Common Types of Surface Finish for Metal Parts
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2023-09-23
Surface finish refers to the process used to alter a metal’s surface by adding, removing or reshaping, it helps to improve the aesthetics, strength, electrical and other properties of metal components.
In manufacturing, common types of surface finishes processes for metal parts as below:
POWDER COATING- Powder coating is a typical metal finishing process that supplies an additional chemically inert coating to the outer layer. The powdered paint is blown and evenly distributed over the surface.
This coating technique increases wear resistance and corrosion protection while being aesthetically pleasing
ANODIZING- Anodizing is an electrochemical process that changes the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant anodic oxide thin film.
Anodization is a very common surface treatment on aluminum parts, that can enhance its decoration and functionality.
Electroplating– Electroplating can form a thin metallic coating on the surface of parts. The electroplating process passes a positively-charged electrical current through a solution containing dissolved metal ions and a negatively charged electrical current through the metallic part to be plated. Common metals utilized for electroplating are cadmium, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, silver, tin, and zinc. Almost any base metal that conducts electricity can be electroplated to enhance its performance.
Polishing- Polishing is a surface finish that make use of mechanical, chemical, or electrochemical methods to lower the surface roughness of machined or stamped parts in order to get a shiny and smooth surface.
