Brushing Surface Finish 101: All You Need To Know
Manufacturing components for applications is a major process that plays a vital role in the performance of certain products. However, as much as the process of manufacturing plays a significant role, the process of surface finishing cannot be neglected.
There are multiple methods of surface finishing that help to improve the aesthetics of the parts, and among them, brushing is also a common one. If you want to know more about brushing surface finish, the guide below has it all, so let's read below.
What is Brushing Finish?
A brushing surface finish is a method of surface finish that is opted for on metal surfaces. The process works with the help of brushes, which are applied either using a machine or manually, and it helps to create uniform and fine lines on metal parts.
The process of brushing finishing improves the aesthetic look of the metal parts and offers a satin-like finish. Brushing finish even reduces the appearance of scratches and fingerprints.
Key Advantages of Brushing Surface Finishes
Brushing surface finish offers multiple benefits to the metal components, and some of these are discussed below:
- Brushing offers a uniform and deep texture to the metal surface. It is suitable for a wide range of materials and designs to improve the appearance of the parts.
- The durability of the parts is also enhanced by the brushing finish. It gives a texture that covers the scratches of the product and offers protection to the surface in the form of a layer.
- The brushed surface can be cleaned very easily as they are easy to maintain and does not show any fingerprints; also, when maintained regularly, the life of the parts increases.
- Brushing is applied with different patterns and at different intensities to offer customization. It is also highly compatible with a wide range of metals, offering flexibility.
Step-by-Step Process of Brushing Metal
The process of brushing metal is a precise one that helps to achieve the desired finish on the parts. The step-by-step process of brushing metal has the following stages:
Pre-Brushing Step
The first stage of finishing is to clean the surface of the metal that is to be finished. Once the part is cleaned, sand the metal surface using sandpaper with a fine grit, and remove scratches from the surface.
Once the surface of the metal is clean and sanded, the brush moves in a circular motion around the metal surface. It is an abrasive brush that removes all the imperfections from the surface. The pattern of unidirectional lines is created, and it is also called the process of mechanical polishing.
Post-Brushing Step
Once the brushing has been done on the metal part, the metal surface is rinsed. The rinsing is carried out using chemicals like solvents, acids, and alkalis. The combination of polishes and products helps clean metal once the brushing has been done. The surface is also sometimes cleaned through electrochemical processes.
Brushing itself is a very suitable method for finishing, but it is not always the final one. Sometimes, further processes like plating, painting, and polishing may be required.
Common Types of Brushing
There are two different types of brushing, and these are discussed below.
Linear Brushed Finish
A linear brushed finish is the type of finishing that has a straight line pattern running in one direction. It is suitable for focusing on the part’s sleekness and is used in designs that need a sophisticated and simple look. It is suitable for metal parts used in kitchen appliances, architectural hardware, and automobile trims.
Circular Brushed Finish
Circular brush finish consists of using a brush moving in circular directions. The pattern of circles creates a decorative appearance and is suitable for luxury electronics, decorative panels, and watch faces.
2 Major Brushes and Their Uses
The process of brush finishing has two brushes; these two types are discussed below with their uses.
Steel Wire Brushes
Steel wire brushes are suitable for steel-based components; however, they can also be used for other materials. These brushes are meant to finish the part and don't impact its dimensions. Steel brush has wire tips that help to brush the metal, and these tips are made using steel, offering versatile styles. The nature of the component determines the type of steel wire.
The steel wire tips are of such a nature that the debris cannot clog them up, and they offer enhanced durability.
Power Brushes
Power brushes are made using wires that could be ferrous and non-ferrous, as well as fibers and carbon steel. These brushes are classified based on the amount of pressure required for the process.
The surface of the metal, the length of the trim, and the filament filling determine the selection of the power brush. The parameters of power brushing can be adjusted based on the required finish.
The brush works slowly and produces a fine finish; the length of trimming decreases, and the density of filling increases. However, if the brush works fast, the finish is thicker, the trim length is increased, and the filling density is decreased. These brushes even help remove rust from the metal parts.
What Material Can Be Brushed?
