Stainless Steel Finishes

A wide range of finishes can be applied to stainless steel (ss). Anita Steel & Metals stocks material with many different mill finishes.

Our stainless steel finish types include:

• No. 1 Finish/HRAP

  (Hot Rolled Annealed & Pickled, also called a No. 1 Finish) – This dull finish is common for heavy gauge material. In general, stainless steel over .1875” thick will be delivered as HRAP. It is also possible to have HR (Hot Rolled) or HRA (Hot Rolled Annealed) stainless steel; however, Stainless Sales Corporation typically carries HRAP from .1875” to .250” thick.

• No. 2 Finish

   There are two variations of the No. 2 finish. Unless specified, either a 2D or a 2B will be delivered when a No. 2 finish is requested.

  • 2D

    This dull finish is achieved by cold-rolling, heat-treating & pickling. It is the standard finish for 439, 409, 436 and 441.

  • 2B Mill Finish

    This mill finish is produced the same way as 2D, but a final light rolling pass gives the surface a smooth, reflective gray sheen. It is the standard finish for 201, 301, 304, 304L and 316L. 2B stainless steel finishes are most commonly used in the petrochemical, industrial and food processing industries.

• BA (Bright Annealed)

  This bright, shiny finish is produced by annealing in an oxygen-free atmospheric condition following cold-rolling with highly polished rolls. The degree of brightness can vary depending on the grade, gauge and annealing conditions. Common grades of BA material are 304 and 430. When buying a BA, be sure to specify its end-use. This information is critical to ensuring that you receive the best bright surface for your application. BA material is available only up to about .075” thick. Due to the process, a light gauge BA material may be brighter than 16 gauge BA.

If you are unsure of what finish is best for your application, we highly recommend that you contact us. As specialists, we will ensure that your finish is the correct one.

With the use of abrasives, the additional finishes below can also be attained. The higher the number of the finish, the greater the grit number and the finer the polish will be on the steel.

Anita Steel & Metals carries limited stock in the following:

• No. 3 Finish – This finish is obtained with a ground unidirectional 80 to 100–grit abrasive. It is sometimes an intermediate step for finer finishes.
• No. 4 Finish – This finish is obtained with a ground 150-grit abrasive.
• No. 43 Finish – Appliance finish

Many other finishes can be applied to stainless steel as well. Contact us for technical expertise in selecting the right one for you. Choosing the right finish can be critical for many applications.