Cross-group finish comparison
Bead Blasting vs Titanium Color Anodizing
Bead Blasting (mechanical finishing) and Titanium Color Anodizing (anodizing & conversion coatings) solve the same problem by different routes; titanium anodize 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.
Titanium Color Anodizing
Anodizing & conversion coatings · $$
Titanium color anodizing grows a transparent oxide whose interference color identifies parts or provides a decorative finish without dyes.
When to choose which
Choose Bead blast
Choose Bead blast when a uniform matte titanium look without colour is enough.
- Hides light tool marks on aluminum
- Produces a repeatable satin appearance
- Removes essentially no bulk material in a controlled cosmetic pass
Choose Titanium anodize
Titanium anodize is the pick when its strengths below matter more than Bead blast's.
- Produces color with only about 0.03–0.20 µm oxide
- Adds negligible dimensional change
- No dye can fade or leach from the oxide
What the numbers say
- Titanium anodize resists corrosion better.
- Bead blast is the lower-cost option ($).
- Bead blast is the thinner coating (0 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
- Bead blast is unchanged; Titanium anodize is insulating.
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Bead blast | Titanium anodize |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 5 Minimal | 25 Low |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 65 Good | 92 Excellent |
| Lubricity | 10 Minimal | 15 Low |
| Cost | 15 $ | 38 $$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Bead blast | Titanium anodize |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0 µm | 0.03–0.2 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Insulating |
| Colours | — | gold, purple, blue, green, bronze, custom voltage color |
| Relative cost | Budget ($) | Standard ($$) |
| Added lead time | 1–3 working days | 3–7 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | On request |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Bead blast | Titanium anodize |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | No |
| Brass | Yes | No |
| Copper Alloy | Yes | No |
| DMLS / SLM | Yes | Yes |
| MJF | Yes | No |
| SLS | Yes | No |
| Stainless Steel | Yes | No |
| Titanium | Yes | Yes |
| FDM | With care | No |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | No |
| Polymer | With care | No |
| SLA | With care | No |
| Steel | With care | No |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | No |
Specifications and drawing call-outs
Bead blast
No governing public specification — called out by name and thickness.
BEAD BLAST ALL OVER, 120 MESH GLASS BEAD, Ra 1.6 µm MAX, MASK DATUM A AND ALL THREADED HOLES
Titanium anodize
- AMS 2488 — Anodic Treatment, Titanium and Titanium Alloys, Solution pH 13 or Higher
ANODIZE TITANIUM FOR COLOR, BLUE, MATCH APPROVED LIMIT SAMPLE FD-TI-BL-01; MASK THREADS AND ELECTRICAL CONTACTS
Bead blast vs Titanium anodize — frequently asked
What is the difference between Bead blast and Titanium anodize?
Bead Blasting (mechanical finishing) and Titanium Color Anodizing (anodizing & conversion coatings) solve the same problem by different routes; titanium anodize resists corrosion better. Bead blast is the lower-cost option ($). Bead blast is the thinner coating (0 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
When should I use Bead blast instead of Titanium anodize?
Choose Bead blast when a uniform matte titanium look without colour is enough.
Is Bead blast or Titanium anodize cheaper?
Bead blast is the lower-cost finish ($ against $$ for Titanium anodize) 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.