There are different materials that can be brushed, falling under the category of metal, and these are discussed below.
Aluminum
Aluminum is lightweight and corrosion resistant, which makes it suitable for applications in aerospace and automobiles, as the rising is suitable for its soft texture.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel doesn't tarnish and is even highly durable. It creates a sophisticated look and is mostly for applications like medical tools and kitchen appliances.
Brass
Bronze has a unique appearance with its color and is a malleable material. When subjected to a brushing finish, the aesthetic appeal increases, and it becomes suitable for interior architectural elements.
Copper
Coppers offer high ductility and electrical conductivity; hence, by brushing finish, they can be used in decorative items and electronics.
Factors that Affect Brushing Quality
The brushing quality is affected by certain factors, and some of these are given below.
Type and Quality of Brush
The right finishing brush type is important for achieving optimal results. The type of brush selected depends on the material that is to be brushed. Every material has different requirements, and there are certain brushes that are suitable for certain metals.
You can consider the example of stainless steel, which is finished with a steel brush. The quality of the brush also plays a vital role in ensuring its durability.
Speed of Wheel
The process of brushing uses abrasive brushes, which work like wheels. The speed of these wheels influences the overall process. Hence, the high speeds do give an excellent finish, but sometimes end up brushing the metal surface.
The filaments of the brush also wear out quickly when the speed is high. It is important to ensure that the wheel speed is managed when it comes to brush finishing.
Brushing Direction
The brushed finish needs lines in the unidirectional form, which are parallel to the circular movement of the brush. However, to obtain the best results these days, the reverse direction of brushing is also opted for. It helps to keep the brush tips durable in the long run. The issue of moving in one direction makes the tips dull; by reversing the direction, the tips are preserved.
Operator Skills
The skills of the operator play a vital role in the brushed finish. The operators must have access to the best tools and sufficient training to use them. An unskilled operator will end up producing low-quality results.
Tips for Brushing Finish
The brushing finish can end up offering the finest results by following certain tips, which are as follows:
- Select the right type of abrasive to achieve a seamless finish and uniform style.
- The brush should be moved in the direction of the grain of the material to attain the finest finish.
- When brushing the part, ensure to maintain even pressure so that uneven strokes are not created.
- Always clean the surface of the part before applying a brushing finish.
- Use scrap material beforehand so that you can check if the desired effect is achieved or not.
Applications of Brushing Finish
Some of the applications of brushing finish are discussed below.
Deburring: The brushing finish ends up removing the burrs on the metal parts.
Smoothing Edges: The edges of the brushing can be refined, and their sharpness can be eliminated by brushing finish.
Cleaning: A brushing finish is even used for cleaning metals and removing all sorts of contaminants from the surface of the part.
Roughening: Brushing finishes creates soreness on the metal parts and makes them easy to clean.
Brushing vs. Other Finishes
When it comes to comparing the process of brushing with other finishes, an insight into it is given below.
Brushed vs. Mirrored Finish
The mirrored metal finish offers a reflective appearance on the metal. It gives a mirror-like look and is used widely in household and construction applications. The mirror finish is not considered in such an application where reflection has no margin.
Brushed vs. Bead Blasted Finish
Bead blasting consists of using beads made of glass or ceramic to be blasted with pressure on the surface of the parts. It creates a less reflective appearance and has a finish that is matte and uniform. It is used in architectural applications.
Brushed vs. Satin Finish
Brushed and satin finishes are identical in some or the other way. They both produce a reflection, but not much. However, compared to a brushed finish, the satin finish offers a little gloss and does not have unidirectional lines.
Also, the brushed finish is attained through the wire brush, but for the satin finish, abrasive paper is used. Satin finish resists rust more than the brushed finish and hence is used in kitchen sinks or applications subjected to moisture and water.
Conclusion: High-Quality Finishing Services at DEK
Metal parts do not just need to have the required size and shape upon manufacturing; their finishing also plays a vital role. When it comes to attaining finishing services like brushing finish for your metal parts, we at DEK can offer you. The quality and affordability of our finishing service are commendable. So, contact us today.
