Surface finishes

At OTK Stainless Steel B.V., we supply stainless steel coils, sheets, and plates in a full range of surface finishes, including No.1 (1D), 2D, 2B, BA (2R), brushed, and grinded finishes from K40 to K600. Materials can be delivered with protective film and are standard paper-interleaved.

Surface/quality:
EN	DIN	AISI		Appearance
1D – No. 1	Ila	1D		Hot rolled, metallic-pure, annealed, pickled, and heat treated stainless steel. This is the most common hot rolled finish, featuring a non-reflective and rough surface. It is mainly used for industrial applications and is not recommended for decorative purposes.
2D	lllb	2D		Matt, cold rolled, annealed, and pickled stainless steel. After cold rolling, the material undergoes softening and de-scaling, resulting in a smoother and less-pitted surface. The finish has a uniform matt grain appearance and is used where a higher-quality surface is required or where subsequent processing and finishing will follow.
2B	lllc	2B		2B – Cold Rolled, Annealed & Skin-Passed A matt-glossy, cold rolled, annealed, pickled, and skin-passed stainless steel finish. The material is first cold rolled, softened, and de-scaled as for a standard 2D finish, then given a final light pass on polished rolls (a skin pass or pinch pass). This results in a smooth, brighter grey surface compared to 2D. 2B is the standard general-purpose cold rolled finish, suitable for a wide range of applications and compatible with subsequent surface treatments such as satin finishing, brushing, and grinding.
2R – BA	llld	BA		Mirror-glossy, bright annealed stainless steel. This finish is produced by cold rolling and de-scaling, followed by final annealing in a controlled-atmosphere furnace. Annealing without oxygen creates a highly reflective surface, often chosen instead of a 2B finish where increased reflectivity is required, such as in catering equipment and other hygiene-critical environments. The extremely smooth surface makes this finish ideal for further processing, including mirror polishing, chrome plating, and other decorative or functional surface treatments.
2G- 4N	IV	4N	Grinded	No. 4 finish is defined by short, parallel polishing lines that run uniformly along the length of the coil. This surface is created by cutting the material with abrasive belts, removing only a minimal amount of metal without altering thickness. The result is a low-gloss finish with excellent apparent flatness, making it ideal for visible panels. For fabricators, the finish is directional, enabling easy matching of surfaces and refinishing of welds. For end users, the surface can also be repaired to correct minor service damage. No. 4 is duller than other common finishes such as 2B and BA, and is typically chosen where lower reflectivity, controlled gloss, or post-fabrication refinishing is required. These refinishing results are not achievable with 2B and are difficult with BA.
SB	V	SB	2J

Applications of Stainless Steel Surface Finishes

Different surface finishes are selected based on technical and visual requirements.
Common applications include:

• Food processing equipment
• Tanks and containers
• Industrial machinery
• Architectural panels
• Kitchen and catering equipment
• Decorative components
• Chemical & energy installations
• Hygienic environments

If you need advice on selecting the right surface finish for your application, our team can help you choose the most suitable option based on technical requirements, appearance, or processing needs.