Stainless steel has unique characteristics such as unique strength, high abrasion resistance, superior anti-corrosion performance and resistance to rust. Therefore, it is widely used in industry, food machinery, mechanical and electrical industry, household appliance industry, home decoration and finishing industry. The development prospects of stainless steel applications will become more and more broad, but the development of stainless steel applications is largely determined by the development of its surface treatment technology.

There will introduce common surface treatment processes on stainless steel as below.

1. Mirror polish

The mirror treatment of stainless steel is simply to polish the stainless steel surface. The polishing methods are divided into physical polishing and chemical polishing. Local polishing can also be performed on the stainless steel surface. The polishing grade is divided into ordinary polishing, ordinary 6K, fine grinding 8K, and super fine grinding 10K. The mirror gives people a sense of high-end simplicity and stylish future.

2. Sandblasting

This is the most common surface treatment process for stainless steel processing. It is mainly the power obtained by compressing the air. The high-speed jet beam sprays the material to the surface of the workpiece to be processed, causing the shape of the outer surface of the workpiece to change.

Sandblasting is mainly used in engineering and surface processes, such as increasing the viscosity of adhesive parts, optimizing machined surface burrs, decontamination and surface matte treatments. This process has a much better effect than manual sanding. The surface structure after sandblasting is uniform, which can create low-key and durable features of the product, and the production and processing efficiency is high. Manual polishing can produce a rough surface, but the speed is too slow. Chemical solvent cleaning will clean the surface too smoothly, which is not conducive to coating adhesion.

3. Chemical treatment

This process mainly uses a combination of chemical and electrochemical methods to treat a layer of stable compounds formed on the surface of stainless steel. For example, electroplating, which is common in our lives, is a type of chemical treatment.

Chemical treatment mainly relies on rust removal by separate or mixed acid solution, anion solution, etc. Afterwards, a protective film is formed on the metal surface by chromate treatment, phosphate treatment, anodization, blackening and other methods. This process is mainly used to make complex pattern effects, create vintage or current design requirements.

4. Surface coloring

The surface coloring process of stainless steel can bring different colors to stainless steel, making the metal more colorful. Coloring not only makes stainless steel richer in appearance, but also can effectively improve the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the product. Commonly used surface coloring methods are: chemical coloring method, electrochemical oxidation coloring method, ion deposition oxide coloring method, high temperature oxidation coloring method, and vapor phase cracking coloring method.

5. Brushed

Brushed metal is a common decoration method in life. It can be made into several patterns, such as straight lines, threads, corrugations, random lines and spiral lines. This surface treatment has the characteristics of good feel, fine gloss, and strong abrasion resistance. It is widely used in electronic equipment, home appliances, mechanical equipment and other aspects.

6. Spraying

The spraying of stainless steel is substantially different from the above coloring treatment. Due to the different materials, some spray paints may damage the surface oxide layer of stainless steel. However, some spray coatings can use a simple process to achieve different colors of stainless steel products, and you can also use different spray coatings to change the feel of stainless steel.