What is Surface Finishing?
Surface finishing is any post-manufacturing process that modifies a part’s surface for corrosion protection, wear resistance, electrical conductivity, cosmetic appearance, or regulatory compliance. XC Machining applies finishes to aluminum, steel, stainless steel, titanium, copper, brass, and engineering plastics produced by CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, or 3D printing. XC Machining finishes parts in-house — no outsourcing to third-party finishing shops. This means your finish specification is controlled by the same team that machined or molded your part, maintaining dimensional accuracy and eliminating handling damage from inter-facility transport.
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CNC Machining
Value Added Services
Injection Molding
Metal Fabrication
Surface Finishing Prototype Manufacturing Capabilities At XC Machining, we pride ourselves on being the go-to manufacturer for all your Surface Finishing needs, providing reliable and efficient solutions under one roof.
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Surface Finishing Services Overview & Key Highlights:
Surface Treatments
Anodizing (CNC), vapor smoothing (3D prints) and powder coating (sheet metal) Supported Materials
Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, Titanium, Copper, Plastics, and Composites. Key Benefits
Better wear, corrosion resistance, and aesthetics—controlled down to Ra 0.012 µm. Quality Standards
ISO 9001:2015 certified process control, RoHS & REACH compliance, and full roughness testing Finishing Process Surface Roughness (Ra) Dimensional Thickness Change Primary Application / Benefit
As-Machined (Standard) Ra 1.6 – 3.2 µm 0 µm Standard structural and internal mechanical components
Bead Blasting Ra 1.6 – 3.2 µm Minimal (<2 µm) Uniform matte cosmetic finish, eliminates tool marks
Anodizing Type II Ra 0.8 – 1.6 µm +5 to +15 µm Corrosion resistance, decorative color options
Anodizing Type III (Hardcoat) Ra 0.8 – 2.0 µm +25 to +50 µm Extreme wear resistance, high hardness for heavy duty parts
Electroless Nickel Plating Ra 0.4 – 1.2 µm +5 to +25 µm (uniform) Uniform coating for complex internal cavity geometries
Passivation / Chem Film Unchanged 0 µm (microscopic) Corrosion resistance without changing part dimensions
Precision Polishing (SPI A-1) Ra 0.012 – 0.05 µm -1 to -5 µm removal Optical lenses, mold cavities, high-cosmetic panels
Powder Coating Smooth to Textured +50 to +120 µm Heavy-duty outdoor and cosmetic enclosure protection
Representative roughness levels (Ra) and dimensional tolerances for key finishing processes: Surface Roughness & Technical Specification Table
Brushing 01
Brushing creates a directional satin grain at Ra 0.4–0.8 μm on aluminum and stainless steel using 120–400 grit abrasive belts. Produces linear or circular patterns. Compatible with aluminum, steel, stainless, titanium, brass. Applications: consumer electronics panels, appliance faceplates, architectural hardware. Black Oxide Coationg 02
Black oxide deposits a 0.5–1.5 μm magnetite (Fe₃O₄) conversion layer on steel and stainless steel parts without dimensional change. Provides a matte black appearance, mild corrosion resistance (50–100 hr salt spray with oil), and improved lubricity. Applications: fasteners, gears, firearms components, hand tools. Passivation Process 03
Passivation per ASTM A967 removes free iron from stainless steel surfaces using nitric or citric acid, forming a chromium-rich oxide layer. No dimensional change or surface finish change. Enhances corrosion resistance for medical, food-grade, and chemical-exposure applications. Painting 01
Wet or powder coating applies a 25–75 μm pigmented finish for color, UV resistance, and mild corrosion protection. Compatible with steel, aluminum, and stainless steel. Applications: enclosures, brackets, outdoor equipment housings. Polishing 02
Mechanical or electropolishing refines surfaces to a mirror finish down to Ra 0.1–0.2 μm, removing tool marks and micro-burrs. Compatible with stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and titanium. Applications: medical devices, food-grade equipment, decorative components. Alodine Coating 03
Chromate conversion coating per MIL-DTL-5541 forms a thin protective layer on aluminum, improving corrosion resistance and providing a conductive base for painting. No measurable dimensional change. Applications: aerospace brackets, electrical enclosures, RF-shielded housings. Most Common Surface Finishes at XC Machining? XC Machining applies the following surface finishes to CNC machined, sheet metal, injection molded, and 3D printed parts.
CNC Machining
CNC Machining
Aluminum
3D Printing
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Injection Molding
Injection Molding
Aluminum
Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and highly machinable for precision and structural parts. Get a Quote
6061
6082
6082
6061-T6
7075
7075
Upload your STEP, STP, STL, or IGES file along with your surface finish specification. If you're unsure which finish to select, our engineers will recommend the optimal option based on your material, application, and cosmetic requirements. Upload the Design File /01
We review your files and specification, then send back a detailed quote with pricing and lead time, plus recommendations to reduce cost without compromising performance. Get Your Quote /02
Once approved, your parts move to the finishing line under quality-controlled conditions, with in-process checks against your cosmetic and dimensional requirements. We Finish Your Parts /03
Every batch is inspected against your finish specification before packaging, with certificates of conformance available on request and tracked shipping to your door. Inspection & Delivery /04
Solutions For Every Industries Served
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Aerospace Medical Automotive Electronics Mining
Aerospace Certified aerospace components built for mission-critical performance and full traceability
Frequently Asked
Questions
Got questions about materials, tolerances, or lead times? Here’s what customers ask most before placing their first order — and if yours isn’t listed, our engineers are one message away.
Yes. XC Machining ships CNC machined and manufactured parts to 120+ countries via DHL, FedEx, and UPS with full tracking and customs documentation included.
Let’s bring your vision to life Upload your CAD files and project details below — our engineers reply with a detailed quote and free DFM feedback within one business day.