Stainless Steel Finishes
Stainless steel is found just about everywhere in today's world. Its durable, germ resistant and easily cut or marked to fit your specific needs. Stainless steel does not readily corrode, rust or stain as ordinary steel does, making it ideal for a wide variety of uses.
What makes it even more versatile is the different finishes that can be applied to the stainless steel.
See the differences in the image above of the most common finish options available for stainless steel. Applying a finish can be for aesthetics or for environmental reasons. Here is a summary of the types of the most common stainless steel finishes and what they might be used for:
No. 1 Finish
This is the starting finish for cold rolled metal,
though it can also be used as a final product
within some instances. No. 1 finished stainless
steel is an excellent option for industrial usage.
Usually, this finish is slightly rough and dull –
it does not have the polished appearance found
on many consumer-grade stainless steel products.
Nos. 2D & 2B Finishes
A No. 2D finish is the next step up from a
No. 1 finish and results in a matte appearance
and is used extensively in industrial situations.
No. 2B finishes offer a much brighter finish and
are usually used for deep drawing applications.
No. 4 Finish
For products that will see considerable amounts
of wear and tear, a No. 4 finish is ideal. While it’s
not a mirror finish, it does offer brightness and
corrosion resistance. This type of finish is
frequently used in commercial kitchen appliances
and the like.
A No. 2BA
A No. 2BA finish can be mirror-like and
is comparable to several higher finish
numbers, though some roughness can be
found in the finished surface.
No. 8 Finish
For applications that require a blemish-free,
has a non-directional finish that virtually looks
like a mirrored surface, a No. 8 finish is the
best option. Called a “true mirror finish”, this
option is usually utilized in cosmetic
stainless steel products.