Surface finishing process of stainless steel plate

Many processes that process stainless steel surfaces alter the appearance of the material. When it is actually applied to stainless steel plates, it is also essential to choose a suitable surface style.
In projects where exterior design is a major consideration, surface finish requirements will enhance the appeal of the final product. In the construction and automotive industries, for example, different finishes can be used to achieve various visual effects.
The choice of stainless steel surface finish is also important when applying the manufacturing process. The stainless steel panels will be ground before painting and gluing, a rough surface finish is ideal. The selection of stainless steel ensembles should always be clearly specified and defined in accordance with standard industry standards.

Three common stainless steel finish options are No. 2B (matte finish), No. 4 (brushed finish), No. 8 (mirror finish), No. 2B (matte finish)

No. 2B - Matte Finish
Number 2B means no further processing. Matte finishes can look dull in appearance, and this type of stainless steel is a good choice for applications where appearance is not critical, and the No. 2B matte finish is the least expensive of the stainless steel finish options.
The finish is produced from "cold rolled" stainless steel sheets through special rolls or dies. Cold rolling produces a smoother, less pitted surface. After the cold-rolled stainless steel plate is softened and surface defects removed in an acid solution, the smoothness of the plate surface can be further improved by a final pass with a polishing roll.
Common applications include chemical plant equipment, pharmaceutical equipment, paper mill equipment, laundry and dry cleaning equipment, refrigeration, wastewater treatment equipment.

No. 4 brushed surface treatment
No. 4 wire drawing may vary between different suppliers, or even between batches from the same supplier. These variations arise from different manufacturing conditions, such as the wear of the abrasive belts used in these surface treatments. A certain amount of variation should be considered when ordering a No. 4 brushed finish, so samples can be viewed beforehand to ensure the stainless steel finish has achieved the desired effect.
Disadvantages of this finish include reduced corrosion resistance, as the grooves in the stainless steel face tend to rust. The treatment is by sanding the stainless steel with a 120-180 grit belt, then softening it with a medium non-woven fabric of 80-120 grit.
Common applications include: jewelry and watches, home appliances, air conditioners, water heaters, construction, automotive design.
No. 8 - Mirror Finish
The mirror-finished stainless steel panel is highly reflective and is made of polished stainless steel. The polishing process enhances the aesthetics and makes cleaning easier. It also masks the effects of welding, hiding surface damage. A No. 8 mirror finish is produced by mechanically treating the surface with a series of progressively finer abrasives. Alternatively, a special rolling program that simulates the appearance of mechanical wear is also available. At this stage, be sure to remove surface scratches, as any surface imperfections on the finished product will be very noticeable. The final process involves polishing the surface for 5-10 minutes to create a mirror-like highly reflective surface. The benefit of No. 8 mirror finish is improved corrosion resistance. Polishing eliminates crevices that could harbor corrosive particles.