Two Basic Types Of Surface Treatment Finishes

Precision parts often require heightened strength and toughness, or treatments for anti-rusting, as well as a metal surface treatments to acquire a specific aesthetically pleasing look and feel. Surface treatment is improvements to the surface properties of a metal fabricated part.

There are two basic types of surface treatment finishes.
Ones that add to the surface of the part – Metal Finishing. And ones that remove from the parts surface layer – Surface Finishing. Examples of metal finishing options that add to the surface layer include painting, powder coating, anodizing, and plating. Surface finishing options that remove parts from the surface layer include grinding, polishing, and abrasion.

Metal Finishing:
Utilizing these finishing techniques often creates a visually pleasing aesthetic or decorative surface coating. Metal finishing can also add a protective layer that safeguards the part from environmental conditions. This process hardens the metal or protects against natural oxidation and rusting.

Because metals are often exposed to numerous elements preventing rust, oxidation and corrosion are the most common surface treatments in metal fabrication. Another reason to choose a metal finishing treatment is to improve the part’s functionality or increase durability.

Surface Finishing:
On the opposite spectrum, surface finishing is techniques that remove aspects from the surface layer. These processes are functional coating utilized to change appearance, increase durability, or increase the functionality of a wide variety of metals.

In the same vein, removal processes create different aesthetics than adding treatments for a completely new finished look. Specific treatments also increase functionality and provide tighter tolerances.