Stainless Steel Finishes

Apart from the grade and forms of steel used in a project, the finish is most likely to impact both visual appearance and performance.

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In most cases, finish is something you&#;ll choose at the time of ordering. However, you can also adjust or create a finish yourself with the right equipment and skilled application.

Not sure what finishes are available or how they impact the various facets of stainless steel, such as corrosion resistance or cleanliness? This guide will get you up to speed&#;

13 Finishes for a Range of Uses

While there are variations of each finish that might be available from a stainless steel supplier or applied after purchasing, most popular finishes fall into one of 13 types.

The first 5 finishes (Numbers 0 through 2BA) are referred to as mill finishes. These are often the finishes in which steel is produced. They may be used as-is or refined further through additional steps depending on the desired appearance.

Finishes number 3 to 8 apply an increasingly smooth texture to the surface of the steel, with brushed and coarse having a texture that is both visible and noticeable to the touch.

The final two finishes (Numbers 9 and 10) refer more to the processes used than the final appearance. Results range from rough to reflective and can even include colour variations and other interesting features designed to increase visual appeal or provide a particular appearance.

Uses for Various Finishes

While each finish had a unique appearance, it also impacts the corrosion resistance and hygienic nature of the steel.

Smoother steels are easier to clean and stand up to chlorides and other corrosion sources well.

Rougher steels are more affordable, but won&#;t withstand exposure to corrosion sources as well and are tougher to clean.

This is important if you&#;re considering stainless steel for food preparation or medical environments.

Most food-grade steels start with a minimum finish of 4&#;though many will use a higher finish on accents or for appliances.

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Other common uses by finish number include:

As you can see, by adjusting the finish, you can adapt stainless steel to meet a variety of requirements.

Better still, most finishes are applicable to nearly any grade of steel, allowing you to pair the best steel for your uses with the ideal finish to amplify its traits further.

Applying a Finish to Stainless Steel

In most cases, applying a finish is something that is done either by the supplier or through an experienced service provider.

This is particularly true for finishes 9 and 10 as they require specialized equipment, chemistry, and knowledge to achieve the desired results.

However, the basics of finishing steel are similar across most other types. All finishes start by applying an abrasive to the surface of the steel.

In most cases, you will start with a higher grit abrasive to set the overall finish and then use additional cycles at decreasing grits to hone the finish.

Abrasives can take a variety of forms, including:

• Aluminum oxide powders
• Zirconium powders
• Ceramic powders
• Fleece

Tools are equally varied, including:

• Wraparound pipe sanders
• Finger belt sanders
• Pipe and linear finishers
• Flap wheels
• Brushes
• Buffers

Each abrasive and tool brings its own set of considerations and ideal uses.

While smaller tools are great for tight corners or detailed work, they won&#;t work for large surfaces. Pipe sanders, while great for cylindrical surfaces, won&#;t achieve the desired result on flat surfaces.

There may also be chemicals involved to both impact change on the finish itself or lubricate surfaces throughout the finishing process.

While exact requirements, tools, and approaches will vary based on your intended outcome and usages, there are a few rules universal to finishing:

1. Finish pipes and other cylindrical pieces in a circumferential alignment around the body of the pipe, not along the length of the pipe.
2. Finish flat parts and surfaces in the same direction on all sides for a seamless appearance
3. Start with a higher grit and reduce grit through each pass of the finishing process until you reach your intended result
4. Work in small sections, blending each section together as you. In most cases, attempting to finish the entire surface of a part will create an uneven finish and subpar results.
5. Be sure to check any requirements regarding chemicals if you plan to use the steel in sensitive environments&#;such as food service or medical facilities.

 Disclaimer: This guide is intended as an overview of stainless steel finishing. Before attempting to apply finishing to stainless steel yourself, consult any safety guidelines regarding both the equipment and chemistry involved to minimize risk to personnel, equipment, and materials.

 While finishing stainless steel comes with increased time requirements and cost, its ability to both improve the visual appeal of stainless steel and further enhance its corrosion resistance make it a powerful tool for getting the most out of your stainless steel investment. If you&#;d like more information on finishing processes, pre-finished stainless steel products, or proper finishes for your intended application, the experts at Unified Alloys are ready to assist you. With more than 40 years of experience serving some of North America&#;s largest industries, we have the expertise needed to help you find the ideal solution for your needs.

Type 304/304L stainless steel, or 18-8 as it is sometimes called, combines remarkable resistance to many corrosive environments with mechanical properties similar to most structural steels. It is non-magnetic in the annealed condition and not hardenable by heat treatment. Its strength can be improved by cold work. Type 304/304L or the low Carbon version (.03 max) of 304/304L should be used when welding is required.

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