As-machined
AppearanceRa 3.2 µm; machining marks visible
Best forTight tolerance, fast turnaround, cost efficiency
Surface Treatments
Surface treatments for durability and appearance.
Finishing that improves corrosion resistance, wear resistance and cosmetic quality, matched to your drawing.
Why treat surfaces?
Performance and finish, by design
Durability & corrosion resistance
Improve durability, corrosion resistance and appearance so parts last in service.
Consistent colour & texture
Consistent colour, texture and surface quality across every part in a batch.
Protection from wear
Protect parts from wear and environmental exposure in demanding applications.
Finishes
Choose a finish for function and look
Each finish trades off appearance, protection and cost. Tell us the function and we'll recommend the right one at DFM review.
Fine-machined (Ra 1.6)
AppearanceRa 1.6 µm; slightly reflective
Best forTight tolerance, clean appearance, reduced friction
Polishing
AppearanceRa 0.2–0.8 µm (per requirement); reflective, no visible marks
Best forClean appearance, sealing surfaces, reduced friction
NotesMay affect tolerances; not ideal before plating
Bead blasting
AppearanceUniform matte finish
Best forClean cosmetic look, glare reduction, scratch resistance, coating prep
Brushing
AppearanceLinear satin finish, uniform brush lines
Best forDecorative / directional texture
NotesAvailability depends on material and geometry
Anodizing
AppearanceMatte-to-satin, colour optional
Best forCorrosion / wear resistance, electrical insulation, durable cosmetics
NotesType II sulfuric, Type III hard. Aluminium & titanium alloys
Chromate conversion coating
AppearanceClear to iridescent gold film
Best forCorrosion resistance and a paint / adhesive base, keeps electrical conductivity
NotesCommon on aerospace aluminium; very thin film
Passivation
AppearanceNo visible change
Best forCorrosion resistance, cleaner surface chemistry
NotesStainless steels (some carbon steels / titanium)
Plating
AppearanceMatte to bright metallic
Best forCorrosion / wear resistance, conductivity
NotesZinc, nickel, chrome, copper. Carbon / stainless steels & selected alloys; may slightly affect dimensions
Powder coat
AppearanceDurable matte-to-gloss colour
Best forTough decorative colour with corrosion resistance
NotesWide colour range; adds film thickness, call out critical surfaces
Black oxide
AppearanceMatte black conversion coating
Best forGlare reduction and mild corrosion resistance
NotesSteels; near-zero added thickness
Other treatments
Need something not listed here, painting or a specialised coating? Contact us for availability.
Ask about a finishSome finishes affect final dimensions, call out critical surfaces on your drawing so we plan stock and masking accordingly.
How we work together
From RFQ to post-delivery support
Eight clear steps, with typical lead times so you can plan.
1
RFQ
Send your drawings with quantity, material and finish. NDA on request.
2
Quote
within 48 hoursA detailed, line-item quote with lead time, typically within one business day.
3
Engineering review
1–3 daysDFM feedback on finish, masking and critical surfaces before we start.
4
Order & planning
2–5 daysOrder confirmation, certified material procurement, fixturing and CAM programming.
5
Manufacturing & in-process inspection
Machining and finishing with first-article and in-process checks.
6
Final inspection
1 dayFinal in-house inspection — a sampling check (typically ~5%, more on small runs); full 100% inspection on request. CMM and dimensional reports available.
7
Packaging & delivery
Protective packaging, full traceability and worldwide shipment.
8
Post-delivery support
Ongoing engineering support and repeat-order planning as you scale.
Good to know
How finishing is priced
Surface treatments such as anodizing, plating, powder coat and passivation run as a batch and carry a minimum lot charge. Coating one part costs close to coating ten, because the line processes a whole lot either way. Like a fixture, it spreads thin over a larger order and weighs heavily on a single piece.
Some finishes (chrome plating, nickel plating, powder coat, black oxide) are run by specialist finishing partners we coordinate for you, so you still deal with one supplier. On a small order each finish travels out as its own small batch, carrying that partner’s minimum charge and freight both ways, and a specialty finish may go to a specialist further afield, adding a little to cost and lead time. We will help you reach the finish you want; it just helps to know that several different finishes across a few parts carry more of this overhead than one finish on a larger batch.
Get started
Need a specific finish on your parts?
Send your drawings with the finish you need and we'll quote within 48 hours, no minimum order.
Your drawings stay confidential.