Finishing Options of Stianless Steel

There are a number of stainless steel finishing options that alter more than just the appearance of the material. Whatever the intended use, choosing the right finish option is essential.

Here we will introduce you three more common stainless steel finishing options.

1.No. 2B – Matte finish

No. 2B is the mill finish, meaning it has not been processed further. Matte finishes are dull in appearance and are not ideal for aesthetic end uses. However, they’re a good choice where appearance is not important or when further finishing is intended. No. 2B Matte finishes are the least expensive of the stainless steel finishing options.

The finish is produced by ‘cold rolling’ stainless steel through special rolls or dies. The cold rolling produces a smoother, less pitted surface. Next it is softened and de-scaled in acid solution. The steel is given a final pass on polished rolls to further enhance its smoothness.

Common applications include: Chemical plant equipment, Pharmaceutical equipment, Paper mill equipment, Laundry and dry cleaning, Refrigeration, Sewage equipment

2.No. 4 – Brushed finish

The No. 4 Brushed finish can vary with different suppliers and even from batch to batch from the same supplier. The variations arise from differing manufacturing conditions, such as wearing of the abrasive belts used in these finishes. Some level of variation should be expected when ordering No. 4 Brushed finish. It can be helpful to request a sample of a few square inches to ensure the finish achieves the desired effect.

Brushing the stainless steel produces a distinctive look with a muted luster and a pattern of fine parallel lines. It has strong decorative appeal without being too reflective, as too much reflectiveness can be undesirable. For example, overly reflective stainless steel accents on a building could be blinding in bright sunlight. The drawbacks to this finish include reduced corrosion resistance, because the grooves of the finish are susceptible to rust.

The finish is created by sanding the stainless steel in one direction with a 120-180 grit belt, followed by softening with a 80-120 grit medium non-woven belt.

Common applications include: Jewelry and watches, Home appliances, Air conditioners, Water heaters, Architecture, Automotive design, Gateway Arch

3.No.8 – Mirror finish

Mirror finishes are highly reflective and created by polishing the stainless steel. The polishing process enhances appearance and consistency, making cleaning easier. It also masks the after-effects of welding and hides surface damage.

No. 8 Mirror finish is created by mechanically treating the surface with a series of progressively finer abrasives. Alternatively a special rolling procedure is used which can simulate the appearance of mechanical abrasion. For this stage, it is essential to remove deep scratches as any surface defects will be very noticeable on the finished product. The final process involves buffing the surface for 5-10 minutes to create a mirror-like, highly reflective finish.

A benefit of No. 8 Mirror finishing is that it improves corrosion resistance. The polishing eradicates crevices where corrosive particles can lodge themselves.

Common applications include: Mirrors, Ornamental trim, Clean rooms, Column covers, Wall panels, Reflectors, Stainless steel Supermarkets

HCADTO is the world’s largest small-quantity metal supplier with over 10 over office across the China, Indonesia, Philippines, Egypt and Thailand ect. We are metal experts and have been providing quality customer service and products since 1985.

Our hot rolled and cold rolled steel is available in a wide range of shapes including: bars, tubes, sheets and plates. We can cut metal to your exact specifications.