Texture and Appearance Finishes

Bead Blasting

Bead blasting uses fine abrasive media to create a uniform matte or satin surface and reduce the visibility of CNC machining marks. It is commonly used on aluminum and stainless-steel parts that require a consistent, non-reflective cosmetic appearance.

Bead blasting can also be performed before anodizing to produce a smoother and more uniform matte anodized finish. Threads, precision fits, sealing surfaces, and other critical features can be masked when required.

• Compatible Materials: Aluminum, stainless steel, steel, titanium and other metals
• Appearance: Uniform matte or satin texture
• Best For: Housings, enclosures, brackets, covers and cosmetic components
• Key Benefits: Consistent appearance, reduced glare, less-visible machining marks
• Dimensional Impact: Minimal

Brushing

Brushing uses abrasive belts, wheels, or pads to create a controlled directional grain on the metal surface. It produces a uniform satin appearance while reducing glare and making minor machining marks less noticeable.

Brushed finishes are commonly used on visible stainless-steel and aluminum components such as panels, housings, covers, enclosures, and appliance parts. For assemblies containing multiple visible components, grain direction should be defined to maintain a consistent appearance.

• Compatible Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum and other suitable metals
• Appearance: Directional satin grain
• Best For: Panels, housings, covers, enclosures and decorative components
• Key Benefits: Consistent cosmetic appearance, reduced glare
• Dimensional Impact: Minimal

Polishing

Polishing mechanically removes fine surface irregularities and machining marks to produce a smoother surface. Depending on the required abrasive sequence and finishing specification, the result can range from a smooth satin appearance to a highly reflective mirror finish.

In addition to improving appearance, polishing can reduce surface roughness and make surfaces easier to clean. It is frequently used for visible metal components, stainless-steel equipment, medical components, and products where surface quality is an important functional or cosmetic requirement.

• Compatible Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum, steel, brass, copper and other metals
• Appearance: Smooth satin to mirror finish
• Best For: Cosmetic components, medical equipment and visible metal surfaces
• Key Benefits: Improved appearance, reduced roughness, improved cleanability
• Dimensional Impact: Material removal must be considered around sharp edges and precision features

Sandblasting

Use a reference for the intended matte texture. Identify cosmetic faces, delicate features, and surfaces where blasting is not permitted.