Materials & Finishing: Wallet Engineering Hub

6061 is the default: it machines well, anodizes evenly and costs less. 7075 is stronger and harder, which suits thin frames and high-load clips, but it costs more and anodizing is less colour-consistent. For most wallet programs 6061-T6 is the right choice; specify 7075 only where strength or weight justifies the premium.

Anodizing grows an oxide layer into the aluminium, so it cannot chip off, but it can fade under UV and shows scratches as light marks on dark colours. PVD is a thin deposited coating that is harder and more colour-stable, and it works on stainless and titanium too. PVD costs more per part; anodizing is the volume choice.

Standard tests are a pencil hardness or abrasion test, a salt-spray test for corrosion, and a tape-pull or cross-hatch adhesion test for coatings. For consumer wear, a rub test with artificial sweat and a tumble test with keys are more realistic. Ask for the test method and acceptance criteria, not just a pass or fail line.

Bead-blasted surfaces scatter light, which hides scratches but holds skin oil in the texture. A finer blast, a clear nano-coating or a brushed direction reduces the effect. Polished surfaces show fingerprints differently — they smear rather than hold — but they scratch more visibly.

Yes. Aluminium and stainless are stocked in common grades and often need no new tooling. Titanium and carbon fiber usually require a minimum sheet or billet purchase and a longer lead time, which raises the effective MOQ. If you are testing a premium tier, start with a shared material buy across colours.