Sluttpolering

Sluttpolering, literally “final polishing,” is a surface finishing process used in manufacturing to produce a smooth, reflective, and often highly polished surface on a workpiece. The term is most common in Danish and Norwegian industrial contexts but is equivalent to polishing techniques used worldwide for metal, plastic, glass, and ceramics.

The process usually follows machining, grinding, or abrasive blasting. After debris and residual abrasive material are removed, the part is cleaned and a polishing compound—such as silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, diamond paste, or cerium oxide—is applied. Polishing may be performed by hand, by manual buffing equipment, or by automated machines such as orbital or random‑orbit polishers, magnetic polishers, or tumblers. Process parameters—speed, pressure, time, and compound grit size—are carefully controlled to achieve the desired surface roughness, often specified in micrometres or a Ra value.

Applications of sluttpolering span many sectors. In automotive manufacturing it finish paints and metal panels; in aerospace it reduces drag and improves fatigue resistance; in medical device production it ensures biocompatible, smooth surfaces; and in consumer goods it provides aesthetic appeal and tactile comfort.

Benefits of the final polishing step include improved visual appearance, reduced friction coefficient, enhanced corrosion resistance, and a smoother interface for subsequent bonding or coating operations. It is also a necessary step for quality control, allowing measurement of surface finish according to standards such as ISO 20822 or ISO 2676.

Risks associated with sluttpolering are mainly related to airborne particles, noise from polishing machines, and mechanical hazards from rotating tools; therefore, appropriate personal protective equipment and ventilation systems are typically employed in production facilities.