The Various Benefits of Metal Finishing

Deburring or finishing metal parts removes imperfections which could hinder performance. But there are additional benefits of metal finishing, both aesthetic and functional. These include prolonging useful life, improving appearance, and enabling maintenance.

Enables Consistent Application of Protective Coatings

Deburring removes remnants, rough edges, fins, and attached shards from metal (or sometimes wood) parts. By removing these abnormalities, the deburring process enables the smooth and uniform application of protective or decorative coatings on the part. Processes like plating, anodizing, and powder coating are more reliable on a deburred, finished part. The part will last longer with a protective coating, and applying a coating on a smooth, consistent, and even surface reduces the risk that the coating itself will crack or fail.

Beautifies Metal’s Appearance

Metal finishing can provide a shiny, textured or matte finish on a part. Deburring processes use different types of machines depending on the part’s material and the precision of the finish required. Rough or coarse foundry parts don’t necessarily need to be absolutely smooth and shiny, and large barrel or vibratory deburring machines do the job of finishing the parts. Other materials need a more refined process or a different materials to create the friction that polishes the part, like tumblers for polishing precious metal jewelry in gold or silver.

Makes Cleaning Easier

A smooth surface is, by its nature, easier to clean than a grooved or pockmarked surface. The polished, deburred surface of a finished metal part resists accumulation or adhesion of contaminants that otherwise might stick to the part when they are unwanted.

Finished metal parts are all around us; in kitchens, cars, electronics, and medical equipment, even musical instruments. If a part is made of metal, it benefits from metal finishing, and so does whatever larger devices, tools, or instruments use the part in their assembly.