The Importance of a Surface Finish<\/h2>\n
A proper surface finish ensures that the final product looks better and lasts longer. So the biggest beneficiary is the end-user. At the same time, some surface finishing techniques also help manufacturers in the production process.<\/p>\n
For example, brushing the surface before applying paint increases the metal’s adhesion. This makes a good-quality finish easier to obtain.<\/p>\n
Among the many benefits obtained from surface finish processes, we can highlight the following:<\/p>\n
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- Increased corrosion resistance<\/li>\n
- Helping with the adhesion of paint and other coatings<\/li>\n
- Elimination of surface defects<\/li>\n
- Increased resistance to chemicals<\/li>\n
- Improved conductivity and added surface electrical conduction<\/li>\n
- Increased strength and resistance to wear while the friction effects are minimised<\/li>\n
- Enhanced aesthetics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Clearly, surface finishing brings along some great qualities. And this list is not comprehensive, it only includes the most common reasons for applying a surface finish.<\/p>\n
What Is the Unit of a Surface Finish?<\/h2>\n
One way to compare surface finishes is by looking at the surface roughness. Roughness represents the smoothness of the surface. But a smoother surface is not always advantageous. Rather, it depends on the use case.<\/p>\n
There are several parameters for showing the surface roughness. The most common is Ra. This shows the arithmetical mean deviation on the surface.<\/p>\n
In essence, a smaller number means a smoother surface. Usually, surface roughness is shown in micrometres. There is also a standardised table for ISO grades that each account for a certain roughness value.<\/p>\n
![\"Surface](\"https:\/\/fractory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Surface-roughness-table.jpg\")
<\/p>\nStainless steel finishes<\/a> have a different set of standards for displaying quality. Read more on that from the linked article.<\/p>\n
How Is Surface Roughness Measured?<\/h2>\n
Measuring the surface roughness of a metal involves analysing the irregularities found on the surface. This analysis can be done in two ways.<\/p>\n
Firstly, you can do it manually with a surface roughness comparator<\/a> which is not very accurate. If in need of precise measurements, turn to a surface profile scanner.<\/p>\n
The latter is also the most common method because of its accuracy.<\/p>\n
\n\n Scale Your Manufacturing from Prototyping to Series<\/span>\n\n- \n
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