Finding Better Manufacturing Equipment

A Brief Overview Of Various Types Of Metal Finishings For Steel

19 September 2017

Clarence Gray

Whether you are tackling a DIY project on your property or picking up a piece of metal furniture, roofing, or cabinetry, you will soon discover that in addition to many types of metal, there are also many various finishes. While you may be basically familiar with metal finishing techniques, you probably are not real familiar with the finishes that they can come with or even what their advantages are. This is especially true when it comes to steel because it can boast so many different finishes. Take a look at some of the most common stainless steel finishes and the advantages of each:

Powder Coated Finish

Powder coated finish is a common form of metal finishing on steel components like metal roofing pieces, metal appliances, and even metal vehicle parts. The finish will likely be a different color than the metal, and it is highly resilient to scuffs and scratches, which makes powder-coated steel ideal for use outdoors. The powder-coating process involves applying a pigmented particle dust to the metal and then baking the finish in place. As the metal is heated, the particles melt and constrict together to form a tight shell around the metal that adds protection. 

Metal Plated Finish 

In its natural state, steel is not as resilient as it should be for a lot of processes and uses. In these cases, other metals are often used to create a plated finish that adds to the resiliency of the metal. For example, you may find nickel-plated steel or steel with a copper finish. Not only will the metal plating process change the overall structure and resiliency of the steel, it can also change its flexibility and color as well. Therefore, it is not uncommon for steel to be plated with an array of different forms of metal to achieve different effects. metal plating takes place through a chemically induced process during manufacturing. 

Brushed Finish 

A piece of steel that has a brushed finish has basically had its outer layer altered through a brushing process to give it more of a sheen or matte-like look. Brushed steel pieces are typically seen on interior items that would be found inside of the home because the finish is primarily done for aesthetic purposes. Therefore, you may find a set of cabinets with a brushed finish, a lamp, or even certain furniture pieces. While the brushed finish is mostly aesthetic, it also can make the steel more adherent to other finishing processes, such as powder-coating or painting. 

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