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While there are a variety of stainless steel grades with their own advantages, there are also stainless steel finishes. Whether they are mill finishes or applied finishes, there are a variety of aesthetically pleasing and protective stainless steel finishes available for your next building or construction project.
Check out our selection of Stainless Steel at IMS!
Check out our selection of Stainless Steel at IMS!
Common Stainless Steel Grades and Shapes
For construction and other building projects, common stainless steel grades include:- 303 Stainless Steel Metal Products
- 304 Stainless Steel Metal Products
- 316 Stainless Steel Metal Products
Stainless Steel Shapes
Available in various shapes, stainless steel products often used for construction applications and available in different finishes include the following:- Stainless Steel Bar
- Stainless Steel Sheet and Plate
- Stainless Steel Tube
- Stainless Steel Pipe
- Stainless Steel Angle
Stainless Steel Finishing Options
Your application requirements will largely determine the type of finishing options you need. Some applications will require finishing that provides enhanced corrosion resistance while other applications will require finishing that smooth surface finishes. Finishing options are numbered one through eight, with higher numbers being more reflective than lower numbers. Lower numbers have a more of a matte finish whereas higher numbers have a reflective, polished finish.Stainless Steel Mill Finishes
Mill finishes offer a matte finish for stainless steel. It is ideal for applications that do not require bright finishes or where durability remains the most important factor.
- #1D Finish
- Hot-rolled, annealed and pickled with a coarse surface
- Suitable for structural projects and support projects
- #2D Finish
- Cold-rolled, annealed and pickled, with a dull matte appearance
- Ideal for gutters and drainage applications
- #2B Finish
- Cold-rolled, annealed and pickled, with a bright/high polish appearance
- Well-suited for solar panels and architectural applications
- 304 and 316 ss grades often come with a 2B finish
- BA Finish
- Cold-rolled, bright annealed with smooth reflective surface
- Similar to #8 mirror finish
- Ideal for fabrication projects
Stainless Steel Brushed Finishes
Brushed finishes offer a reflective option with parallel or patterned lines. Brushed finishes are often used for buildings and architectural applications.- #3 Finish
- 100-120 grit
- Coarse grain finish
- Suitable for high traffic areas/applications
- #4 Finish
- 150-180 grit
- Bright brushed finish
- Works for architectural/aesthetic projects
Stainless Steel Polished Finishes
Hot rolled, then buffed, polished stainless steel finishes are highly reflective with a mirror-like shine.- #8 Mirror Finish
- Reflective and polished
- Ideal for ornamental applications and structures
Differences between Brushed Stainless Steel and Polished Stainless Steel
Brushed stainless steel finishes can vary due to different abrasive techniques and sanding belt differences used for brushed stainless steel products. #4 finish offers more reflective qualities and lines than the #3 finish.- Brushed stainless steel finishes have a dull lustered appearance whereas polished stainless steel has a bright, mirrored finish.
