Cold Rolled Stainless Steel Plates and Strips: Surface Processing Type and Quality Requirements 

Cold Rolled Stainless Steel Plates and Strips play a crucial role in various industries due to their exceptional corrosion resistance, durability, and unique aesthetic properties. However, their effective utilization depends greatly on the type of surface processing applied and the resulting quality of the material. In this article, we delve into the various surface processing types used for cold rolled stainless steel plates and strips, along with the corresponding quality requirements that ensure their performance and longevity.

Surface Processing Type and Quality Requirements of Cold Rolled Stainless Steel Plates and Strips:

2D surface

Processing types: cold rolling, heat treatment, pickling or descaling

Surface condition: Uniform and satin-like

The surface is processed by heat treatment and pickling after cold rolling. The satin-like surface is produced by pickling or descaling. It can be flattened by rough rolling. The rough surface processing facilitates the retention of lubricant on the steel surface during deep drawing. This surface is suitable for processing deep drawing parts, but these parts still need to be polished after forming.

2B surface

Processing types: cold rolling, heat treatment, pickling or descaling, bright finish processing

Surface condition: Smoother and straighter than the 2D surface

Based on the 2D surface, the steel plate after heat treatment and descaling is flattened with a polishing roll under a small amount of pressure. It is the most commonly used surface processing. It can be used for any purpose except extremely complex deep drawing.

BA surface

Processing types: cold rolling, bright annealing

Surface condition: Smooth, bright, and reflective

After cold rolling, the steel undergoes bright annealing in a controlled atmosphere furnace. Typically, a dry hydrogen or a mixture of dry hydrogen and dry nitrogen is used to prevent oxidation during the annealing process. It is also a commonly used surface processing for subsequent processing.

3# surface

Processing types: Brushing or matte polishing on one or both sides

Surface condition: Non-directional texture, non-reflective

The purchaser can specify the grade or surface roughness of the polishing tape. Due to the different grades of polishing tape or surface roughness, the surface appears in different states. This surface is suitable for applications where the extended product requires further processing. If the product made of steel plate or steel strip does not undergo additional processing or polishing, it is recommended to use 4# surface.

4# surface

Processing types: General polishing on one or both sides

Surface condition: Non-directional texture, reflective

After rough grinding with coarse abrasive, it is then finish ground with abrasives of 120#~150# or finer. This material is widely used in restaurant equipment, kitchen equipment, storefronts, dairy equipment, and more.

6# surface

Processing type: Single or double sides matte satin polishing, tamper grinding

Surface condition: Matte, non-directional texture

The surface reflectivity is lower than that of the 4# surface. It is made by grinding the steel plate processed with the 4# surface in a medium-grain abrasive and oil medium with tamper grinding. It is suitable for buildings and decorations that do not require luster. The grinding grade can be specified by the customer.

7# surface

Processing type: High gloss surface processing

Surface condition: Smooth, high reflectivity

It is made by rubbing the excellent basic surface. However, the surface grinding marks cannot be eliminated. This surface is mainly suitable for building exteriors that require high glossiness for decoration.

8# surface

Processing type: Mirror polishing

Surface condition: Non-directional texture, high reflectivity, clear image

The surface is made by gradually refining the abrasive polishing and rubbing with a large amount of extremely fine iron oxide. The surface does not leave any rubbing marks. This surface is widely used for molded panels and mirror finishes.

TR surface

Processing type: Cold work hardening treatment

Surface condition: Varies depending on material and amount of cold work

Apply sufficient cold work hardening treatment to the annealed and descaled steel plate. This greatly improves the strength level.

HL surface

Processing type: Cold rolling, pickling, flattening, and grinding

Surface condition: Continuous grinding texture

Polish the surface with an appropriate grade of grinding material to create a continuous grinding texture.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading our article and we hope it can help you to have a better understanding of the cold rolled stainless steel plates and strips’ surface processing type and quality requirements. If you want to learn more about cold rolled stainless steel plates and strips, we’d advise you to visit Sino Stainless Steel for more information.

As a leading supplier of stainless steel products across the world, Sino Stainless Steel provides customers with high-quality stainless steel products such as stainless steel strips, stainless steel coils, stainless steel plates, stainless steel sheets, stainless steel bars, and stainless steel pipes at a very competitive price.