Surface finishing is a broad range of
industrial processes that alter the surface of a manufactured item to achieve a certain property. Finishing processes may be employed to: improve appearance, adhesion or
wettability,
solderability,
corrosion resistance, tarnish resistance, chemical resistance,
wear resistance,
hardness, modify
electrical conductivity, remove burrs and other surface flaws, and control the surface
friction. In limited cases some of these techniques can be used to restore original dimensions to salvage or repair an item. An unfinished surface is often called
mill finish.