Mechanical finishing & post-processing · finish comparison
As Machined vs Bead Blasting
As Machined and Bead Blasting are both mechanical finishing finishes; bead blast resists corrosion better.
As Machined
Mechanical finishing · $
As machined is the baseline CNC condition with no secondary cosmetic finishing.
Bead Blasting
Mechanical finishing · $ · instant quote
Bead blasting propels spherical media at a surface to make a uniform satin or matte finish.
When to choose which
Choose As machined
As machined is the pick when its strengths below matter more than Bead blast's.
- Lowest secondary-process cost
- Common Ra 1.6–3.2 µm (63–125 µin)
- Best preservation of machined dimensions
Choose Bead blast
Choose Bead blast when tool marks must be visually homogenized.
- Hides light tool marks on aluminum
- Produces a repeatable satin appearance
- Removes essentially no bulk material in a controlled cosmetic pass
What the numbers say
- Bead blast resists corrosion better.
- As machined is the lower-cost option ($).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | As machined | Bead blast |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 0 Minimal | 5 Minimal |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 20 Low | 65 Good |
| Lubricity | 10 Minimal | 10 Minimal |
| Cost | 0 $ | 15 $ |
Key numbers
| Property | As machined | Bead blast |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0 µm | 0 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Relative cost | Budget ($) | Budget ($) |
| Added lead time | 0 working days | 1–3 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | On request | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | As machined | Bead blast |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | Yes | Yes |
| Copper Alloy | Yes | Yes |
| DMLS / SLM | — | Yes |
| MJF | — | Yes |
| Polymer | Yes | With care |
| SLS | — | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Steel | Yes | With care |
| Titanium | Yes | Yes |
| FDM | — | With care |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| SLA | — | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
As machined vs Bead blast — frequently asked
What is the difference between As machined and Bead blast?
As Machined and Bead Blasting are both mechanical finishing finishes; bead blast resists corrosion better. As machined is the lower-cost option ($).
When should I use As machined instead of Bead blast?
Conversely: choose Bead blast when tool marks must be visually homogenized.
Is As machined or Bead blast cheaper?
As machined is the lower-cost finish ($ against $ for Bead blast) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.