Different stainless steel surface treatment processes can highlight different visual effects and tactile characteristics of the same material. From a design perspective, it is necessary to understand the surface treatment processes of these 7 stainless steels.
1. PVD process
PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) - Physical vapor deposition: refers to the process of using physical processes to transfer substances, transferring atoms or molecules from the source to the surface of the substrate. Its function is to spray certain particles with special properties (high strength, wear resistance, heat dissipation, corrosion resistance, etc.) onto the lower performance matrix, making the matrix have better performance. Basic PVD methods: vacuum evaporation, sputtering, ion plating (hollow cathode ion plating, hot cathode ion plating, arc ion plating, active reaction ion plating, RF ion plating, DC discharge ion plating).

2. Sandblasting (shot peening) treatment 

Sandblasting is a process that uses compressed air as the power to form a high-speed jet beam that sprays materials (copper ore, quartz sand, diamond sand, iron sand, sea sand) at high speed onto the surface of the workpiece to be treated, causing changes in the appearance or shape of the workpiece surface. 

Sandblasting has strong applications in engineering and surface technology, such as improving the viscosity of adhesive parts, removing dirt, optimizing surface burrs after machining, and surface matte treatment. 

The sandblasting process is more uniform and efficient than manual polishing, and the stainless steel treatment of this method creates the low-key and durable characteristics of the product. 

3. Chemical treatment 

Chemical treatment is a general term for the method of using chemical or electrochemical treatment to generate a layer of stable compounds on the surface of stainless steel. Electroplating, as we often say, is achieved through electrochemical treatment. 

The use of acid solution alone or in combination, anodic dissolution (electrolysis), etc. for rust removal, and the use of phosphate treatment, chromate treatment, blackening, anodizing, etc. to form a protective film on the metal surface, all belong to this method. This method can achieve complex pattern effects and create retro or modern design requirements. 

4. Mirror treatment 

The mirror treatment of stainless steel, in simple terms, refers to the polishing of the surface of stainless steel. The polishing methods are divided into physical polishing and chemical polishing. Local polishing can also be performed on the surface of stainless steel, with polishing levels divided into ordinary polishing, ordinary 6K, fine grinding 8K, and fine grinding 10K. The mirror gives people a feeling of simplicity and a fashionable future. 

5. Surface coloring 

Stainless steel coloring not only endows stainless steel products with various colors, increases the variety of product designs, but also improves product wear resistance and corrosion resistance. There are many methods for surface coloring, which can be systematically divided into: 1. Chemical oxidation coloring method; 2. Electrochemical oxidation coloring method; 3. Ion deposition oxide coloring method; 4. High temperature oxidation coloring method; 5. Gas phase cracking coloring method.