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Functional and cosmetic finishing

Specify the surface by what it must do.

Finish selection affects appearance, corrosion behavior, wear, conductivity, fit and cost. The final route must match the alloy, geometry and service environment.

Minimal processing

As machined: visible tool pattern; efficient for internal and functional parts.

Deburred: sharp burrs removed while preserving drawing-controlled edges.

Mechanical texture

Bead blasting: creates a more uniform matte appearance but may soften visual edge contrast.

Polishing/brushing: adjusts roughness and directional appearance.

Conversion and coatings

Anodizing, passivation, plating, black oxide and powder coating each have material and functional limits.

Selection matrix

FinishCommon material fitTypical purposeDrawing questions
As machinedMetals and plasticsFastest functional conditionRequired roughness? Cosmetic zones?
Bead blastedAluminum, stainless and others after reviewUniform matte textureMedia, gloss target, protected features?
AnodizedAluminum alloysProtective/decorative oxide layerStandard, type, thickness, color, sealing, masking?
PassivatedStainless steelSurface cleaning and corrosion-performance supportStandard and required verification?
Powder coatedSuitable conductive substratesDurable colored coatingColor, texture, thickness, masked fits?
PlatedProcess-dependent metalsWear, corrosion, conductivity or appearanceBase metal, deposit, thickness and test?
Black oxideSelected ferrous materialsDark appearance with supplementary protectionOil/wax seal and corrosion expectation?

Dimensions after finishing

Coating build can alter bores, external diameters, threads and mating surfaces. State whether limits apply before or after finish. Mark surfaces to mask and define how masking transitions are accepted.

Cosmetic acceptance

A color name is rarely enough. For customer-facing parts, provide a color reference or approved sample, identify Class A surfaces, define acceptable contact marks and consider lot-to-lot variation. Alloy and pretreatment influence final appearance.

Finish RFQ checklist

  • Base material and temper.
  • Finish standard, type/class and revision where applicable.
  • Color, gloss or texture reference.
  • Thickness and functional tests when required.
  • Masked threads, fits, electrical contacts and sealing faces.
  • Packaging protection for cosmetic surfaces.

Content is an original synthesis informed by publicly available finish overviews from Chinese manufacturing peers such as RapidDirect and 3ERP, plus technical anodizing references. Supplier-specific claims were not reused.