¶ Post-Processes & Finishes: Enhance Function, Durability & Aesthetics
The final touch defines the product. Post-processing transforms a manufactured part into a finished product. It can dramatically improve appearance, enhance corrosion and wear resistance, add special functionality (like conductivity or lubricity), and prepare parts for assembly or branding.
Why Surface Finish Matters:
- Performance & Protection: Shields against corrosion, wear, and harsh environments.
- Aesthetics & Branding: Delivers the desired visual appeal, texture, and professional quality.
- Functionality: Can alter electrical conductivity, solderability, or friction properties.
- Precision & Cleanliness: Removes burrs, sharp edges, and manufacturing residues.
Navigate our finish categories below to find the perfect solution for your part's requirements.
¶ 1 🛠 Mechanical Finishes & Basic Surface Preparation
Alter the surface texture or geometry through physical means, often as a preparation step or to achieve a uniform look.
Standard (As-Milled) (Ra 125μin)
Smooth machining (Ra1.6μm, 63 μin)
Bead Blast
#1000 sanding
Brushed
Electropolished (Ra0.8μm, 32μin)
¶ 2 ⚡ Anodizing & Conversion Coatings
Create a protective, integral oxide layer on metals (primarily aluminum) for corrosion resistance and color.
Anodized
Bead blast + Anodized color
Chemical conversion coat (Chem film)
Electrically conductive oxidation
Black oxide
Passivation
Pickling
¶ 3 🎨 Painting & Organic Coatings
Apply a decorative and protective polymer layer in a wide range of colors and textures.
- Spray Painting:
- Powder Coating:
- Vacuum Plating:
Electrophoresis
¶ 4 🪙 Plating & Electrochemical Finishes
Deposit a thin layer of metal onto the part for decoration, corrosion protection, or functional properties.
- Decorative/Functional Plating:
- Advanced Techniques:
¶ 5 ✏️ Marking & Graphics
Add permanent identifiers, instructions, or branding to the part surface.
¶ 6 🔧 Specialty & Other Processes
Solutions for unique material or functional requirements.
¶ 7 💾 Selection Guide & Best Practices
Learn how to choose, specify, and design for the optimal finish.
- How to Choose a Surface Finish: A Decision Matrix
- Understanding Surface Roughness (Ra): Charts and Applications
- Designing for Post-Processing: Undercuts, Masking, and Racks
- Common Defects in Surface Finishing and How to Avoid Them
- Specifying Finishes on Technical Drawings
¶ Quick Reference by Material & Goal
| Desired Outcome | Recommended Finishes for Metals | Recommended Finishes for Plastics |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Cleanup/Texture | Bead Blast, Sanding, Brushed, Electropolished | Sanding, Bead Blast |
| Corrosion Protection | Anodizing, Conversion Coating, Plating (Zn, Ni), Powder Coat | Painting, Coating |
| Wear Resistance | Hard Chrome Plating, PVD | Hard Coatings, Specialized Plating |
| Decorative Color | Anodizing, Painting, Powder Coating, PVD | Painting, Dyeing, Vacuum Plating |
| Electrical Properties | Conductive Oxidation, Plating (Au, Ag, Sn) | Conductive Paints/Coatings |
| Permanent Marking | Laser Engraving, Etching | Laser Engraving, Silkscreen |