Surface Finishes Guide
Each surface finish process includes compatible materials, tolerance impact, cost increase, and typical application scenarios.
Anodizing
Anodizing is the most common surface treatment for aluminum alloys. It uses an e…
- Compatible Materials
- Aluminum 6061, Aluminum 6063, Aluminum 7075
- Durability
- Long
- Tolerance Impact
- Coating thickness 10-25μm; dimension gro…
Electronic enclosure exteriorsRobot frame decorationAerospace structural parts
Electroplating
Electroplating deposits a layer of another metal on a substrate via electrolysis…
- Compatible Materials
- Carbon steel, Stainless steel, Copper alloy, Aluminum (with undercoat)
- Durability
- Long
- Tolerance Impact
- Coating thickness 5-25μm. Precision part…
Decorative visible partsWear-resistant shaft surfacesCorrosion-resistant fasteners
Passivation
Passivation uses nitric or citric acid to remove free iron ions from stainless s…
- Compatible Materials
- Stainless 304, Stainless 316L, Stainless 316
- Durability
- Long
- Tolerance Impact
- Material removal <1μm; no effect on dime…
Medical device partsFood equipment componentsChemical valves
Polishing / Mirror Finish
Mechanical polishing progressively reduces surface roughness using abrasive pape…
- Compatible Materials
- Stainless 304, Stainless 316L, Aluminum, Copper alloy, Mold steel S136
- Durability
- Medium
- Tolerance Impact
- Material removal 5-50μm; can correct lig…
Mirror mold surfacesMedical device surfacesFood equipment interiors
Powder Coating
Powder coating (electrostatic powder spraying) applies plastic powder to a workp…
- Compatible Materials
- Carbon steel, Aluminum, Stainless steel
- Durability
- Very Long
- Tolerance Impact
- Film thickness 60-120μm; dimension grows…
Electrical cabinet enclosuresEquipment protective coversLarge bracket frames
Sandblasting
Sandblasting uses a high-speed abrasive stream to impact the workpiece surface, …
- Compatible Materials
- Aluminum, Stainless steel, Carbon steel, Titanium, Copper alloy
- Durability
- Medium
- Tolerance Impact
- Material removal is very small (1-5μm); …
Pre-treatment for visible partsWeldment cleaningDeburring
Zinc Plating
Zinc plating applies a zinc coating to steel for corrosion protection. It comes …
- Compatible Materials
- Carbon steel Q235, Carbon steel 45#, Alloy steel
- Durability
- Long
- Tolerance Impact
- Electro-zinc film 5-15μm; hot-dip galvan…
Carbon steel flangesStructural bracketsFastener bolts
