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      Finishing processes for metals

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain and compare small-scale and industrial finishing processes.

      Key learning points

      1. Small-scale methods can be used to finish materials.
      2. Finishing materials on a larger scale require different techniques.

      Keywords

      • Finishing - a process that adds surface treatment to improve how a material looks, feels, or performs

      • Aesthetics - how the product looks including colour, texture and style or theme

      • Function - what a product should do

      • Surface preparation - getting a material ready for a surface treatment

      Common misconception

      The same tools and methods are used for both small-scale and industrial manufacturing.

      The scale of production heavily influences tool choice, speed, accuracy, and repeatability.

      Teacher tip

      Try to organise a small practical based on any of the processes mentioned in this lesson to fully embed learning.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of these materials is most likely to need a protective outer layer?

      Correct answer: fabric for a raincoat
      polypropylene chair
      glass in a window
      aluminium foil

      Q2.
      Which of these products is designed to look or feel a certain way on the outside?

      Correct answer: a cardboard gift box
      a tin of soup
      a wooden broom handle
      a pencil eraser

      Q3.
      Materials are chosen based on their physical and working .

      Correct Answer: properties, property

      Q4.
      A ready-made part used across different products to make manufacturing easier is called a .

      Correct Answer: component

      Q5.
      What is the main purpose of recycling?

      Correct answer: to save resources
      to generate waste
      to collect raw materials
      to increase pollution

      Q6.
      What does CNC stand for?

      Computerised Numeric Cutting
      Controlled Numerical Coding
      Correct answer: Computer Numerical Control
      Central Networked Control

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      A process that adds surface treatment to improve how a material looks, feels, or performs is called .

      Correct Answer: finishing, finish

      Q2.
      What does the term 'aesthetics' mean when talking about a product?

      how well the product works
      how strong the product is
      Correct answer: how the product looks and feels
      how much the product costs

      Q3.
      What is the main purpose of a finishing process?

      to change the shape of a material
      Correct answer: to improve appearance or performance
      to reduce the cost of production
      to join two materials together

      Q4.
      Degreasing, pickling, annealing, cleaning are all examples of .

      Correct Answer: Surface preparation

      Q5.
      Match the metal finish to the description.

      Correct Answer:galvanising,coating metal with zinc to prevent rust

      coating metal with zinc to prevent rust

      Correct Answer:anodising,thickening aluminium’s oxide layer for protection and colour

      thickening aluminium’s oxide layer for protection and colour

      Correct Answer:electroplating,using electricity to deposit a thin metal layer on another

      using electricity to deposit a thin metal layer on another

      Correct Answer:brushing,rubbing metal with an abrasive to create a textured finish

      rubbing metal with an abrasive to create a textured finish

      Correct Answer:enamelling,melts a layer of powdered glass

      melts a layer of powdered glass

      Correct Answer:embossing,creates raised or recessed texture

      creates raised or recessed texture

      Q6.
      If a product has undergone heat treatment such as annealing or enamelling, finishing is required to remove effects of heat. Put the steps in order:

      1 - acidic pickle to remove oxide layers
      2 - wire brush for difficult to reach areas
      3 - tumbler for polishing
      4 - jewellers wax for a shine

      To help you plan your 11 design and technology lesson on: Finishing processes for metals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...