Buffing and polishing services perform smoothing operations that change a metal's surface appearance. These operations can be for aesthetic and/or functional purposes. In applications with functional requirements such a mirrors, lens or polished shafts; a characteristic surface roughness or specific surface finish parameters (roughness average, bearing area ratio, etc.) are typically specified. For decorative applications, specification of a mill finish or appearance (satin, brushed, etc.) might be sufficient.
Buffing and polishing services perform operations that use a buff, buffing pad or felt bob loaded with polishing or buffing compound to refine the surface. Polishing can includes a variety of processes such as electropolishing, electrolytic machining or electrochemical machining (ECM) lapping, honing, fine grinding or superfinishing. In abrasive polishing processes, a very fine fixed, slurry or loose abrasive particles are utilized. Often a series of progressively finer abrasives are required to remove scratches and generate the required polished surface finish. Polishing slurries or lapping compounds consist of fine abrasive particles dispersed in a carriers liquid or media. Fixed polishing abrasives can include bonded (honing or polishing stones), coated abrasive belts or discs, lapping films and nonwoven products.
Buffing and polishing services perform processes that are part of the general surface finishing or surface refinement area. Surface finishing and surface treatment services pretreat or finish the surfaces of manufactured components to meet roughness or surface condition requirements. Common processes include anodizing, blasting, buffing, polishing, electropolishing, chemical finishing, deburring, deflashing, honing, mass finishing, passivation, pickling, sanding, and grinding. Some buffing and polishing services process new components or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. Others restore damaged surfaces or provide services at customer sites or in the field. Finishing and surface treatment services are located across the United States and around the world. Many meet International Standards Organization (ISO) requirements or automotive, aerospace, military, or OEM specifications.
Buffing and polishing services use a variety of systems, equipment, and techniques for finishing and surface treatment. Anodizing uses electrolytic oxidation to improve the corrosion resistance of aluminum and aluminum-based alloys. Blasting uses a power sprayer or tumble chamber to remove all of a metal's visible rust, mill scale, paint and contaminants. Buffing, polishing and other belting processes are smoothing operations that change a metal's surface appearance. Chemical finishing and conversion processes apply black oxide or phosphate coatings to improve surface adhesion. Deburring or radiusing rounds sharp edges or corners. Deflashing removes lines from forging, casting or molding operations. Electropolishing uses a combination of rectified current and a blended chemical electrolyte bath to remove flaws from the surface of a metal part. Honing and superfinishing are precision finishing process that generate very flat, smooth or low Ra surface finishes. Mass finishing processes are used for bulk processing. Oxygen cleaning removes combustible oils, greases or other materials that could cause an accidental fire or explosion when in contact with oxygen. Passivation removes "free iron" contamination left behind on the surface of stainless steel during machining and fabricating. Many finishing and surface treatment services perform processes that use etchants, acids, or acid pickles to chemically remove a layer of surface material or sharp edges. Sanding and grinding processes are used for rough to fine surface finishing.
Buffing and polishing services vary in terms of material processing capabilities and certification or quality requirements. Some companies process parts made from aluminum, copper, nickel, iron, cast iron, steel, stainless steel, titanium and precious metals. Others process ceramics, metallized ceramics, composites, carbides, glass, plastics and polymers. Certification and quality requirements for finishing and surface treatment services include ISO 9001:2000, ISO TS16949, AS 9100, and QS 9000. AS 9100 is a set of quality guidelines and requirements published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in cooperation with major aerospace manufacturers. QS 9000 is a quality standard for suppliers of DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Corporation. Companies that meet U.S. military specifications (MIL-SPEC) and comply with OEM-specific requirements also provide finishing and treatment services.
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