What is stainless steel
Stainless steel is the same as inox, rustproof steel. There are various qualities. The most commonly used quality is AISI-304. This consists of an alloy of 18% chromium and 8% nickel and a minimum of 1.2% carbon. The rest is iron. Stainless steel can rust if the surface is damaged and comes into contact with iron, rust, or rust water. In aggressive environments such as swimming pools (chlorine), the coast (salt air), or areas with many chemical companies, the more expensive AISI-316 quality is used. This has a 2% molybdenum addition, which makes it more resistant to rust. These two qualities (AISI-304 and AISI-316) are not magnetic.
Application of stainless steel
Stainless steel is widely used as cover material for elevators, counters, facades, and machines. But also on ships, stairs, and anti-slip floors. Stainless steel is therefore suitable for various applications.
Quality
The most commonly used qualities are the austenitic qualities AISI-304 and 316, which are non-magnetic due to the nickel addition. If there is no nickel in it, it is a ferritic quality such as AISI-430. This is considerably cheaper.
AISI is a classification standard developed by the American Iron and Steel Institute. There is also a German standard. This is called Werkstoff and is indicated with a "W." The German standard for AISI-304 corresponds to the German quality W.1.4301. The quality designation for AISI-316 is W.1.4401 and that for AISI-430 is W.1.4016.
Delivery form
Stainless steel is supplied as sheets, coils, tubes, and rods from which end products are made. There are two delivery forms, namely 2B and BA. 2B is pickled (gray surface) and annealed. This is a factory finish. Delivery form BA (Bright annealed) has a shiny surface and is obtained by cold rolling. This is also a factory finish.
Stainless steel processing
Stainless steel processing can still be done with this material, such as grinding, blasting, or high-gloss polishing and then possibly cold rolling with a profiled roll, coloring, and etching.
Grinding
Grinding can be done with sanding belts but also with circles (sun motif).
Sun motif
There is also sun motif ground stainless steel plate (chiseled stainless steel) that is widely used as tank lining, door lining for cold stores, and in butcher shops. Here, the surface gets overlapping circles.
Blasting
Blasting is directionless and can be done with sand (sandblasting) and glass beads (glass bead blasting). With these stainless steel processing methods, a matte surface is obtained.
High-gloss polishing
This is a stainless steel processing method where it is polished until it is mirror-like.
Mirror 8
Stainless steel Mirror 8 is highly reflective material with a smooth surface. These stainless steel mirror plates are mainly used on facades, walls, elevators, and counters.
Cold rolling
Cold rolling is a stainless steel processing method that results in patterned stainless steel such as 5WL waffle plate (rigidized), 6WL waffle plate (rigidized), 7GM waffle plate (rigidized), leather pattern stainless steel, checks, linen, and anti-slip floor plates.
Coloured stainless steel
Coloured stainless steel is a stainless steel process achieved by electrolytically treating these plates. This is done in a bath of chemicals and heat supply where the colors of the spectrum and black are obtained. It can be compared to the electrolytic coloring of aluminum. In this process, the oxide layer of the stainless steel, which provides protection to the surface, making it stainless, is treated and given a color from the spectrum. This oxide layer is very thin. If you grind through it, the color disappears at that spot.
Another way of stainless steel processing for obtaining coloured stainless steel is to provide it with a thin titanium layer (titanium vapor deposition or PVD). This is only possible in the colors gold, bronze, and black. Coloured stainless steel, black stainless steel, and titanium vapor deposition stainless steel are very exclusive and are mainly used on facades, walls, elevators, and counters.
Etching
Stainless steel can be etched to obtain any desired image. The thicker the material, the deeper it can be etched. Etching removes material with acids.
