepared metallic substrates | CNC Machining, Die Casting | Engineering hard chrome can range from approximately 10–250 μm for many functional applications, while decorative chrome is substantially thinner |
| Powder Coating | Applies electrostatically charged powder followed by thermal curing to form a continuous colored coating on metal components | Enclosures, frames, cabinets, brackets, panels and fabricated products | Steel, stainless steel, aluminum and other heat-compatible conductive substrates | Sheet Metal Fabrication, Die Casting, Sand Casting, CNC Machining | Approximately 60–120 μm for many general industrial applications |
| Liquid Painting | Applies liquid coating systems to achieve specified colors and appearances across metal and selected plastic components | Housings, castings, covers, prototypes, branded components and large fabricated parts | Metals and selected plastics with suitable preparation and primer systems | CNC Machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Die Casting, Sand Casting, Injection Molding | Matte, satin or gloss; dry-film thickness depends on primer, paint chemistry and coating system |
| E-Coating / Electrophoretic Coating | Uses an electrically driven immersion process to deposit a comparatively uniform coating over conductive metal components, including complex geometries | Automotive-style components, brackets, frames, stamped parts and production metal assemblies | Steel and other conductive metals with appropriate pretreatment | Sheet Metal Fabrication, Die Casting, CNC Machining | Thin, uniform protective film; final thickness depends on coating chemistry and specified performance |
| PTFE / Teflon Coating | Applies a fluoropolymer-based coating to create a smooth functional surface for components requiring controlled surface behavior | Fixtures, sliding components, release surfaces and industrial processing parts | Steel, stainless steel, aluminum and compatible metal substrates | CNC Machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication | Industrial PTFE coating systems commonly fall around 25–75 μm, depending on the coating system and application |
| SPI Mold Finish | Creates a defined mold-cavity surface using polishing or abrasive preparation so the required appearance is transferred directly to injection-molded plastic parts | Consumer housings, optical-style surfaces, polished plastic covers and production molded components | Injection-moldable thermoplastics; final appearance depends on resin | Injection Molding | SPI grades from high-gloss polished surfaces through progressively matte textured finishes |
| VDI Mold Texture | Creates standardized textured mold surfaces that transfer repeatable matte or grain patterns directly to molded plastic components | Handles, electronics housings, industrial controls, automotive-style interiors and textured plastic covers | Injection-moldable thermoplastics | Injection Molding | Defined VDI texture grade selected according to required surface appearance and molded-part geometry |
| Vapor Smoothing | Uses a controlled vapor process to soften and reflow the outer surface of compatible polymer parts, reducing visible layer lines and creating a more continuous finish | Additive-manufactured polymer housings, prototypes, ducts and appearance-sensitive 3D printed parts | Selected thermoplastics compatible with the smoothing chemistry | Plastic 3D Printing | Smooth satin to glossy surface; no universal coating thickness because the existing polymer surface is reflowed rather than coated |