Stainless steel is a very strong and versatile building material. Made from alloyed steel, which has chromium added in the production of the sheet or coil. Chromium is a hard white metal which resembles iron. All sheets conform to AISI standard.

Metal finishes for stainless steel sheet and coil:

• 2B finish in 304 and 316 stainless steel. This is the normal finish out of the mill for these steels.
• 2D2 finish for 304 stainless steel involves an extra brush-up on the steel (use only on deco product).
• Bright annealed (BA) on 304 stainless steel - this is a dull mirror appearance.
• No. 4 linish - linishing on 304 or 316 stainless steels, this process is done on both 2B and BA finish. Linishing involves passing the steel through a linisher for a sanding of the surface.
• Satin brush finish is done on 304 stainless steel on 2B or BA finish.
• Mirror no. 8 on 304 stainless steel is produced on BA and on 316 stainless steel on 2B finish.
• Patterning is done on 304 stainless steel on both 2B, 2D2 brushed or BA finished stainless steels.
• Deco is done on 304 stainless steel on both 2B and 2D2 brushed finish.
• Hairline is done on 304 stainless steel with 2B finish.
• Bead blast finish is done on 304 stainless steel with 2B finish or BA finish. Note that the finish is duller on 2B and brighter on BA.
• Vibration finish is done on 304 stainless steel with 2B finish or BA finish. Note that the finish is duller on 2B and brighter on BA.
• Rigidizing is done on 304 stainless steel with 2D2 brushed finish.
• Etching and colouring is cross matched as above.

Production of effects on stainless steel, start with either 304 or 316 grade. The finish can be either Mirror no. 8, bead blast, vibration, hairline, No. 4 linish (satin), satin brush (super satin) and 2d2 brushed finish.

Further processing is done via metal processing. These are made of two types: patterning (double-sided) or deco (single-sided). Patterning finishes include the following AN5, AN6, 6SL, 2WL, 1LTH and 3ND. Deco finishes include Deco 1, Deco 4, Deco 6, Deco 11, Deco 15, Deco 16, Deco 17 and Deco 19. The other effects on stainless steel are etching, powder coating or over linishing.



Stainless Sections offers four colouring methods on 304 grade steel. These are

1. Titanium plating/colourising (ionic transfer). The range available is limited. These steels feature an extremely hardwearing surface.
2. Inco process colourising, also known as surface oxide spectrum alteration. This process allows for a wider range of colours.
3. Polyester full colour coating, which allows folding, post coating. After coating, highlight linishing is also usually done.
4. Polyester clear coloured tint coating, which excludes folding.

Titanium and inco process colourising are produced on mirror, plus general surfaces. Effects include hairline, vibration finish, no. 4 finish and bead blast finish.

Polyester full coating is produced on AN5 and AN6 on the face or reverse side. This is also done on 6SL steel.

Polyester clear coloured tint is produced on all patterned and general surfaces, except mirror finished steel, but also include satin brush.

Titanium and inco process coloured steels are suitable for use on elevators (lifts), wall cladding, trim work and so on.

Polyester full coating, after linishing, is ideal for heavy duty wear and cladding purposes, as well as elevators and escalators.

Polyester clear powder coating on stainless steel is suitable for bar fronts, shop fitting use, signs and so on. This product, as flat sheet, is not foldable. It is therefore used in panelling applications.

Etched metal surfaces, whether acid etched or bead blast etched products are supplied plain or combination colourised. These stainless steels can hold logos or entire patterns, which can be etched on the sheets. These stainless steels come under 500 mm wide, by 2.0 m long, manufactured in Australia. They come generally as plain metal, without colour. However, clear tinted powder coat can be added.

Note that larger panels and colour combinations are available by special indent order only.
Average size is 2438 x 1219 x 1.0 mm.