How to Brushed Metal | Ultimate Guide

Brushed metals have unique appearance as it has texture on the surface, produced by abrasive brush. Architecture, construction, automotive industry utilized textured surfaces for aesthetics. Moreover, it enhances the durability of the metal by making it resistance to fingerprints and scratches or enable it to hide scratches. It is extensively used in consumer goods such as laptops, smart phones and different casing of makeup, cutlery and perfume bottles to offer exotic look. This article will provide you an ultimate guide for brushed metals in different aspects.  

What is brushed metals

In brushed metal, parallel lines or different patterns are created by abrasive brush. Unidirectional scratches are achieved in nickel, stainless steels and aluminum and known at international level. At industrial level, it is obtained by polishing the surface by 120*80 grit.

Types of Metal brushed

Different type of brushed metals are available in market depending on the movement of abrasive brush or grid. Following table will provide you description regarding each type;

Which are metals that can be brushed

Number of metals can be brushed which includes; silver, Tin, steel, aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, titanium, zinc, nickel, bronze and titanium. Brushed texture is created on mentioned metals for decorative purposes for plumbing, jewelry, structures, window frames, fencing, sculptures. Copper provide reddish brown color and brass offers warm and exotic appearance which enhance the aesthetics of the metal components after brushed finish. Texture created by abrasive brush gives vintage look to the tin. Famous brushed metal tool is given below;

Brushed finish is specified as a surface roughness？

Definitely, brush finish can be specified as a surface roughness. Surface roughness is quantified by arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) or average maximum height (Rz). In standardized way, client mention the required Ra value after metal brushed finish. Suppose for steel, 0.5 to 1.5 micrometer Ra value is required.

Metals brushed Characteristics

Brushed finish of metals is usually used for decorative purposes. Following are the characteristics of brushed metal;

The brushed finish is easily damaged

Yes, among the disadvantages of brushed metal, it is prone to damage. As the surface is textured, which result in reducing the longevity of the material by increasing the chance of scratches and damages. Moreover, brushed finish can mask imperfection but can also accelerate the deterioration process. Soft material should be used instead of abrasive material.

Brushed metal texture

Brushed finish creates change in depth or deviation in smoothness of the surface. Brushed metal has very fine lines, which can be parallel linear or diagonal lines. Also those lines can be narrow spaced or coarsely spaced. Circular finishes are also available with desired requirement.

Corrosion resistance

Corrosion resistance of the metal degraded by brushed finish as it provides roughness on the surface which ultimately increases the wettability of the surface in the presence of liquid and it doesn’t support the liquid to bead on the surface. As a result, corrosion resistance of the metal get compromised. Moreover, in outdoor applications of brushed stainless steel or aluminum, chlorine ion will remain in grooves of brushed finish and could result in severe corrosion.

Will brushed metal surface rust?

In stainless steel, after few years, it will rust. You can say that potential of metal corrosion resistance matters a lot but after brushed finish of the same metal, corrosion resistance of the metal will be reduced.

How to brushed metals

Metal brushing method is given below, you can carry it out step by step;  

1. Wear your safety gear which must include gloves, googles and helmet.
2. Adequate ventilation is must.
3. Clean up the surface to make it free from contaminations, oil and scale or rust.
4. Select the appropriate brushed type depends on the metal type and size of the component as well as desired Ra value.
5. Fix the component in the clamp and start brushing it until required directionality and texture is achieved.
6. Now use roughness measurement to ensure the quality.
7. Now surface of the brushed metal should be cleaned.

For your further understanding, please clink the link;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ED1WovTKEg&ab_channel=RAPIDDIRECT

Metal brushed Equipment and Tools

Following metal brushing tools and equipment’s are used in brushing the metals as brushing metal process is basic so are the tools used in it;

1. Abrasive brushes or pads
2. Safety gear
3. Ventilation equipment
4. Grinder or sander
5. Buffing machine
6. Measuring tool
7. Work bench
8. Sample holder

Brushed metal finish

Following are the basic brushed metal finish which can be utilized to make more designs;

How to brushed aluminum signs

Wear safety gear and clamp the aluminum sign in the clap on the workbench. Now used the required brush for creating the brushed texture. Check the texture for consistency and directionality. Desired product is obtained.

Satin vs brushed finish

Satin finish is achieved by buffing or sanding of the surface whereas brushed finish is obtained by using the abrasive brush. Texture is obtained in case of brushed finish which has directionality such as lines or circles. Consistency is observed in satin look. Also, it has more lustrous appearance than brushed finish but less shiny than polished metal.

Is it better to spray paint or brush paint metal

Spray paint will be more uniform application of the paint instead of brush paint for brushed metal coating on the surface. On brushed metal surface, spray paint could create uniform yet very thin protective layer and enhance the longevity of the component.

Black brushed metal

In this case, texture is created on the metal surface using abrasive brush and later on black color is developed. Coloration can be done by electrochemical process, anodizing, powder coating or spray coating.

Pros and Cons of Brushed Metal Sheet

In advantages, it can clean the surface and remove scale after welding. It helps in hiding or masking the imperfections and scratches. It provides mechanical interlocking between paint and surface by modifying the adhesion property of the surface. Dull and textured look of brushed metal is appealing and aesthetically soothing. Among disadvantages, reduction in corrosion resistance is a huge issue. It can hide the scratches but provides potential sites for more imperfections to grow. It improves the wettability of the surface which result in deterioration of the properties due to environmental impact [9]. Cleaning of brushed surface is not easy.

Why Choose Tuofa for Custom Metal Parts

Tuofa provides custom metal parts manufactured by using highly sophisticated techniques under the supervision of our experts. We provide you excellent customer service, short response time, expert consultancy and excellent quality of metal products along with fast delivery. This article will provide an insight to brushed metal but our experts will guide you in a best way to save your finances, time and energy. We are here to help you make right choice according to your requirements.  

For further information please click on the link;

https://www.tuofamachining.com/