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Finishes

Whether for aesthetics or functionality, finishes play a crucial role in any manufacturing process. At Alpha-Mold, we utilize both our internal resources and trusted external partners to offer a comprehensive range of finishing options tailored to your specific application. We are ready to collaborate with you to discuss your project’s requirements and determine the ideal finish for your needs. From final parts to assemblies, Alpha-Mold can provide the following finishes to ensure your project meets the highest standards.

If you’re looking for a specific finishing or post-processing option that isn’t listed, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always open to discussing your unique requirements and can review to accommodate your needs.

Our Most Common Surface Finishes and Second Treatments

    As Machined

    Standard finish that parts come directly off the machine, cleaned and deburred.

    The standard surface roughness (Ra) is 3.2 μm. If higher precision is required, surface finish can be improved to Ra values of 1.6, 0.8, or 0.4 μm

    Applicable material: Metals, Plastics

    Sand Blasting

    Improve Surface Finish and Adhesion

    Sand blasting, also known as abrasive blasting, is an essential surface treatment process that effectively creates uniform surface profiles while enhancing the visual appearance of parts. By propelling fine abrasive materials onto the surface, sand blasting removes contaminants, imperfections, and machine marks, leaving behind a smooth or textured finish.

    One of the key benefits of sand blasting is its ability to significantly improve the adhesion properties of substrates, allowing for superior bonding with paints, coatings, or plating processes like anodizing. This method not only speeds up paint adhesion but also ensures a long-lasting and durable finish.

    Commonly used to achieve a uniform matte finish, sand blasting is ideal for preparing parts for further treatments by hiding small imperfections and creating a clean, ready-to-coat surface. Whether for aesthetic improvement or functional surface preparation, sand blasting is a versatile process widely used across industries for high-quality finishing.

    Applicable material: Metals, Plastics

    Anodizing

    Durable Protection and Enhanced Surface Finish

    Anodizing enhances corrosion resistance, increases surface hardness, and improves wear resistance. This process serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. The two primary types of anodizing are Type II and Type III.

    Type II anodizing is primarily used for producing parts with a uniform, aesthetically appealing surface. It offers good corrosion resistance and moderate wear protection, with a wide range of color dye options. Typical coating thicknesses are as follows: 12-18 μm for black, 8-12 μm for clear, and 4-8 μm for colored finishes.

    Type III anodizing, also known as hard anodizing, provides superior corrosion and wear resistance, making it ideal for functional applications. However, its color options are limited, typically available in clear or black. The typical coating thickness ranges from 30 to 125 μm.

    Anodizing is one of the most popular finishing processes for aluminum parts in the manufacturing industry due to its durability and versatility.

    Applicable material: Aluminum, Titanium

    Alodine

    Protective Coating for Corrosion Resistance and Paint Adhesion

    Alodine, also known as chromate conversion coating, is a chemical process used to protect aluminum and other metals from corrosion while enhancing paint adhesion. It creates a thin, protective layer without significantly altering the part’s dimensions, making it ideal for applications requiring both electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance.

    Commonly used in aerospace, automotive, and military industries, Alodine coatings are effective at preventing oxidation and preparing surfaces for further treatments like painting or powder coating. This process is valued for its ease of application and durability.

    Alodine is a cost-effective solution for improving metal protection and ensuring a strong bond for subsequent coatings.

    Applicable material: Aluminum, Aerospace Alloys

    Black Oxide

    Corrosion Protection and Enhanced Appearance

    Black oxide is a surface treatment process that creates a thin, black protective layer on metal parts. This process improves corrosion resistance, reduces glare, and enhances the overall appearance of the material. It is commonly used on steel, stainless steel, and iron components.

    In addition to its protective benefits, black oxide also improves lubricity, reduces friction, and helps prevent rust formation, making it ideal for parts exposed to moisture or harsh environments. The black oxide coating is often used in industries like automotive, firearms, and machinery for both functional and aesthetic purposes.

    This process is valued for its ability to provide a durable, matte black finish without significantly altering the dimensions of the treated part.

    Applicable material: Steel, Iron

    Heat Treatment

    Strengthen and Enhance Material Properties

    Heat treatment is a process used to alter the physical and mechanical properties of metals. By applying controlled heating and cooling cycles, heat treatment improves material strength, hardness, toughness, and wear resistance, making parts more durable for various applications.

    This process is commonly used to relieve internal stresses, enhance machinability, and improve resistance to corrosion or fatigue. Heat treatment is essential in industries like automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing, ensuring that parts perform reliably under demanding conditions.

    Whether it's hardening, tempering, annealing, or normalizing, heat treatment plays a key role in optimizing material properties to meet specific requirements.

    Applicable material: Metals

    Powder Coating

    Durable and Eco-Friendly Surface Protection

    Powder coat is a finishing process that applies a thin, protective layer of polymer to the surface of a part. Utilizing the corona discharge phenomenon, electrically charged powder particles are attracted and adhered to the workpiece. Once applied, the powder is heated, forming a smooth, durable, and wear-resistant finish. This process provides excellent protection against corrosion, chemicals, and mechanical wear.

    The typical coating thickness ranges from 50 µm to 150 µm, offering robust protection without significantly altering the dimensions of the coated part. It has higher impact resistance compared to anodizing, comes with a large range of colors, and can be applied to any metal.

