Types of Metal Finishes 

There are numerous varieties of metal finishes, each employing distinct metal finishing methods. The most commonly encountered types can be categorized into four primary groups: 

1.      Coating Finishes: Coating involves the addition or creation of a new substance to form a protective layer over the metal fastener. Typical coatings include:

· Conversion Coating (which encompasses phosphate, black oxide, and chromate)

· Powder Coating

· Dip-Spin Coating

· Paint

· Hot-Dipped Galvanized

· Mechanical Zinc Plating

2. Plating Finishes: The technique of plating involves fusing a different metal to the surface of the base metal. The two most typical procedures are: 

· Electroplating

· Electroless Plating

3. Oxidizing Finishes: Finishes that produce an oxide layer to shield the base material. Three types of oxidizing finishes are frequently used: 

· Anodizing

· Passivation

· Electropolishing

4. Mechanical Finishing: The procedure mechanically roughens a metal fastener's surface, usually in advance of a secondary metal finish. Among them are: 

· Brushing Metal

· Buff Polishing

· Metal Grinding 

· Vibratory Finishing