For those people outside of our industry, picking the right finish for steel might be more challenging than picking a winning bracket for the NCAA basketball tournament.If that describes you, don't feel bad. It's actually one of the most common questions we get when taking orders for custom banding products.You might also wonder why steel finish is all that important in the first place. After all, steel is well-regarded for its strength and durability, so what does the finish matter?The main driver behind the need for so many types of steel finishes is that steel is used in such a wide variety of applications - from kitchen silverware to stainless steel banding on the San Francisco Bay Bridge. Each of these applications has a unique set of requirements as well as environmental conditions, and these changing conditions warrant using different finishes of steel for the best results.Here are the common factors which determine which steel finish you'll need:CorrosionDespite its tough reputation, steel is still an iron-alloy capable of reacting with the environment in ways the owner wouldn't want. For example, corrosion is a constant problem for metals thanks to oxygen and moisture. Even stainless steel can succumb to a certain amount of corrosion in extreme conditions. In these cases, 304 and 316 stainless are best suited for corrosive environments.Damage from Friction, Wear & TearSteel isn't just susceptible to corrosion though. Depending on the metal's application, finishes can also be used to offer further protection from the elements, as well as operations that might subject it to friction, forms of wear and overall maintenance issues.AestheticsOf course, some finishes are used simply for style's sake. While they should still offer basic protection to the metal, these days, many finishes are designed specifically to augment its aesthetic value. This is especially true for types of steel to be used indoors. Steel that is used solely for indoor, decorative purposes generally don't need to worry about much more than natural corrosion. But the right finish can help them bring about a specific look.Unfortunately, in our business this is a major concern as our products often find themselves in the harshest outdoor environments!Types of FinishesThere are many finishes that can be applied to steel. Learning about them can also help to flesh out the purpose for finishes in the first place. Let's look at some of the more popular ones.Mill FinishesThe most basic type of finish steel can have is known as a mill finish. It gets the name from receiving the finish as part of its production at the mill. A mill finish simply helps prepare iron for durability in light of modern demands. This type of finish does not lend itself well to steels that will be used as decoration, though. That's because the result is a dull, grey finish. However, a mill finish works well as a base in case you'd like to add another one on top to achieve a certain appearance. Mill finishes often differ by the actual mill the steel was produced in.Acid FinishesForms of acid can be used to help bolster steel's look and function. De-scaling, for example, is a process whereby steel is immersed in an acid solution. These are almost always applied to mill finishes, as the process involved can result in scale build up in the steel itself. The acid works to clean that scale away.Brushed FinishesIn terms of purely aesthetic finishes, brushed steel may be one of the most popular. It is also referred to as a satin finish, because of how smooth it leaves the metal. The finish also produces a "grain" effect. This is when the direction the steel was polished in is obvious due to a subtle grain that resembles that of wood.Polished FinishAnother popular finish for aesthetic purposes is a polished finish. The result is a surface much like a mirror. It begins with a grinding process that can leave a buffed appearance, like with brushed finishes. However, the further polishing that's involved makes for a reflective surface. Polished steel is also popular because of how easy it is to clean, given the lack of crevices on its smooth surface.Steel is a great material for all kinds of things. Whether it's being used for the actual construction of a building or what goes inside of it, steel gives the user a consistent, affordable metal that is also extremely durable. That being said, the right finish is necessary to further fortify steel's abilities and, often, to give it the desired look.Other resources about steel finishes:Bright vs. Dark Finishes http://isostainless.com/_blog/Stainless_Steel_Blog/post/Bright_and_dull_steel_finishes/Types of Stainless Steel Surface Finishes http://isostainless.com/_blog/Stainless_Steel_Blog/post/Types_of_Stainless_Steel_Surface_Finishes/
