Polishing of stainless steel
This page introduces the stainless steel polishing process performed by TDC.
Please also refer to the “Polishing service” page for the polishing process performed at TDC.
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TDC stainless steel polishing
TDC excels at polishing all kinds of metals, including stainless steel, through our unique technology development and the polishing technology we have cultivated over the years.
We can handle a wide range of stainless steel polishing, from precision parts and molds that require high precision to mirror polishing of stainless steel surfaces.
For a detailed explanation of TDC’s polishing process, please check the “Polishing service” page.
Please refer to the video below for an introduction to STAVAX material molds, which is a type of chromium alloy stainless tool steel.
Features of TDC’s stainless steel polishing
TDC’s stainless steel polishing has the following strengths and characteristics.
- High-precision polishing technology
TDC’s precision polishing technology enables ultra-high-precision metal precision processing at the micron and nano level by controlling the removal amount. Compared to processing methods such as cutting and grinding, it is possible to handle any shape without applying a load to the object. - Short delivery time and express service available
By owning more than 100 polishing machines, we can achieve short delivery times even for large lots and complex processing. If you are in a hurry, we will also respond to consultation with “express response”. - Small Lot
Please feel free to contact us for small lot orders starting from 1 unit and prototype production. - Owns over 100 abundant processing machines
TDC owns more than 100 polishing machines such as lapping machines and surface grinders. We also have various processing machines such as machining centers and milling machines, so we can handle all kinds of processing. - About half of the polishing equipment is manufactured in-house
About half of the more than 100 polishing machines are made in-house, realizing “low-cost” and “high-quality” manufacturing.
Example of TDC stainless steel polishing
Here are three typical examples of stainless steel polishing at TDC.
Example of polishing stainless steel 1 : Stainless Stell adsorption table
- Material : Stainless Steel (SUS303)
- Size: doia.145x5t
- Processing details: After surface grinding, the surface is finished by lapping.
- Accuracy: flatness 0.001mm (1um) or less, surface roughness Ra1nm or less
Example of polishing stainless steel 2: Stainless steel adsorption stage
- Material: Stainless steel (SUS430)
- Size: 70x70x9t
- Processing details: After surface grinding, the surface is finished by lapping.
- Accuracy: flatness 0.0005mm (0.5um) or less, surface roughness Ra1nm or less
Example of polishing stainless steel 3: Stainless steel suction nozzle
- Material: SUS304
- Size: φ30x15t
- Processing details: After surface grinding, the surface is finished by lapping.
- Accuracy: flatness 0.0002mm (0.2um) or less, surface roughness Ra1nm or less
What is stainless steel?
Stainless steel is a rust-resistant alloy containing more than 50% iron and more than 10.5% chromium.
In addition to corrosion resistance, stainless steel has excellent features such as heat resistance, workability, strength, designability, etc., and easy maintenance is also a major feature.
As society’s concern about the environment increases, it is highly evaluated as a 100% recyclable material, and it is one of the metal materials that is attracting attention in all manufacturing industries.
Type of stainless steel
Stainless steel is classified according to the content of nickel and chromium, and the presence or absence of molybdenum. Stainless steel is represented by the material symbol “SUS”, which stands for “Steel Use Stainless”, and the type is distinguished by the numbers and symbols that follow this SUS.
The specific gravity of general stainless steel is around 7.7 to 8.0, but “SUS304”, which is often selected among stainless steel, has a specific gravity of 7.93, which is almost the same as the weight of iron.
Also, depending on the composition of the material, there are things that stick to magnets, but most stainless steel is not magnetic. Stainless steel is generally a difficult material to process because most of the general processing machines fix the material with magnets.
polishing stainless steel
When we think of stainless steel, we imagine a mirror finish that emits a beautiful luster, but in reality, stainless steel itself is not originally a lustrous material.
Depending on the desired finish and type of stainless steel, the processing process, polishing method, and abrasives used will change.
Types of stainless steel polishing
There are various types of stainless steel polishing.
- Hairline finishing/Hairline Like straight hair, it has a design finish with straight lines in one direction. Applying hairline finishing, it is also possible to perform “cross hairline” by intersecting, and line polishing like a record disk processed into a circular shape.
- Vibration finishing / Vibration polishing Also known as random polishing or permanent hairline, it is characterized by irregular polishing lines. It is a finishing method that changes the brilliance depending on the viewing angle, and it is often used for buildings because of its calm appearance and elegant atmosphere.
- Blast finish/Blast polishing It is a method of polishing by injecting “projection materials” such as glass, sand, minerals, and metals. It is one of the finishing methods widely used in the high-end design field.
- Mirror finish/Mirror polishing It is a processing method to finish the surface of metal like a mirror, and it is a standard method for finishing and polishing stainless steel materials.
Typical methods of stainless steel mirror finish “lapping polishing” and “buffing”
“Lapping polishing”
Lapping polishing refers to a processing method in which a product is placed on a flat disk-shaped table called a lapping machine and pressure is applied from above and below to polish it.
High-precision polishing is possible by selecting abrasive grains and adjusting processing conditions, so it is one of the methods that can handle any mirror finish.
“Buffing”
Buffing is a method of polishing while applying abrasives or wax to a disk-shaped buff made of soft materials such as noodles, wool, and sponge. It can be said that it is an advanced polishing method that requires skilled techniques to achieve high precision, as the amount of force and angle when applying the buff greatly affects the finish.
At TDC, we are able to polish stainless steel according to your request by using various polishing techniques, including lapping polishing.
What is the difference between stainless steel polishing and stainless steel grinding?
Similar to the general difference between “polishing” and “grinding”, the difference is that stainless steel polishing is “polishing the stainless steel surface” and “stainless steel grinding” is literally “shaving the stainless steel surface”.
Simply put, polishing is the work of polishing the surface of stainless steel without changing its shape to achieve precision and finish.
On the other hand, grinding is the process of cutting the stainless steel material itself to change its shape or make it thinner.
Contact TDC for stainless steel polishing and grinding
Stainless steel is generally considered to be difficult to process, but TDC has more than 100 polishing machines such as lapping machines and surface grinders.
In addition, the polishing technology we have accumulated so far enables us to handle polishing of any material and precision.
Please feel free to contact TDC for stainless steel polishing and cutting that other companies have refused.
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