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Thursday, January 22, 2015

A guid to buying stainless steel sheets

When it comes to finding the correct finish or the correct grade of stainless steel sheets it is very important that you make the right decisions or you will not get the final product that you desire. If you know what to look for, this is a pretty simple process. One very important thing which you need to know at this point is that this steel isn't stain proof. It's just called stainless simply because it is extremely resistant to stains and can be used for a number of different applications.

It's an alloy which has consistent properties. It doesn't require too much coating or surface protection in order to retain its shine. The stain resistance ability of this metal isn't limited to its surface either. Even when it gets damaged, the surface that is exposed will continue to retain these properties. It is not going to corrode or even lose any color.

The different grades, forms and alloys all provide the right materials for application in various situations where highly durable metals are required. The surface of the metals is resistant to rusting and the corrosive effects of many chemicals. Given below is some information which will allow you to figure out the best material for your needs.

The 300 series of steel is among the most common type. It is so popular basically because it is ductile and is extremely resistant to corrosion. It is quite easy to weld as well. If you are looking for something to use in heavy duty stuff, 304 & 316 are your best choices. They are used mostly in food processing and the chemical industry.

These metals are available in a variety of different finishes as well. Some of them are made for serving certain purposes while others are simply meant to be used as decoration. These various finishes are created with the help of various treatments which basically vary the amount of nickel and chromium in the metal. Some of them can even be given magnetic properties if required.

You can get rid of any unsightly edges with the help of trim moldings as well. No job is going to look good if the edges aren't perfectly trimmed right? This will not only give the metal a professional looking finish but will also make it easy for you to install it. And lastly, ensure you find a supplier who can provide various different types of bends on your trim moldings.

A brief overview of stainless steel sheets

In today's day and age, there aren't too many manufacturing or construction projects that are completed without using stainless steel sheets. The reason for this is pretty simple as well, stainless steel sheets have a very high tensile strength and deliver an excellent finish. They are very durable as well. And the best part about all of this is that they can be maintained quite easily as well. This is what makes it a better alternative as compared to regular steel.

There are three things which people keep in mind when it comes to deciding what type of stainless steel sheets they should buy. The first thing is obviously grade, the next thing is size and the final thing is the overall finish. Three of the common grades of stainless steel which are available nowadays are 304, 316 & 410. The most commonly used grades out of this is 304. This is because it offers excellent corrosion resistance and still maintains its core quality & durability. Don't think about grade 303 here since it isn't available in the form of sheets.

The thickness of these sheets is usually between 0.4mm & 2.5mm. If you have requirements which are lower than this then you are probably thinking of foil. And if you have requirements of sheets which are more than 2.5mm then you will be looking for a plate instead.

When it comes to the finish, the sheet which is produced is 1st rolled into the size required and then the required thickness. It is only after this that it is made to pass through rollers that are highly polished before another final finish is required.

There are quite a few different types of finishes that you could go in for. There are many different patterns available for you to choose from nowadays. Brushed finish is the most common among these and there is a pattern of some extremely fine lines which are made from small scratches in unidirectional ways. The satin finish is another common one where scratch brushing is the process used to produce soft sheens. And lastly, mirror polishing gibes sheets reflective, highly polished surfaces.

At the end of the day, these sheets are basically in high demand simply because of western style urbanization. Most manufacturers choose these sheets because it can be used for so many different things including counter tops, appliances, etc. So what are you waiting for? Get some stainless steel sheets today.