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Materials and Finishes, One Paragraph Each

Every case, plate and weight material we see on this niche's drawings, and every finish that gets specified against them. Each entry links to the standard it is typically bought against and the driver behind its cost.

The relative cost of each combination is what the case cost estimator uses, so the numbers agree wherever you read them on this site.

Materials

  • 6061-T6 aluminiumAMS 4027, ASTM B209. Machines cleanly and takes Type II anodising evenly. The default for a reason. Slightly more expensive than 6063 and stiffer. Typical use: Most top and bottom cases.
  • 6063-T5 aluminiumASTM B221. Softer and lower in silicon, so anodised colour comes out brighter and more consistent. Easier to mark during handling. Typical use: Cases where colour is the point.
  • 7075-T6 aluminiumAMS 4045. Stiff and strong, but the zinc content makes anodising darker and harder to match across lots. Costs more in stock and in tooling. Typical use: Premium and thin wall cases.
  • A5052 aluminiumJIS H4000. Standard plate stock in Japan and common in keyboard drawings. Good flatness, softer typing sound than 6061. Typical use: Plates.
  • Brass C360ASTM B16. Free machining and fast to cut. Patinas unless clear coated, which some buyers want and some return. Say which on the drawing. Typical use: Weights, plates, badges.
  • Copper C110ASTM B152. Heavy, soft and gummy to machine, and it darkens within weeks. Almost always needs a clear coat and careful packing. Typical use: Weights and accents.
  • 304 and 316 stainlessASTM A240. Work hardens and eats tools, so cycle time and tooling cost climb. Holds a brushed or bead blasted finish without any coating. Typical use: Weights and plates.
  • Titanium Gr 5ASTM B265. Expensive stock, slow cutting and strict on coolant and feed. Anodises by voltage into colour, which is a different process from aluminium. Typical use: Premium plates and cases.
  • POM, PC, FR4, carbon fibreSupplier stock grades. Cut fast and cheap. Carbon fibre and FR4 need dust extraction, and some shops will not run them next to cosmetic aluminium. Typical use: Plates only.

Finishes

  • Type II anodisingThe standard colour finish on keyboard cases. Colour depends on the alloy, the blast grit and the dye lot, so top and bottom halves have to run in the same batch.
  • Type III hardcoatThicker and tougher, with a narrower colour range that skews dark. Used when a case has to survive shipping and years of desk use without wear marks.
  • Blasting before colourGrit size sets the texture you feel. Anything from a fine bead blast to a coarse matte. Specify the grit, not the word "matte".
  • Electrophoretic coatingE-coating gives deep blacks and whites that anodising cannot reach, and it covers small surface defects. It adds thickness, so tight fits need checking.
  • Cerakote and powder coatSprayed finishes with a wide colour range and a thicker build. Good for bold colourways, less good on tight tolerance mating faces.
  • PVDMostly used on weights and small parts. Gold, bronze and black tones that will not patina. Adds cost and a separate vendor to the schedule.
  • Polish and brushMechanical finishes on brass, copper and stainless. Labour intensive and the most variable between operators, so agree a sample first.
  • Laser markingLogos, serial numbers and badge text. Cheap on flat faces, awkward on curved ones, and the contrast changes with the coating underneath.

Not sure which combination fits your run?

The glossary covers the vocabulary around these choices, and the plate material guide and aluminium vs brass walk through the trade-offs in full.

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