Surface Finishes and Secondary Operations

Surface finish can be cosmetic, protective, functional, or all three. It affects cost because it may require outside processing, masking, rack marks, inspection, and extra lead time.

Common options

• Anodizing for aluminum corrosion resistance and appearance
• Passivation for stainless steel surface cleaning
• Plating for wear, conductivity, or corrosion needs
• Bead blasting for a uniform matte appearance
• Polishing for lower roughness or visual quality

Design implications

Finishes can change dimensions slightly. If a tight fit is required after coating, tell the supplier whether dimensions apply before or after finish.