Metal products surround us everywhere. Some are shiny, others matte. Some are metallic, others coloured. The looks of a metal object depend solely on one thing – its surface finish. Surface finish, also known as surface texture or surface topography.
The purpose of surface treatment is to meet the product’s corrosion resistance, wear resistance, decoration or other special functional requirements.
In general, the cost of manufacturing a surface increases as the surface finish improves. Any given manufacturing process is usually optimized enough to ensure that the resulting texture is usable for the part’s intended application. If necessary, an additional process will be added to modify the initial texture. The expense of this additional process must be justified by adding value in some way—principally better function or longer lifespan. Parts that have sliding contact with others may work better or last longer if the roughness is lower. Aesthetic improvement may add value if it improves the saleability of the product.
