Mechanical finishing & post-processing · finish comparison
Bead Blasting vs Texture Finishing
Bead Blasting and Texture Finishing are both mechanical finishing finishes; bead blast resists corrosion better.
Bead Blasting
Mechanical finishing · $ · instant quote
Bead blasting propels spherical media at a surface to make a uniform satin or matte finish.
Texture Finishing
Mechanical finishing · $$$ · instant quote
Texture finishing creates a controlled pattern on the mold so every molded part replicates it.
When to choose which
Choose Bead blast
Choose Bead blast when a non-directional texture is applied directly to a finished metal part.
- Hides light tool marks on aluminum
- Produces a repeatable satin appearance
- Removes essentially no bulk material in a controlled cosmetic pass
Choose Mold texture
Mold texture is the pick when its strengths below matter more than Bead blast's.
- Hides sink marks and light wear
- Creates grip and anti-glare appearance
- Replicates texture on every molding cycle
What the numbers say
- Bead blast resists corrosion better.
- Bead blast is the lower-cost option ($).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Bead blast | Mold texture |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 5 Minimal | 0 Minimal |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 65 Good | 85 Excellent |
| Lubricity | 10 Minimal | 10 Minimal |
| Cost | 15 $ | 60 $$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Bead blast | Mold texture |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0 µm | 0 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Relative cost | Budget ($) | Premium ($$$) |
| Added lead time | 1–3 working days | 5–15 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Bead blast | Mold texture |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Limited |
| Brass | Yes | No |
| Copper Alloy | Yes | No |
| DMLS / SLM | Yes | — |
| MJF | Yes | — |
| Polymer | With care | Yes |
| Polyurethane | — | Yes |
| Silicone | — | Yes |
| SLS | Yes | — |
| Stainless Steel | Yes | Limited |
| Titanium | Yes | No |
| FDM | With care | — |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | No |
| SLA | With care | — |
| Steel | With care | Limited |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | Limited |
Bead blast vs Mold texture — frequently asked
What is the difference between Bead blast and Mold texture?
Bead Blasting and Texture Finishing are both mechanical finishing finishes; bead blast resists corrosion better. Bead blast is the lower-cost option ($).
When should I use Bead blast instead of Mold texture?
Choose Bead blast when a non-directional texture is applied directly to a finished metal part.
Is Bead blast or Mold texture cheaper?
Bead blast is the lower-cost finish ($ against $$$ for Mold texture) 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.