This study describes the development of manufacturing processes for a mechanically manufactured selective C/Al2O3/Al surface and its basic characterization. The composition and structure of the surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis. Spectroradiometer and FTIR-spectrometer were used for optical characterization. The manufacturing process has been developed from manual abrasive grinding followed with an acid bath to mechanically operated grinding alone. The surface consists mainly of Al2O3, With some C adsorbed on the surface during the grinding process. The microstructure of the surface consists of small grooves, organized in a heterogeneous two-dimensional matrix. The width of the grooves varies typically between 1 and 2 mum. The absorptance of a surface from the latest stage of development is 0.90 and the emittance 0.25. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.