Surface finishes

Polishing services

Polishing, an art as much as a science, plays a pivotal role in modern manufacturing. Beyond mere aesthetics, this meticulous process involves refining surfaces to achieve a smooth, mirror-like finish, enhancing functionality and visual appeal. Whether applied to metals, plastics, or other materials, polishing removes minute imperfections, reducing friction and wear.

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Introduction To Polishing Surface Finish

Polishing is the process of creating a smooth and shiny surface, either through physical rubbing of the part or by chemical interference. The process produces a surface with significant specular reflection, but in some materials is able to reduce diffuse reflection.

Polishing can improve the appearance of new or used metal parts, including components in cars and other vehicles, handrails, cookware, kitchenware, and architectural metal. Pipes may also require buffing, a kind of polishing, to prevent corrosion and buildup of bacteria or mold. Buffing is also used to manufacture light reflectors.

key properties

Parts are manually polished in multiple directions. Surface is smooth and slightly reflective.

Requirement	Specification
Surface roughness	Ra 0.8μm / Ra 32μm
Part masking	Indicate masking requirements in technical drawing
Cosmetic availability	Always cosmetic

Polishing Specifications

Features	Info
Materials	Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel
Colors	n/a
Texture	Glossy
Types	Mechanical polishing, chemical polishing
Applications	Lenses, jewelry, sealing parts

Types Of Polishing Process

Polishing is diverse, with techniques tailored to various materials, desired finishes, and specific applications. Understanding these methods is crucial for selecting the right approach for CNC parts.

Mechanical Polishing

This method uses abrasive materials, like sandpaper or grinding wheels, to physically remove surface imperfections.
It’s ideal for achieving a smooth, matte finish.

Chemical Polishing

Chemical polishing is a process that smoothens and refines a surface by selectively dissolving its protrusions using specific chemical solutions.
Unlike mechanical methods, this technique relies on the material’s reaction with chemicals, resulting in a uniformly polished surface without the need for abrasive tools.

Electropolishing

It often described as “reverse plating,” electropolishing immerses the part in an electrolyte bath
And it uses electric current to remove a thin material layer, refining and smoothing the surface.

Design Considerations

Except from PC/PMMA, the effect of polishing on plastics is negligible. Nylon /POM materials cannot be polished.
Harder metals result in a better polishing effect, but have a higher cost.
Precision requirements cannot be too high when using polishing. Parts with very complicated feature structures are not suitable for the process.

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