Stainless steel processing involves various techniques such as cutting, bending, folding, and welding to create final products with stainless steel properties, tailored for industrial applications. This process requires a variety of specialized machinery, tools, and equipment. Stainless steel processing equipment can be broadly categorized into two main types: shearing equipment and surface treatment equipment. Shearing equipment further divides into open flat equipment and slitting equipment. Additionally, depending on the thickness of the stainless steel, there are cold and hot rolling processing machines. For thermal cutting, plasma cutting, laser cutting, and water jet cutting are common methods used.
Stainless Steel Surface Finishes
Original Surface: NO.1 - This is the surface after heat rolling and heat treatment followed by pickling. It's typically used for cold-rolled materials in industrial tanks, chemical equipment, and similar applications, usually for thicknesses between 2.0mm and 8.0mm.
Blunted Surface: NO.2D - After cold rolling, heat treatment, and pickling, the material becomes soft with a silvery-white surface, ideal for deep drawing processes like automotive parts and water pipes.
Matte Finish: NO.2B - This finish undergoes cold rolling, heat treatment, pickling, and finishing rolling, resulting in a moderately bright surface. Its smoothness makes it easier to re-polish for a shinier look, making it popular for tableware and building materials. With proper surface treatment, it meets nearly all usage requirements.
Rough Sand: NO.3 - Created using a 100-120 grit grinding belt, it offers good gloss and has discontinuous rough lines. Commonly used in interior and exterior decorative materials, electrical products, and kitchen equipment.
Fine Sand: NO.4 - Produced with a 150-180 grit grinding belt, it provides better gloss with fine, discontinuous rough lines compared to NO.3. Widely used in bathrooms, interior and exterior decorations, electrical products, kitchen equipment, and food processing equipment.
#320 Finish - Ground with a 320 grit belt, it offers superior gloss, fine lines, and a thinner finish than NO.4. Also used in bathrooms, interior and exterior decorations, electrical products, kitchen equipment, and food processing equipment.
HAIRLINE: HLNO.4 - Achieved through continuous grinding with an appropriate size abrasive belt, producing a uniform grind pattern (ranging from 150-320 grits). Primarily used in architectural decoration, elevators, door panels, and building facades.
Glossy: BA - Obtained by applying a bright annealing process after cold rolling and smoothing, this finish boasts excellent surface gloss and high reflectivity, resembling a mirror. Commonly used in home appliances, mirrors, kitchen equipment, and decorative materials.
Application Fields
In architectural applications, the surface finish of stainless steel plays a crucial role. A smooth surface is essential in corrosive environments since it resists dirt accumulation, which could otherwise lead to rusting or corrosion. In spacious halls, stainless steel is frequently used for elevator decorative panels. While fingerprints can be removed, they still affect aesthetics, so choosing an appropriate surface finish can help prevent smudges.
Hygiene is vital in numerous industries including food processing, catering, brewing, and chemical manufacturing. Here, surfaces need to be easily cleaned daily, often requiring chemical cleaners. Stainless steel excels in this regard. Unlike aluminum, whose surface tends to retain marks, stainless steel can be thoroughly cleaned without leaving residue. When cleaning stainless steel, always follow its directional lines, as some finishes have unidirectional patterns.
Stainless steel is particularly well-suited for areas where hygiene is paramount, such as hospitals, food processing facilities, catering services, breweries, and chemical plants. Not only is it easy to clean daily with or without chemical cleaners, but it also minimizes bacterial growth. Studies show that stainless steel shares similar antimicrobial properties with glass and ceramics.
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