Stainless Steel Finishes for Specific Purposes

Stainless steel is the material of choice for a growing number of industrial applications today. The industries that demand extensive use of stainless steel include the manufacturing units of commercial and domestic appliances, aircraft industries, medical production facilities, food services and more.

One of the main reasons for the popularity of stainless steel includes its strength, resistance to corrosion, flexibility, and durability. Stainless steel finishes come in different forms. Usually, stainless steel gets its usual finish to serve specific purposes.

Here are some of the most common finishes:

No.1 Finish

This finish is produced by rolling the metal that was previously heated. This procedure requires little finishing. Common stainless steel products that are finished using this procedure include air heaters, different furnace parts, gas turbines, annealing boxes and boiler baffles.

No. 2B Finish

This stainless steel finish is produced by the cold-rolled stainless steel. The procedure gives the stainless steel a smoother and less pitted surface. It makes the metal look like a cloudy mirror. Stainless steel that is used for the production of chemical plant equipment, pharmaceutical equipment, common bakeware, paper mill equipment, plumbing fixtures and flatware, to name a few, utilise the 2B finish.
It is a matte finish that creates a dull appearance. For this reason, it is not an ideal option for aesthetic end applications. It is the least visually appealing finishing option amongst all stainless steel finishes available. This finish is a good option in applications where aesthetic is not important.

No. 4 Finish

This finish is known as a brushed finish that varies from supplier to supplier, as well as from batch to batch. The difference is made from the different manufacturing conditions, like the wearing of the abrasive belts. However, a brushed finish on the stainless steel creates a distinctive look and pattern.
The finish provides a strong aesthetic appeal to the metal surface without making it too reflective. The drawback is that the finish causes a reduced level of corrosion resistance because of the grooves of the finish that are likely to rust.
Common applications of the finish include areas like home appliances, jewellery and watches, air conditioners, architecture, water heaters and automotive designs.

No. 8 Finish

This finish is known as the mirror finish, owing to its reflective nature. The polishing procedure in this finish improves the appearance, as well as the consistency of the metal. For this reason, the surface is easy to clean. The after-effects of the welding and surface damage are hidden by this finish.
No. 8 finish is produced by treating the surface mechanically. A special rolling procedure is often used as an alternate option to the mechanical abrasion. The areas of applications of this finish include ornamental trimmings, mirrors, cleanrooms, wall panels and reflectors.
Apart from the above-mentioned stainless steel finishes, there are several others that are applied on sheets and plates to meet the specific requirements of various different industries.