What is Hairline Finish in Stainless Steel?

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Stainless steel is a popular material used in various applications such as kitchen appliances, automotive parts, and construction materials due to its durability, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal. One of the popular finishes used in stainless steel is the hairline finish. This finish provides a unique and uniform texture that adds an elegant and sophisticated look to stainless steel products. In this article, we will discuss what a hairline finish is and its characteristics.

What is a Hairline Finish?

A hairline finish, also known as a brushed finish, is a type of surface finish that is achieved by brushing the stainless steel surface with an abrasive material. The brushing process creates a unidirectional satin-like texture on the metal surface that resembles hairline patterns, hence the name hairline finish. The finish is achieved by using a fine grit abrasive material that is moved in a single direction over the surface of the stainless steel.

Characteristics of Hairline Finish

One of the key characteristics of a hairline finish is its uniform and consistent pattern. The brushing process produces a smooth and even texture on the stainless steel surface, enhancing the material's overall aesthetic appeal. This finish is frequently used in applications where a sleek and modern look is required.

Another characteristic of a hairline finish is its durability. The brushing process creates micro-abrasions on the surface of the stainless steel, which helps hide scratches and other imperfections. This makes the hairline finish ideal for high-traffic areas such as elevator doors, escalators, and other public spaces.

In addition to its durability and uniform texture, the hairline finish is also resistant to fingerprints and smudges. This is because the brushing process establishes a non-directional pattern on the surface, which helps to mask any fingerprints or smudges that may appear. This makes the hairline finish perfect for applications where hygiene is a priority.

Applications of Hairline Finish

The hairline finish is a widely utilized option in various fields such as architecture, automotive, and consumer products. In architecture, the hairline finish is often used in elevator doors, escalators, and other high-traffic areas. It can also be found in building facades, handrails, and other decorative elements.

In the automotive industry, the hairline finish is applied to numerous parts including trims, grilles, and exhaust systems. It provides a sleek, modern appearance to these components, enhancing the overall visual appeal of the vehicle.

This finish is also prevalent in consumer products such as kitchen appliances, electronic devices, and jewelry. For kitchen appliances, it is often used in refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens, lending them a sophisticated and modern look, which is increasingly favored in contemporary kitchens.

Conclusion

The hairline finish is a sought-after surface treatment for stainless steel because of its uniform texture, durability, and resistance to fingerprints and smudges. The brushing process produces a satin-like texture on the stainless steel surface, amplifying its aesthetic appeal. The hairline finish is used in multiple applications including architecture, automotive, and consumer products due to its sleek and modern appearance. We are a hairline stainless steel sheet supplier. If you are interested in our products, please contact us now!

Hairline finishing refers to a design finish where the metal surface is given a straight line pattern, reminiscent of long, straight hair. This traditional polishing technique has been employed for ages. In this article, we will delve into the details and variations of hairline finishing.

What is hairline finish?

The hairline finish is a design finish where the metal surface is adorned with straight lines, similar to long, straight hair.

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This hairline finish is a widely used design finish that has stood the test of time. The standard stainless steel hairline finish available commercially ranges from #180 to #240. Despite its simplicity, it has been beloved for many years.

The hairline finish can vary by adjusting the roughness of the straight polished grain. A cross hairline finish can be created by crossing these grains, while a circular hairline finish can be achieved by processing the metal in a circular pattern, resembling a vinyl record.

As the most common surface treatment for stainless steel in construction and equipment, it is extremely versatile and available in various thicknesses, widths, and lengths. Grades such as SUS304 and SUS430 are accessible for nearly all general-purpose materials. There are mainly two production methods for stainless steel hairline finishes:

1. Manufacturers pre-produce hairline finish coils and distribute them to coil centers in various regions, which then process them into plates. This method primarily handles standard thickness and size plates.

2. For special thicknesses or grades, local polishers use their own techniques to finish the coils. The finish's surface roughness and gloss differ based on the production method. Manufacturers typically rotate abrasive grain paper in polishing solutions to create the hairline finish, whereas local polishers might use stationary or slightly rotating paper. This variation affects the gloss and depth of the grain. Although fine-tuning is challenging for manufacturers due to large coil production, local polishers can adjust the grain more precisely. Choose the method that best fits your design and application requirements.

Repairing welded areas or adjusting bends in hairline-finished stainless steel is relatively simple. Using paper of the same grain size as the original finish can ease the process further.

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Features

The hairline polished finish is straightforward and versatile, allowing anyone to polish small objects easily. Stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, copper, and brass are suitable materials. Typically, SUS304 hairline plates are used in various applications. However, aluminum hairline sheets are distinct, requiring anodizing post-hairline processing for raw aluminum materials. The production involves purchasing raw aluminum hairline sheets, then cutting, welding, and correcting defects before anodizing. Alternately, clear or color-clear coatings can replace anodizing.

Note some manufacturers use oiled aluminum for hairline finishing, necessitating degreasing post-final finish. (We do not use oil.)

Regardless of varied equipment among manufacturers, a wide range of products, including plates, square pipes, round pipes, channels, angles, and other shapes, can be produced. Many architectural elements utilize hairline finishes, covering not just stainless steel but also aluminum, brass, copper, and other materials. However, metals prone to corrosion, like copper and brass, require protective films after finishing. If the surface corrodes, re-polishing is mandatory for repair.

Variations

The hairline finish offers varied design expressions based on the polishing technique. It suits geometric designs, alternating hairline, and mirror finish patterns. Artistic and bold expressions are achievable by selecting appropriate grit size, speed, and polishing method.

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Change the image with a little ingenuity - Hairline finishing

Points to note

The shallow depth of the hairline finish can make fingerprints and stains more noticeable. Without an anchoring effect, coatings might peel off easily. For frequently contacted products, consider using MaCoat GC, a fingerprint-resistant coating, to maintain the finish's beauty.

Keep the beautiful design forever

Our fingerprint-resistant coating solution, MaCoatGC, is easily applicable to prevent fingerprints. The coating, almost invisible, can be used on any metal shape or location, suitable for elevator frames, interior partitions, and artwork. Contact us for purchasing information.

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