The terms “surface finishing” and “surface coating” are often used in similar contexts, but describe different processes and results in the field of material processing. They can be used as synonyms in some cases, but there are important differences that need to be taken into account:
Surface finishing
Surface finishing refers to a wide range of processes aimed at improving or protecting the surface of a material. This includes not only the application of coatings, but also physical, chemical or mechanical processes such as polishing, etching, hardening, anodizing or electroplating.
The aim of surface finishing is to improve the properties of a surface, which may include corrosion resistance, wear resistance, aesthetics or other specific functions.
Refinement processes can change the basic properties of the material to make it more suitable for its application.
Surface coating
Surface coating refers more specifically to the application of a layer or film to the surface of a material. This can be done by various methods such as spraying, dipping or chemical vapor deposition and includes materials such as paints, varnishes, plastics or metals.
The primary aim of surface coating is to provide protection against environmental influences, such as corrosion, oxidation, abrasion or chemical attack, as well as to improve the appearance of the object.
Coatings add a separable layer to the base material without changing its basic structure.