Aerospace Metal Finishing Applications

Aerospace:  Metal finishing in the aerospace industry is dominated by two very different applications:  Jet Engine Turbine Blades and Airframe Skin Finishing.  The process for Polishing Jet Engine Turbine Blades is unique in that it has no appearance or aesthetic purpose but it is purely functional.  After the turbine blades are cast they go though a final shaping process with abrasives that also reduces stress risers to increase the structural integrity of the turbine blades.  This enables the turbine blades to better withstand the forces they may be subjected to in extreme conditions.

Buffing the Airframe skin is often required for both aesthetics and function.  The aluminum skin is often made in different facilities then brought to the assembly location must have a common reflective finish.  Otherwise, the final airplane can look like a patchwork of dissimilar materials.  In addition to a need for a uniform appearance, a buffed surface can save hundreds of pounds of weight over a painted surface.  With the cost of fuel at all time highs any weight savings will translate easily into significant cost savings over the life of the airplane..