A bright, highly reflective surface can be achieved in a vibratory process commonly referred to as ball burnishing. This specialized process combines the weight and brightness of steel media with compounds designed to produce a specific color and luster in the workpiece(s). Its major function is to make parts look bright or “burnished”.
(Results shown are from using our Chemtrol 236 burnishing compound)
In ball burnishing heavy, dense steel media impacts the workpiece(s) peening over the peaks of the surface profile creating a larger area in one plane to reflect light. This is perceived visually as shine. There is no abrasive in the steel media so rough edges, surfaces, and burrs are simply rolled or pounded over. An added benefit to ball burnishing is that the weight of the media and process work hardens the surface thereby strengthening the part.
Burnishing Application:
Chemtrol’s production-tested burnishing compounds have been developed using high quality raw materials to provide the highest quality results at minimum concentrations.
Achieving a high degree of reflectivity, brightness, depth, and clarity of finish is sometimes referred to as producing a “mirror” finish.
The quality of an image reflected in the surface of a ball burnished part doesn’t match the sharpness and color of an image reflected by an actual mirror, but it does produce a highly reflective part.
So, while vibratory finishing doesn’t produce a surface that reflects a distortion-free image it can produce bright, shiny, attractive parts with a surface that feels very smooth to the touch. Learn more at: https://www.chemtrolcompounds.com/vibratory-burnishing-compounds
