The purpose of this guide is to:

·         show to the architect and designer the wide range of possible surfaces at his/her disposal

·         provide more detail on the processes involved

·         provide basic technical advice on their application

This paper, presented at the IOM workshop, So You Want to Build it in Stainless Steel, firstly outlines mill and mechanically polished (brushed) finishes to EN 10088 part 2. It goes on to discuss patterned finishes, bead-blasted finishes and electropolished finishes in a wide range of applications.

Hydrofluoric acid is an aggressive substance used in the stainless steel industry, usually to assist in removal of scale and the chrome depleted layer associated with welds. This ASSDA technical bulletin outlines changes to drugs and poisons schedules and state-by-state contacts on the subject in Australia.

Galling (cold welding) is a form of severe adhesive wear. The mechanism is briefly described. Methods for reducing galling tendency are discussed and include lubrication, nitriding and hard chromium plating.

Stainless steels are used because of their corrosion resistance in a wide variety of service environments, usually without additional coatings. In certain circumstances, however, stainless steel components or structures may require a coated (paint) finish. Examples of this may include company colour schemes or logos, environmental blending and compatibility, and general aesthetic requirements.

Acid Pickling, descaling, passivation, electropolishing and electroplating are described. in addition to mechanical polishing, abrasive blasting, barrel and vibratory finishing and finally, patterned and coloured finishes.

It is important for an architect to have an appreciation of the options available for optimum realisation and performance. The reference specification for process route and surface finish for sheet, plate, and strip, is the European Standard EN 10088 Part 2. This standard uses a combination of letter and number for designation purposes which are given here as appropriate.

Colorful illustrations throughout this free Designer Handbook provide a sampling of the customized, special finishes for stainless steel available in today's marketplace. Learn about etched, embossed, rolled, colored, and other special finishes, and where you can find them through the handbook's Directory of Representative Suppliers.

This document discusses the following points:

·         Specifying mechanically finished surfaces for stainless steel fabrications

·         Frequently used finishing methods

·         Frequently used abrasives and power tools

·         Best practice finishing

·         Case studies

·         Health, safety and environmental issues

The corrosion resistance of stainless steel is due to a 'passive', chromium-rich complex, oxide film that forms naturally on the surface of the steel. This is the normal condition for stainless steel surfaces and is known as the 'passive state' or 'passive condition'.

Summary of the main surface finish designations and comments on where they might be appropriate.