3D Cosmetic standards
Published on Wednesday, 09. October 2013
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Content Guide：3D printing surface finishing standards are primarily defined by ISO/ASTM 52900, covering roughness, gloss, tolerance grades, and post-processing requirements such as support removal, sanding, and coating.
3D Printing Surface Finishing Standards (Client Version · 2025 Update)
Match surface finishing techniques to materials and end-use requirements:
Technology | Initial Roughness (Ra) | Recommended Process | Post-Process Roughness (Ra) | International Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FDM Plastics | 10-25 μm | Sanding + Blasting + Coating | 1.5-5 μm | ISO 1302 |
SLA/DLP Resins | 2-8 μm | Chemical Polishing + UV Curing | 0.5-1.2 μm | ASTM D7866 |
SLS Nylon | 12-20 μm | Vibratory Polishing + Resin Infusion | 3-8 μm | ISO 21920-2 |
Metal Printing | 8-15 μm | CNC machining + ElectroPolishing | 0.4-1.6 μm | ASME B46.1 |
Blasting:
Materials: Plastics, Metals
Effect: Uniform matte finish, reduces Ra by 30-70%
Cost: CNY 0.5-2/cm²
Chemical Polishing:
Materials: Resins, Titanium Alloys
Effect: Mirror-like finish (Ra ≤0.8 μm), may lose 0.05-0.2mm in dimensions
Compliance: Requires ISO 14001 waste treatment certification
Resin Infusion:
Materials: Porous SLS Nylon
Effect: Seals pores, increases hardness by 20%, enhances water resistance
Electropolishing (Metal Only):
Dimensional Impact: ±0.02 mm
Time: 30-120 minutes/batch
Avoid Untreatable Features:
Groove/Internal cavity width ≥3mm (for tool access)
Minimum text embossing height ≥0.3mm (prevents blurring after polishing)
Balance Function & Aesthetics:
Friction Parts: Maintain Ra 6-10 μm for lubrication (per ISO 4288)
Transparent Parts: Prioritize Nano-Coating (light transmittance ≥92%)
Laser Nanopolishing: Non-contact metal surface refinement, achieves Ra 0.05 μm in 5 seconds/cm² (Cost: CNY 8-15/cm²).
Biodegradable Coating: Eco-friendly PLA surface finish (Ra 1.2 μm), compliant with EU REACH 2025.
Grade | Ra Range (μm) | Applications |
|---|---|---|
Industrial | ≤3.2 | Mechanical components, seals |
Consumer | ≤6.3 | Casings, decorative parts |
Prototyping | ≤12.5 | Internal structural testing |
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