The Eternal Guardian: Unveiling the Ultimate Mystery of Stainless Steel Plates!
Stainless steel plates have a smooth surface, high plasticity, toughness, and mechanical strength, and are resistant to corrosion from acid, alkaline gases, solutions, and other media. It is an alloy steel that is not easily rusted, but it is not absolutely rust free. Stainless steel plate refers to steel plates that are resistant to weak media such as atmosphere, steam, and water corrosion, while acid resistant steel plate refers to steel plates that are resistant to chemical corrosive media such as acid, alkali, and salt corrosion. Stainless steel plates have a history of over a century since their introduction in the early 20th century.
Understanding Stainless Steel Plates
Essence: Stainless steel plate is a flat steel made from stainless steel (an alloy steel) through processes such as hot rolling or cold rolling.
Core characteristics: “Stainless” and “corrosion-resistant” are its most prominent features, mainly due to its high proportion of chromium (usually at least 10.5%). Chromium reacts with oxygen on the surface of steel to form an extremely dense and stable chromium oxide passivation film, which isolates
the steel from contact with external corrosive media, thereby preventing further rusting and corrosion.
Surface treatment not only affects aesthetics, but also affects corrosion resistance, cleanliness, and specific application performance. Common ones include:
No.1 (heat treatment after hot rolling, acid washing): rough and matte surface, commonly used for industrial applications that do not require aesthetics.
2D (cold rolling, heat treatment, acid washing or descaling): presenting a dull matte surface, smoother than No.1.
2B (cold rolling, heat treatment, acid washing, bright rolling): the most commonly used and standardized surface. Smooth and flat compared to 2D, with a silver white soft reflection, suitable for most industrial and decorative purposes.
BA (Bright Annealed): Annealing in a controlled atmosphere furnace, the surface is very bright, reflective like a mirror, and does not require subsequent polishing. Commonly used in high brightness applications such as home appliances, elevators, and decorations.
No.3 (Grinding): Use abrasive particles with a particle size of 100-120 mesh to grind the surface of short streaks (hair patterns).
No.4 (Grinding): The surface of the long thread pattern (hair pattern) ground with a particle size of 150-180 mesh abrasive is finer than No.3 and has a wide range of applications (elevators, household appliances, kitchenware, building decoration).
Hairline (HL): Similar to No.4, but with more continuous and uniform patterns.
No.6 (Tampico brush grinding): finer texture and higher glossiness than No.4.
No.7 (Mirror Grinding): Close to mirror effect, but still with subtle grinding patterns.
No.8 (mirror polishing): True mirror effect, without any visible patterns. Clear reflection, used for high-end decoration, mirrors, reflective panels, etc.
Sandblasting: Using sand particles to create a uniform matte and matte surface.
Etching: Chemical methods to form patterns or textures on a surface.
Coloring: Applying colored surfaces (such as titanium gold, black titanium, rose gold, etc.) through chemical or electrochemical methods (such as PVD).
Benefits of Stainless Steel Plates
Aesthetics: High surface smoothness, with a modern feel (especially on mirror surfaces, brushed surfaces, etc.).
High strength: It has good mechanical strength and toughness.
Heat resistance/high temperature resistance: Some grades (such as austenitic stainless steel and ferritic stainless steel) can still maintain good strength and oxidation resistance at high temperatures.
Low temperature resistance: Some grades (such as austenitic stainless steel) have good toughness at low temperatures and are not easily brittle.
Easy to process: It has good plasticity and is easy to cut, bend, punch, weld, etc. (specific processability depends on the grade and condition).
Easy to clean and maintain: The surface is smooth, not prone to dirt attachment, and easy to clean and disinfect.
Environmentally friendly and recyclable: 100% recyclable
Applications of Stainless Steel Plates
Architecture and decoration: curtain walls, roofs, elevator cars and door frames, handrails, doors and windows, decorative strips, signs, indoor and outdoor decorative panels.
Kitchen equipment and appliances: kitchen cabinets, stoves, sinks, range hoods, refrigerator panels, washing machine drums, microwave ovens, dishwasher liners.
Food processing and catering: workbenches, containers, tanks, pipelines, conveyor belts, tableware, kitchenware.
Chemical and pharmaceutical industries: reaction vessels, storage tanks, pipelines, valves, pump bodies, pharmaceutical equipment (requiring high cleanliness and corrosion resistance).
Transportation: Automotive exhaust systems (mufflers, exhaust pipes), decorative strips, interior and exterior panels of rail vehicles, and ship components.
Medical equipment: surgical instruments, medical carts, disinfection equipment, implants, medical devices.
Energy and Environmental Protection: Power plants (boilers, heat exchangers), flue gas desulfurization devices, solar water heater panels, water treatment equipment.
Industrial equipment: storage tanks, pipelines, valves, pumps, mechanical components, tools, molds (partially).
Daily necessities: water bottles, thermos bottles, watch cases, jewelry, furniture accessories.
Conclusion
Stainless steel plate is an indispensable key material in modern industry and life. Understanding its core characteristics (especially the principle of stainless steel), main classifications (austenite, ferrite, martensite, duplex, precipitation hardening), common surface treatments (2B, BA, No.4, No.8, etc.), and specifications (thickness, width, state) are the basis for correct selection and application. When making a choice, it is necessary to weigh the specific application environment (corrosive medium, temperature, stress), performance requirements (strength, toughness, formability, weldability), appearance requirements, and budget comprehensively.