When to Use Graining on Stainless Steel
Graining is the process of putting a surface texture on metal, ideal for use in many places around the home or workplace. It happens by running the metal through a particular grinder or rubbing the piece with a hand tool. This directional pattern can come in handy for many reasons. However, if you have never used graining on stainless steel before, you might wonder when you should use it.
Keep reading to learn more about when to use graining on stainless steel. There are many reasons, and it is vital to be informed about all of them. This statement is especially true if you are working with this item in a home or workspace.
Graining Adds Effects to Appliances
The graining on stainless has a unique look that comes off as pristine and put-together. You might use graining to give a specific appearance to the material. If you do this, you should ensure that every stainless-steel appliance has the same texture in your home. This extra effort will make a unified space for your home or work area.
You can add graining to stainless steel:
- Sinks, with stainless steel making up most of their parts
- Countertops that are comprised entirely of steel
- Stoves that will not suffer damage from the graining process
All of these items might benefit visually from the addition of graining. If you do this, it is best to grain the steel before putting it inside the space. This action is not always possible, however. There are other options for those who want this after all goes in.
Of course, you do not have to do this to your appliances for them to look good. Without graining, stainless steel will be a little duller and uniform. If this is what you like, you do not need to grain the steel.
Graining Removes Imperfections
Stainless steel is an item that is very, very smooth. Because of this, it is prone to imperfections. These can come from traveling, manufacturing, or the living space that the steel exists in. These abnormalities can ruin the look of stainless steel in a home. Graining can help to cover these up.
Some of the imperfections that graining helps with includes:
- Scratches, which can happen at any point in the manufacturing process
- Mill scale, which is a type of iron oxide that happens during the hot-rolling process
- Surface Porosity, which means it has a ton of tiny holes in the surface
These problems can be hidden to some degree with graining if it goes on in a specific manner.
If you don’t like issues in your steel, graining might be your best option. Try it out if you are looking to solve one of the imperfections listed above.
Graining Allows the Steel to Bend
When a grain is added, it can increase the strength of stainless steel while also making it easier to bend. Those that intend to shape and warp the metal might find this technique beneficial in the process. It will be easier to work with it once graining has been added to the surface.
After the graining goes on, it is vital to note that it should be bent against and not with the grain. Bending with it could cause the steel to snap. If it doesn’t, it won’t be as strong as it would if it folds against the grain.
Graining Helps an Area Age Better
As stainless steel sits in a home for a long time, harm will inevitably befall it. You can expect to see various scratches and other issues that appear on the surface as your life takes its natural course. Graining can assist in making aging a smoother process.
By adding graining, the stainless steel:
- Will appear the same for longer
- Will blend scratches into the surface
- Will be stronger as time goes on
All of these can come as a result of graining.
If you intend to live in your home for a long time, graining will serve you well. You should look into it if you have family members that are likely to cause harm to your unique surfaces. Your house might be old, but it doesn’t have to look that way prematurely.
Graining Adds Some Shine
We already talked about the way that graining stainless steel can fix imperfections. It is also vital to know that it can add a unique shine and finish that no other method can provide.
You might need this shine if you are going to use stainless steel for:
- Manufacturing surfaces in your kitchen
- Creating an item like an airplane or another portable vessel
These might be useful for adding a shine to the surfaces you are using stainless steel for in your home or workspace.
Shiny steel looks great in a home. The fact that it also prevents scratches is a huge plus. If you are trying to keep your stainless-steel areas in tip-top shape, graining is a route you should look into as an option.
Graining Permits Simple Fabrication
Graining can make stainless steel easier to work with. As we mentioned earlier, it makes it simpler to bend and mold into whatever shape you need it to be. It also provides a quality look that will fit any project that is required of it.
Graining ahead of time is sure to make your life a whole lot easier. The benefits of something as simple as digging lines into stainless steel are tremendous.
If you’d like Meta Fab to quote your next metal project, please submit your RFQ here!
Conclusion
Graining is a unique and intricate process that many incorporate into metal. It can come in handy when using stainless steel for many reasons. Graining can cover imperfections, create a shine, and allow the material to be easier to work with. The process is simple to accomplish by anyone of any experience level.
With these applications, you should be able to understand when using graining on stainless steel is the best possible option. Whether you are using stainless steel for your kitchen or an airplane, this technique could come in handy. Graining is an excellent addition if you know when to use it on stainless steel in your space.
Contact Meta Fab in Hillsboro, Oregon for metal fabrication services.