Selecting the Grade, Thickness and Finish of Stainless Steel used to manufacture any fixture are perhaps the most important decisions of all. At BRITEX we are regularly asked to consult on these decisions. To help make these choices a little easier, please see below a basic guide to assist you.
Grade
The ‘grade’ of Stainless Steel refers to the physical makeup of the Stainless Steel itself and can have a significant impact on such characteristics as its formability, resistance to foreign substances and ease of welding. BRITEX commonly works with two particular grades of Stainless Steel. Here is a brief summary of these materials.
Grade 304
- Grade 304 Stainless Steel is the most commonly used grade of Stainless Steel at BRITEX. It has great formability and welding characteristics and from a budgeting point of view, provides ‘value for money’
- Most products in the BRITEX catalogue range come standard in this grade.
- Grade 304 has lower resistance properties to corrosion from foreign abrasive substances such as chemicals and salt air
- Common product applications include sanitary fixtures, domestic, food handling and kitchen benching, panelling and architectural fittings
Grade 316
- Grade 316 has a higher resistance to corrosion from foreign abrasive substances including chemicals and salt air
- Depending on the specific product, BRITEX can manufacture catalogue items (normally made in grade 304) in this grade. Please consult BRITEX for clarification before specifying.
- Has a very high degree of formability and welding characteristics but is more expensive than grade 304 S/S
- Common product applications include fixtures and benching for laboratories and hospitals, water craft and products installed in harsher environments (E.g. coastal areas and aquatic centres)
** It is important to note that even grade 316 S/S is only stain resistant, not stain proof. Should it be subjected to prolonged periods of time in contact with E.g. chemicals, without being passivated, the S/S will be prone to some discoloration and damage to the finish.
Thickness and Substrates
Stainless Steel is available in a large number of thicknesses. At BRITEX, the majority of our custom made products are manufactured in 1.2mm and 1.5mm thickness. From our experience, we recommend that the thickness of Stainless Steel used be dictated by the substrate of the item, which is in turn dictated by the product’s application.
For areas that require a high degree of moisture resistance, we recommend an 18mm thick melamine lined substrate. This will ensure no moisture can permeate the wood. The additional benefit of this substrate is that due to its stability, the bench will only require 1.2mm Stainless Steel, as the strength is in the substrate.
For areas that require an optimal amount of moisture resistance (such as Supermarkets where areas are frequently hosed down), we recommend a 32mm Stainless Steel SHS tube frame substrate. As there will be large sections of open space under the Stainless Steel top, we recommend the use of 1.5mm thick Stainless Steel to fabricate the top. This will help to produce a rigid, stable top.
*** Whilst BRITEX makes the above recommendations, we are more than happy to fabricate to alternative specifications should another combination be requested by our clients.
Finish
The finish of the Stainless Steel refers to the actual appearance of the surface. It is perhaps the decision most open to personal preference, whereby practicality, cost and maintenance are all deciding factors. The most common finishes that BRITEX use in our day to day manufacturing are:
No.4 Finish – Also known as a ‘satin finish’, a No.4 is the most common finish for products manufactured at BRITEX and is characterized by short, parallel polishing lines, which extend uniformly along the length of the Stainless Steel.
Applications Include:
Commercial bench work, sanitary fixtures, wall panelling, drinking fountains, sinks, furniture, architectural fixtures and storefronts
‘Hand Satin’ No.4 Finish – Is similar to a No.4 finish, except rather than ‘blending’ around weld points, the entire surface of the end product is re-polished by hand to resemble a No.4 finish, rather than leave blending lines. This ensures a constant finish appearance over the entire product. An added benefit of this is that the surface is easily maintained and responds well to re-polishing with a scouring pad.
Applications Include:
Domestic bench work, vanity benching
No.8 Finish – Also known as a ‘mirror’ finish, a No.8 is the most reflective Stainless Steel finish with an appearance that is very close to a true mirror. It is normally only seen in flat or curved sheet products as it doesn’t respond well to bending or welding as it is difficult to re-polish to a No.8 ‘mirror’ finish.
Applications Include:
Column covers, Security Mirrors, Ornamental trim, Reflectors, Signage, Wall panels
Bright Annealed Finish (BA) – Has a mirror-like appearance but may have some cloudiness and other imperfections. It is sometimes buffed to attain a more mirror-like finish and is often specified for applications where monetary budgets are constrained but a reflective surface is desired.
Applications Include:
Commercial refrigeration, Security mirrors, Range hoods