    Powder coating is widely used for its strength, longevity, and environmentally friendly nature.

    Applicable material: Metals

    Plating

    Enhancing Durability and Aesthetics

    Plating is a surface finishing process that involves depositing a thin layer of metal onto a substrate, typically through methods like electroplating, electroless plating, and galvanization, each offering different benefits depending on the application. This process enhances the performance and appearance of parts, offering multiple functional and aesthetic benefits.

    Key advantages of plating include improved corrosion resistance, enhanced wear resistance, better electrical conductivity, and a visually appealing finish. It is commonly used to protect parts from environmental damage and wear, optimize electrical performance, and provide an attractive, durable surface.

    Plating is widely applied in industries such as electronics, automotive, and aerospace, where components need both functional reliability and a refined appearance.

    Applicable material: Metals, Plastics

    PVD Coating

    High-Performance Surface Finishing for Durability and Aesthetics

    PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating is an advanced surface treatment process that involves depositing thin films of material onto a substrate in a vacuum environment. This technique enhances the performance and durability of parts by providing superior hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and enhanced aesthetics. Unlike traditional coating methods, PVD uses physical processes, such as evaporation or sputtering, to create a dense and uniform coating with excellent adhesion.

    PVD coatings are widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, tooling, and jewelry, offering enhanced functionality while also improving the aesthetic appeal with various finishes like gold, titanium, or black. The process is environmentally friendly and provides a longer-lasting, high-quality finish that can withstand harsh environments.

    Key PVD coating materials includes TiN, DLC, CrN, ZrN and TiAlN.

    Applicable material: Metals, Plastic

    Painting

    Protective Coating and Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal

    Painting is a versatile and widely used surface finishing process that involves spraying a protective layer of paint onto materials such as metal, wood, and plastic. This process not only improves the appearance of products by offering various color options that can match any Pantone color number, but it also provides various texture options, from matte to gloss, depending on the desired cosmetic effect.

    In addition to its aesthetic benefits, painting serves as a barrier to environmental factors, extending the lifespan of parts and structures. It is commonly used in industries such as automotive, construction, and manufacturing for both functional and decorative purposes.

    Applicable material: Metals, Plastics

    Printing & Etching

    Custom Text, Logos, and Precision Surface Marking

    Printing and etching are essential surface finishing techniques used for adding detailed markings, logos, and designs on materials such as metals and plastics.

    In printing, two common methods are silkscreen printing and pad printing, both of which require custom stencils that are cost-effective to produce. Silkscreen printing is ideal for flat surfaces, offering clean and consistent results, while pad printing excels on curved or uneven surfaces, making it versatile for complex part geometries. These printing methods are widely used for branding, product labels, and decorative finishes.

    Etching, on the other hand, is a chemical or laser process that removes material from the surface to create permanent, engraved designs without the need for any physical tooling. This method is favored for its accuracy and durability, making it perfect for fine details, serial numbers, or textures. Etching is particularly popular in rapid prototyping due to its quick turnaround time and flexibility for low-volume orders, ensuring fast and high-quality results.

    Applicable material: Metals, Plastics

    Brushed Finish

    Enhancing Aesthetic Appeal and Texture

    A brushed finish is a popular surface treatment for metal components, offering a smooth, satin-like texture with fine parallel lines. This finish is achieved by sanding or brushing the surface, which not only removes imperfections but also creates a visually appealing pattern that adds depth and character to the metal.

    Commonly used in stainless steel, aluminum, and other metals, the brushed finish is valued for its elegant, modern appearance, making it a preferred choice for appliances, furniture, automotive trim, and architectural designs. Besides aesthetics, it also helps reduce the visibility of fingerprints and minor scratches, contributing to the material’s durability.

    The brushed finish strikes a balance between aesthetic appeal and functionality, making it ideal for both decorative and practical applications.

    Applicable material: Metals

    SPI

    Standardized Surface Quality for Precision Molding

    SPI finish refers to a standardized surface finish used in mold making and manufacturing, defined by the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI). This finish is crucial for achieving the desired texture and quality of molded parts, with different grades ranging from smooth to rough surfaces.

    Commonly used in plastic injection molding, the SPI finish system includes categories like SPI A (high-gloss finish), SPI B (semi-gloss finish), and SPI C (matte finish), each serving different functional and aesthetic purposes. The choice of SPI finish impacts factors like part appearance, mold release, and surface texture, making it critical in industries such as automotive, medical devices, and consumer products.

    Selecting the right SPI finish guarantees a precise and consistent surface quality, enhancing both the look and functionality of molded parts.

    Applicable material: Plastics

    Fitting & Assembly

    Offer ODM & OEM Sevvices

    In projects that involve multiple components, often manufactured using different methods, proper fit and functionality are essential to ensuring the final product's success. Fitting and assembly is the process where all parts are brought together after manufacturing, and adjustments are made to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance.

    This crucial step helps identify any misalignments or imperfections, allowing for adjustments to achieve the desired result. Whether it’s in industries like automotive, electronics, or machinery, fitting and assembly ensures that each component works in harmony, delivering a high-quality finished product.

    Applicable material: Metals, Plastics