Mechanical Polishing
Application: Industrial OEM components
- Surface smoothing
- Burr removal
- Appearance improvement
Polishing Solutions
Precision Polishing Services for OEM Metal Components
FSD Precision provides mechanical polishing and electropolishing solutions for CNC machined, stainless steel and precision metal components requiring controlled surface roughness, mirror finishes and functional surface performance.
Machined Surface
Mirror Finish Ra < 0.4 µm
Surface RequirementRa TargetPolishing ProcessInspectionFinished Component
Direct Answer
Why Choose Precision Polishing?
Surface Roughness Control
Control Ra value and surface texture for drawing-driven functional surfaces.
Mirror Finish
Improve visible component appearance with controlled gloss and reflectivity.
Edge & Burr Control
Remove machining marks and sharp edges while reviewing critical features.
Functional Surface Improvement
Improve friction, cleanability and surface performance for precision assemblies.
Capability Matrix
Precision Polishing Capability Matrix
Choose polishing processes by material, surface roughness target, visible appearance and critical feature requirements.
Electropolishing (EP)
Application: Medical, semiconductor and fluid components
- Electrochemical surface refinement
- Micro burr removal
- Corrosion resistance improvement
- Clean surface performance
Mirror Polishing
Application: Visible metal hardware and cosmetic components
- High gloss finish
- Reflective surface
- Cosmetic applications
Brushed Finishing
Application: Panels, covers and visible industrial parts
- Directional texture
- Uniform appearance
- Decorative finish
Precision Surface Polishing
Application: Functional surfaces and precision assemblies
- Controlled Ra value
- Functional surfaces
- Precision assemblies
Ra Control
Surface Finish Levels & Roughness Control
Surface roughness targets should be confirmed before production so polishing method, inspection plan and handling controls align with the drawing requirement.
Standard Finish
Ra 1.6 - 3.2 µm
63 - 125 µin
Application: Industrial components
Fine Finish
Ra 0.8 - 1.6 µm
32 - 63 µin
Application: Functional visible surfaces
Mirror Finish
Ra 0.1 - 0.4 µm
4 - 16 µin
SPI: A-2 / A-1
Ultra Fine Finish
Ra <0.05 µm
<2 µin
Application: Optical / Semiconductor
Material Compatibility
Polishing Compatibility by Material
| Material | Result |
|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | Excellent |
| Aluminum | Excellent |
| Copper | Excellent |
| Brass | Excellent |
| Titanium | Good |
| Die Casting | Requires Evaluation |
Engineering Review
Engineering Considerations Before Polishing
Surface Roughness Requirements
Ra requirements should be defined before production to select the correct polishing process, inspection method and surface handling plan.
Edge Radiusing & Dimension Control
Over-polishing may increase edge radius, enlarge holes or affect mating surfaces. Precision masking and controlled polishing techniques protect H7 bores and sealing surfaces.
Cosmetic Surface Protection
Visible surfaces require controlled handling after polishing to avoid scratches, fingerprints and transport damage before final release.
Workflow
Polishing Process Workflow
A controlled workflow aligns surface roughness targets, edge requirements and final inspection before delivery.
01
Surface Preparation
- Inspection
- Grinding
- Deburring
02
Precision Finishing
- Pre-Polishing
- Fine Polishing
- Electropolishing
03
Final Verification
- Cleaning
- Ra Inspection
- Final Release
Quality Control
Polishing Quality Verification
Polished surfaces can be checked by roughness measurement, optical review, dimensional inspection and cleanliness controls according to project requirements.
Surface Roughness Measurement
Ra measurement report when required.
Optical Profilometer
Non-contact surface texture review.
Visual Inspection
Check scratches, gloss and visible defects.
Dimensional Inspection
Review critical edges, holes and mating surfaces.
Cleanliness Check
Confirm handling and packaging cleanliness.
Applications
Applications
Precision polishing supports OEM components where surface roughness, cleanability, visible appearance and functional surface performance matter.
Medical Components
Clean surfaces for stainless steel device and fluid parts.
Semiconductor Equipment
Controlled surface texture for equipment and fixture components.
Aerospace Components
Functional surfaces for hardware and precision assemblies.
Electronics Components
Visible covers, housings and clean appearance parts.
Automotive Trim Parts
Reflective and brushed surfaces for visible vehicle hardware.
Industrial Equipment
Smooth functional surfaces for machines, tools and fixtures.
Comparison
Polishing vs Plating vs Anodizing vs Powder Coating
| Finish | Main Purpose | Material Range | Surface Roughness | Thickness Change | Best Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polishing | Surface smoothing and mirror appearance | Metals including stainless steel, aluminum and brass | Directly controlled by Ra target | Material removal | Visible, cleanable and low-friction surfaces |
| Plating | Functional coating, conductivity or wear protection | Steel, copper, brass and evaluated alloys | May improve surface but not primary purpose | Coating buildup | Corrosion resistance and contact surfaces |
| Anodizing | Aluminum oxide protection | Mainly aluminum | Depends on pre-finish and anodizing type | Oxide layer buildup | Aluminum corrosion protection and appearance |
| Powder Coating | Durable color protection | Metal parts | Surface texture from coating | Thicker organic coating | Outdoor and industrial color protection |
FAQ
Polishing Services FAQ
What is the difference between mechanical polishing and electropolishing?
Mechanical polishing uses abrasive processes to smooth the surface and improve appearance. Electropolishing uses an electrochemical process, typically for stainless steel, to remove microscopic peaks, micro burrs and surface contamination.
What surface roughness Ra can you achieve?
Available Ra values depend on material, geometry, starting surface and finish level. Common targets include standard, fine and mirror finish ranges, with roughness inspection available when required.
Does polishing affect part dimensions?
Yes. Polishing removes material and can affect edges, bores and mating surfaces. Critical surfaces should be identified on drawings so we can review dimensional control before production.
Can polishing remove machining marks?
Polishing can reduce or remove visible machining marks when geometry and surface allowance permit. Deep tool marks may require grinding or pre-polishing before final finishing.
Can stainless steel parts be electropolished?
Yes. Stainless steel parts, especially 304 and 316L, are common candidates for electropolishing in medical, fluid handling, semiconductor and clean surface applications.
What is mirror polishing?
Mirror polishing produces a high-gloss reflective surface through progressive surface refinement and controlled finishing steps.
How do you measure surface roughness?
Surface roughness can be measured with stylus profilometers, optical profilometers or suitable surface inspection equipment depending on part geometry and reporting needs.
What information is needed for polishing quotation?
Please provide 3D CAD files, 2D drawings, material grade, target Ra value, visible surfaces, critical edges, masking requirements and inspection report requirements.
Need Precision Polishing Support for Your OEM Parts?
Upload your CAD files and surface finish requirements. Our engineers review material, Ra targets, critical edges and inspection needs before quotation.