Stainless steel surface finishes
Eight finishes, from dull 1D to mirror No.8. Every sample reflects the same dark bar, so you see the difference at a glance.
Finish picker
Compare stainless steel finishes: 2B, BA, 2E and more
Mill finishes, as rolled
Ground and polished
Hot rolled, pickled
Looks
Dull, slightly rough grey
Used for
Thicker plate, structural and industrial parts
Shine
Cold rolled, descaled, pickled
Looks
Rough and dull
Used for
Mainly for further processing
Shine
Cold rolled, pickled
Looks
Smooth matte, no shine
Used for
Deep drawing, parts that get another finish
Shine
Cold rolled, skin passed
Looks
Smooth and semi-bright; reflections are soft and cloudy
Used for
The everyday finish: food equipment, tanks, pressed parts
Shine
Bright annealed
Looks
Bright and highly reflective; reflections are clear
Used for
Appliances, trims, decorative parts
Shine
Ground with abrasive belts
Looks
Directional grain, satin sheen
Used for
Kitchens, lift doors, wall panels
Shine
Brushed with non-woven abrasive
Looks
Fine, even satin
Used for
Appliances, interiors, architecture
Shine
Polished to a mirror
Looks
Sharp, mirror reflection
Used for
Decorative panels, signage, lift interiors
Shine
The same dark bar, reflected in every finish
Matte finishes swallow it. 2B blurs it. BA and No.8 mirror it.
mattemirror
- 1D
- 2E
- 2D
- 2B
- BA
- No.4
- SB
- No.8
Images are renderings of the typical look of each finish.
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 ground finishes from K40 to K600, and super mirror (No. 8). Protective film and paper interleaving are available on request and confirmed in the offer.
| EN | DIN | AISI | Remark | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1D – No. 1 | IIa | 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. | |
| 2E | – | – | Cold rolled, heat treated, mechanically descaled and pickled stainless steel. The surface is rough and dull, so this finish is mainly used for further processing. | |
| 2D | IIIb | 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 | IIIc | 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 | IIId | 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 | Ground | 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 a process-dependent amount of material. Final thickness and tolerances are agreed before ordering. 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 | EN 2J | Brushed satin finish made with non-woven abrasive (Scotch-Brite type) pads: a fine, uniform grain that is softer and less directional than a ground No. 4 finish. Popular for architectural panels, lift and door cladding, kitchen equipment and appliances, where a consistent, easy-to-maintain look is needed. |
| 2P – No. 8 | V | No. 8 | Polished | Mirror finish (super mirror, also sold as 8K): polished in successive stages with progressively finer abrasives and buffed to a highly reflective, mirror-like surface with minimal visible lines. Used for decorative panels, lift interiors, signage, shatterproof mirrors for gyms, sports halls and washrooms, and architectural features. Supplied polished one side with protective film. |
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
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 2B and BA stainless steel finishes?
2B is cold rolled, annealed, pickled and skin-passed: a smooth, matt-grey, semi-reflective surface and the standard general-purpose finish. BA (2R) is bright annealed in a protective atmosphere, which gives a much more reflective, mirror-like surface — chosen where appearance or easy cleaning matters.
What is a No. 4 finish?
An ASTM directional polished finish. EN 2G denotes ground surfaces; EN 2J denotes brushed or dull-polished surfaces. These designations are not automatically interchangeable. Confirm the required finish, roughness and visual reference before ordering.
What is a 2E stainless steel finish?
2E is cold rolled, heat treated, mechanically descaled and pickled. The surface is rough and dull, so it is used mainly for further processing.
Which finish is used for food and hygiene applications?
2B is the most common finish for process equipment and tanks. Where product contact and cleaning are critical, a ground or polished finish with a specified roughness is used — hygienic design often calls for Ra ≤ 0.8 µm. Tell us the required Ra value and we match the finish.
Can sheets be supplied with protective film?
Protective PE film and paper interleaving can be requested to protect the surface during transport and fabrication. The available protection is confirmed for the offered material.
Do you supply mirror-polished (No. 8 / super mirror) sheets?
Mirror-polished stainless steel sheets (No. 8 / super mirror, polished one side, with protective film) can be quoted to order. Availability and origin are confirmed in the offer. Send grade, thickness, sheet size and quantity and we reply with price and lead time.
For a quotation, send grade, finish, thickness × width × length (or coil width), quantity and delivery location. Include required Ra, protective film and tolerances where specified. Unsure which finish to choose? Tell us the application.