Mechanical finishing & post-processing · finish comparison
Brushed Finish vs Polishing
Brushed Finish and Polishing are both mechanical finishing finishes; polished resists corrosion better.
Brushed Finish
Mechanical finishing · $$ · instant quote
Brushing creates a directional grain with abrasive belts, wheels, or pads.
Polishing
Mechanical finishing · $$$ · instant quote
Mechanical polishing progressively removes surface peaks and scratches to produce a smooth glossy surface.
When to choose which
Choose Brushed
Choose Brushed when a directional satin grain is acceptable.
- Creates intentional directional grain
- Hides minor scratches along the grain
- Common 180–320 grit process window
Choose Polished
Choose Polished when a non-directional glossy surface is required.
- Reduces Ra to about 0.1–0.8 µm (4–32 µin)
- Improves cleanability
- Creates a glossy cosmetic surface
What the numbers say
- Polished resists corrosion better.
- Brushed is the lower-cost option ($$).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Brushed | Polished |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 5 Minimal | 8 Minimal |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 75 Very good | 82 Very good |
| Lubricity | 10 Minimal | 20 Low |
| Cost | 25 $$ | 55 $$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Brushed | Polished |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0 µm | 0 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Relative cost | Standard ($$) | Premium ($$$) |
| Added lead time | 1–4 working days | 2–7 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Brushed | Polished |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | Yes | Yes |
| Copper Alloy | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Steel | With care | Yes |
| Titanium | Yes | With care |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| Polymer | Limited | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
Brushed vs Polished — frequently asked
What is the difference between Brushed and Polished?
Brushed Finish and Polishing are both mechanical finishing finishes; polished resists corrosion better. Brushed is the lower-cost option ($$).
When should I use Brushed instead of Polished?
Choose Brushed when a directional satin grain is acceptable. Conversely: choose Polished when a non-directional glossy surface is required.
Is Brushed or Polished cheaper?
Brushed is the lower-cost finish ($$ against $$$ for Polished) 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.