Applicability of different stainless steel finishes

When selecting your metal type, you have a choice of aluminum, steel, STAINLESS STEEL and brass. If you choose stainless steel, there are then 27 available stainless steels. Which one do you choose? Many of our stainless steels come with a finish. Here you can read which finishes 247TailorSteel offers and what it adds to your product.

2R / BA finish

BA finish stands for Bright Annealed finish and is also known as 2R finish. This glossy finish is identified by its mirror-like surface. It is produced by cold rolling followed by annealing in a protective atmosphere. This finish is commonly used in household appliances, think dishwasher or washing machine; the smooth surface allows clothes to slide easily through the machine. Because of its reflective surface, BA finish is also often used for decorative purposes or as road mirrors in traffic. Because of the smooth surface, the stainless steel is well protected from corrosion, but is susceptible to scratches and other damage. If the stainless steel sheet with BA finish is damaged, it can affect its corrosion resistance.

2B finish

The 2B finish provides a visually smooth and even surface. The finish reflects little and fingerprints remain visible. Stainless steel with this finish is primarily used in the chemical, industrial and food industries, think sinks, elevators and gutters. Preferably, it is not used in visible areas, but is all about functionality. It is the most widely used stainless steel surface finish. It is produced by cold rolled metal pickling and then cold post-rolling. This makes it highly corrosion resistant and can withstand a scratch.

1D finish

The 1D finish is a standard finish and aims to maintain good corrosion resistance. It has a rough surface and a dull appearance. Therefore, it is also mainly used for non-decorative purposes. 1D is mainly used for thicker sheets and is mainly found in construction, furnace linings and machinery.

These above finishes are at 247TailorSteel available and selectable in Sophia®. In the materials overview of stainless steel sheets lists even more properties about a sheet such as 1zF, K240 and K320. These are not finishes but indicate something about the appearance of the material. We briefly explain these.

1zF

1zF is not a finish but stands for 1 side film. The foil is applied to the side of the finish to protect the surface. The foil remains in place during stainless steel processing, placement and is removed shortly before commissioning. You can also have 1zF stainless steel sheets silken. To do this edge rounding add to your order. Timesaver treats the underside of the plate, giving it a directionless circular look. This is also not a true finish, but does give a neat look. Useful for parts whose two sides become (partially) visible.

K240 and K320

K240 and K320 indicates that the stainless steel has been sanded or ground. The numbers represent the coarseness of the sanded surface. With K320, an abrasive tape has been used where 320 grains per cm² are processed, at K240 this is 240 grains per cm². The latter is particularly used abroad. K240 provides a coarser surface but looks good. This sanded or ground stainless steel is also called "matt brushed. Brushed stainless steel has many indoor and outdoor applications. Examples include stair railings, door hardware and ventilation grilles. K240 and K320 stainless steel is mainly chosen when the end result has to look nice and sleek. In addition, polished stainless steel is durable and low maintenance.

All stainless steel from 247TailorSteel will be customized for you sliced and if desired edged and gesilkt. Check out the complete materials overview.

Do you have questions about the finishes of our stainless steel sheets? Our Area Sales Managers will be happy to tell you more. You can also contact our Customer Service with your questions: 0315 270 375 or via service@247Tailorsteel.com