Aluminum Surface Finishing

Aluminum Surface Finishing Services

We provide high-quality aluminum surface finishing services including anodizing, polishing, and coating to improve durability, corrosion resistance, and appearance for industrial applications.

What Finishing can be done on Aluminum CNC Machining Parts？

Polishing

There are several methods to achieve a glossy surface on aluminum. A common approach is to anodize the machined parts first, followed by polishing to refine the surface roughness and improve appearance.

Advantages:
Cost-effective solution with relatively low processing cost.

Disadvantages:

Requires high-quality raw machined surfaces; rough textures will still appear after polishing.
Polishing may slightly affect dimensional accuracy, making it unsuitable for parts with very tight tolerances.

High-Gloss Mirror Finishing

Mirror finishing is a premium surface treatment process that produces an ultra-smooth, highly reflective aluminum surface, delivering a luxurious, mirror-like appearance widely used in high-end decorative and consumer applications.

Disadvantages:

The overall processing cost is relatively high, as it requires multiple precise polishing and finishing steps.
The surface is very sensitive to damage; even minor scratches, fingerprints, or impacts during handling and transport can permanently affect the appearance and reduce the visual quality of the part.

Chrome Plating Finish

Chrome plating on aluminum creates a high-gloss, mirror-like surface similar to polished finishes, but with an additional electroplated protective layer that enhances durability. This coating significantly improves wear resistance, allowing normal hand contact and daily handling without affecting the surface quality. Only hard impacts or abrasive contact may cause visible damage.

Advantages:
Delivers a premium mirror effect while providing excellent wear and scratch resistance compared to standard polishing.

Disadvantages:
The process cost is higher than direct anodizing or mirror polishing, and it requires strict material preparation and surface quality before electroplating.

Hard Anodizing

Anodizing for aluminum generally falls into two types: standard anodizing and hard anodizing. The main difference lies in the coating thickness. Standard anodizing typically has a layer below 10μm, while hard anodizing is usually above 20μm. A thicker coating provides significantly better wear resistance, but also increases processing cost.

Standard anodizing is a cost-effective solution mainly used for corrosion protection, but its wear resistance is relatively limited. Hard anodizing, on the other hand, is chosen when higher durability and surface strength are required, though it comes at a higher cost.

Visually, both finishes are almost identical to the naked eye. The difference can only be identified through professional tools such as a coating thickness gauge. A simple 2B pencil scratch test can also help distinguish between standard and hard anodizing.

Aluminum Material Properties

Aluminum Material Properties Overview

Comprehensive technical data for aluminum alloys used in precision manufacturing

Material	Elastic Modulus (GPa)	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Yield Strength (MPa)	Key Attributes	Typical Applications
Aluminum 1050	–	95 – 125	75	Malleability, corrosion resistance, weldability, high conductivity	Chemical instruments, sheet metal parts, heat exchangers, kitchen utensils
Aluminum 1060	69	110 – 136	35	Excellent formability, corrosion resistance, conductivity	Battery components, lighting, electronics, decorative parts
Aluminum 2024-T3/T4	72.4	470 – 485	325 – 345	High strength, fatigue resistance, aerospace grade	Aerospace structures, military components, precision molds
Aluminum 5052-H32	70	230	195	Corrosion resistance, weldability, medium strength	Marine parts, automotive panels, electrical enclosures
Aluminum 5083	–	275 – 350	210	Excellent corrosion resistance, weldability, marine grade	Shipbuilding, pressure vessels, transportation equipment
Aluminum 6061-T6	69	310	275	Machinability, anodizing compatibility, structural strength	Machined parts, automotive, electronics, molds
Aluminum 6063-T5/T6	69	185	145	Extrusion performance, corrosion resistance	Profiles, frames, construction systems, furniture
Aluminum 7075-T6	72	570	505	Ultra-high strength, wear resistance, aerospace grade	Aerospace parts, gears, shafts, high-load fixtures
MIC-6	71	166	105	High flatness, stability, precision machining grade	Precision plates, molds, fixtures, optical components

CNC Machining Design Guide

Essential Design Tips for Engineers & Buyers to Ensure Quality Machined Parts

Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
Tolerance & Dimensional Control
Surface Finish Selection
Common Design Pitfalls to Avoid
Material & Process Optimization
Cost & Production Efficiency Consideration

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Aluminum Surface Finishing