1. Mirror Polish (Mirror Polish)
Process principle:
Through mechanical polishing (coarse grinding → fine grinding → fine casting), the stainless steel surface achieves a mirror-like bright effect.
Features:
- High gloss, high reflectivity, luxurious appearance, suitable for modern simplicity and light luxury style.
- It is easy to leave fingerprints and needs to be cleaned frequently.
- The wear resistance is average, and slight scratches may occur under long-term use.
Applicable scenes:
High-end furniture, hotels, shopping malls and other places with high aesthetic requirements.
2. Brushed Finish
Process principle:
Use a sanding belt or steel wire brush for directional or random polishing on the surface of stainless steel to form a delicate silky texture.
Common types:
- Straight silk pattern (HL): one-way brushing, clear texture, anti-scratch.
- Snow pattern (NO.4): Random short silk pattern, similar to frosted texture.
- Random Hairline: No fixed direction, softer touch.
Features:
- Matte texture, low-key and high-end, not easy to show fingerprints.
- Strong wear resistance, which can cover fine scratches.
- Good anti-slip, suitable for frequently used handles.
Applicable scenes:
Household cabinets, doors and windows, office furniture, etc.
3. Sandblasting (Sandblasting)
Process principle:
Use high-speed sand grains (such as aluminum oxide and glass beads) to impact the surface of stainless steel to form a uniform frosting effect.
Features:
- Delicate matte, soft touch, anti-fingerprint.
- Adjustable roughness (coarse sand/fine sand).
- Corrosion resistance is enhanced, but long-term contact with acid and alkali may affect the surface.
Applicable scenes:
Industrial style, minimalist furniture, medical and laboratory equipment.
4. PVD coating (physical gas deposition)
Process principle:
In a vacuum environment, titanium, zirconium and other metals are coated on the surface of stainless steel by ion bombardment to form an ultra-thin wear-resistant layer.
Common colors:
- Black Titanium (Black PVD)
- Rose Gold (Rose Gold)
- Champagne Gold (Champagne Gold)
- Gunmetal (Gunmetal)
Features:
- Rich colors, no color fade, suitable for personalized design.
- Ultra-high hardness (HV800+), wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant.
- Environmentally friendly, pollution-free, better than traditional electroplating.
Applicable scenes:
High-end furniture, hotels and luxury stores.
5. Etching process (Etching)
Process principle:
Carve patterns or textures on the stainless steel surface with chemical or laser etching.
Features:
- Complex patterns can be customized (such as logo, geometric patterns).
- Strong sense of three-dimensionality, but too deep will affect the intensity.
- The cost is high, suitable for small-batch high-end products.
Applicable scenes:
Art decoration, customized handle.
6. Anti-fingerprint treatment (AF Coating)
Process principle:
Nano-coating (such as fluorocarbon resin) is applied to the brushed or sandblasted surface to reduce fingerprint and oil adhesion.
Features:
- Easy to clean, suitable for kitchen, bathroom and other humid environments.
- It does not affect the original texture, but the coating may wear out over time.
Applicable scenes:
Household cabinets and electrical appliances.
7. Electroplating (such as black nickel plating, gold plating)
Process principle:
Other metals (black nickel, gold, etc.) are plated on the surface of stainless steel by electrolysis to change the appearance.
Features:
- Strong decorativeness, but the coating may fall off.
- Environmental protection is poor, and it is gradually replaced by PVD.
Applicable scenes:
Retro style, light luxury furniture.
Sum up
There are various surface treatment processes for stainless steel handles, and it is necessary to consider comprehensively when choosing:
1. Use environment (damp, high-frequency contact).
2. Style requirements (modern, retro, industrial style).
3. Budget (PVD and etching cost are relatively high, and drawing and sandblasting are cost-effective).
If it is for home use, brushing + anti-fingerprint processing is recommended; if it is a commercial high-end scene, PVD coating or mirror polishing can improve the texture.
