Surface Finishing
We offer a variety of surface finishing methods, both in-house and through our supplier network, to improve your part's durability, surface finish, and aesthetic appearance.
Surface Finishing Options for CNC Machined Parts
A machined component's surface finish is crucial when it interacts with other components.
Take a ball bearing for example. They are designed to minimize rotational friction and support loads. As the races rotate, the balls also turn due to their contact. If the surfaces of the balls or races are not finished correctly, friction increases, leading to more wear and a shorter lifespan, even if the components meet geometric tolerances.
It is worth noting, though, that there is a difference between surface finish and surface finishing. The table below describes th various surface finishing methods that we offer both in-house and across our supplier network.
Check out our knowledge base article for more information about the differences between surface finish and surface finishing methods.
| Description | Compatible Materials |
In-House |
Network |
|
| Anodize Type II |
An electrochemical process that forms a moderately thick, corrosion-resistant oxide layer that improves your part’s durability Applied with: media blasting, tumbling, chem film |
Aluminum Titanium |
X | |
| Anodize Type III |
A thick, dense anodic coating, also known as hardcoat anodize, that’s applied to aluminum to improve wear resistance, corrosion protection, and electrical insulation Applied with: media blasting, tumbling, chem film |
Aluminum |
X | |
| As Machined |
A standard finish with edges deburred and visible toolmarks Applied with: -- |
Metals Plastics |
X | |
| Bead Blast |
A mechanical finishing process that uses spherical media (i.e., glass or ceramic) to gently polish a surface, imparting a smoother finish with minimal material removal Applied with: all post processes, except electropolish and powder coat |
Metals Plastics |
X | |
| Conversion Coating |
A chemical surface treatment that transforms the metal substrate into a thin, corrosion-resistant layer without adding significant thickness; common types include chromate, phosphate, and oxide coatings Applied with: media blasting, tumbling, Type II anodize, Type III anodize with PTFE |
Aluminum (chromate) Steel (phosphate) Mild steels (oxide) |
X | |
| Deburring |
A mechanical finishing process used to remove sharp edges, burrs, or residual material from machined parts using tools like files, blades, or abrasive pads Applied with: -- |
Metals Plastics |
X | |
| Dry Ice Blasting |
A non-abrasive cleaning process that uses compressed air to accelerate dry ice pellets that sublimate on impact to lift contaminants off the surface without leaving a residue or damaging the part Applied with: -- |
Metals Plastics |
X | |
| Electroless Nickel Plating |
A chemical process that deposits a uniform layer of nickel-phosphorus alloy onto a substrate without using electricity, offering excellent corrosion resistance, wear protection, and consistent coverage even on complex geometries Applied with: media blasting, tumbling |
Aluminum Steel |
X | |
| Electropolish | An electrochemical process that removes a thin layer of metal from a part’s surface to improve smoothness, brightness, and corrosion resistance |
Stainless Steel |
X | |
| Grit Blast |
A cleaning and texturing process that uses abrasive particles (i.e., aluminum oxide or silicon carbide) to impart a rougher, matte finish that’s ideal for coating adhesion or mechanical bonding Applied with: -- |
Metals |
X | |
| Laser Mark |
Add labeling, logos, and/or other text to your parts Applied with: -- |
Metals Plastics |
X | |
| Passivation |
A non-electrolytic process that uses nitric or citric acid to remove free iron from metal, create a protective oxide layer, and prevent corrosion Applied with: black oxide, electroless nickel plating, zinc plating, tumbling, media blasting |
Metals |
X | |
| Powder Coat |
A dry finishing process where finely ground pigment and resin particles are electrostatically charged and sprayed onto the part’s surface, then cured under heat to form a durable, uniform, and protective coating Applied with: -- |
Metals |
X | |
| Vibratory Deburring |
Parts are placed in a rotating barrel with abrasive media to achieve smooth edges and finish Applied with: all post processes, except electropolish and powder coat |
Metals Plastics |
X |
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