Metal Finishing on Stainless Steel Sanitary Systems

If your stainless steel processing equipment project requires a high level of finishing, Anderson Dahlen can deliver to your most demanding specification. Processing equipment used by most food, bio, and pharmaceutical producers require a high level of finishing which can be a challenge in stainless steel components. Producing these high-quality finishes with repeatability, every time is a major challenge for most fabrication companies. For sanitary processing equipment, the finish has to meet specifications from Federal, State and Local regulatory agencies. These finishes are also specified so that cleaning can be easy and reliable in the field. A better-than-regulation finish can often save you time and money by reducing your cleaning time and minimizing the expensive recall created by product contamination.

Stainless Steel Finishing

Typical Stainless Steel Mechanical Finishes

Mill Finish A Mill Finish

The basic finish that comes on most stainless steel flat products. Its the starting point of more advanced finishes, with an Ra of more than 100 microinches.

2B Finish

This common stainless steel finish is often used in chemical and food applications, not as stringent as sanitary applications. The typical Ra range of 40 to 15 microinches.

No. 3 Finish

120 grit abrasive paper is typically used for the final step in producing a No. 3 finish. Its Ra is in the range of 36 – 58 microinches.

No. 4 Finish

Often used in more advanced, sanitary applications, a 150 grit abrasive is used. The Ra range is 29 – 40 microinches.

No. 4 Dairy / 4A Finish

For many advanced food processing applications, the number 4 Dairy(or 4A) finish is required. It uses a 180 grit and has a Ra range of 18 – 31 microinches.

Metal Finishing You Can Trust

Anderson Dahlen can deliver high quality metal finishing for any surface finishing requirement and on your most demanding specification.

Request Finishing

Stainless Steel Chemical Finishes for Food, Bio, and Pharmaceutical Applications

Anderson Dahlen has produced stainless steel components to an extremely wide range of finishing specifications. Our customers are continuously impressed with the high quality of our finished products. We can meet any surface finishing requirement with speed, repeatability, and be cost effective.

Bead Blasted

Bead material such as glass or ceramic is used produce a textured surface with a soft satin appearance and low-reflectivity. Bead size can determine the finish appearance and corrosion resistance. Ra greater than 45 can be achieved. Typically used in structural applications and would not meet sanitary food processing finish requirements.

Passivation

This removes excess iron from stainless steel surfaces. Usually and acid-based solution is employed. No metal is actually removed and this has very little impact on the Ra value of the surface.

Pickle Passivation

In this process, the part is soaked in a bath with pickling solution, typically nitric-hydroflouric acid. Metal contamination can be removed as well as removing any scales remaining from heat treating. This can be used for slight improvements in Ra value as well.

Electropolishing

This electro-chemical process that does a controlled removal of surface material. An acid bath and DC current are used in parallel produce a mirror like finish. In some cases, up to a 50% improvement in surface finish Ra can be achieved.

Does Your Part Require Special Finishing?

Our staff of engineers and vast equipment is ready to deliver quality products for your next project.

Tell us About Your Project

Equipment Information

Straight Liner

(1) Pal Industries 96.00in table, 6.00in wide belt
(1) Pal Industries 120.00in table, 6.00in wide belt
(1) Pal Industries 144.00in table, 6.00in wide belt

Buffing Lathe

(1) Arrow 10hp, 2:spindle

Tumbler

(2) Time Saver 20.00in x 16.00in opening

Glass Bead Blast

(1) Empire Abrasive booth, 36.00in x48.00in
(1) Enviro Systems booth, 168.00in W x 240.00in L x 240.00in H

Deburring

(1) Edge deburring 7 gauge capacity

Air Compressors

(2) Quincy 50hp screw-type w/dryer

You guys do spectacular work such perfectly polished seams! Thank you for getting it overnight-ed to me. Anderson Dahlen is first on my list to get the special things done from here on out. Tim, Wonder Works Unlimited

Thank you to you and your team who assisted me during my visit. Both the customer and I were hugely impressed with everything from start to finish. The actual FATs were one of the smoothest that I have experienced in 20 years. I look forward to working with you in the future. Martin Kelly, Thermo Fisher

We want to let you know how much Brian and I appreciate you, Greg, Nathan, and the rest of the Anderson Dahlen team for helping us to complete the test assembly and collect the test data on time during our visit. Your help truly exceeded our expectations. We thank you for showing us your manufacturing plants. Vincent Lee, Plasma-Therm NES

Thank you to Gary and the fabricators who helped us remove the scratch and refinishing our aluminum part. You saved us a ton of time and kept us on track for an on time delivery to our customer. We definitely owe you one! Clint Bitterman, VP-Co Owner of Master Tool & Mfg Inc.

Their willingness to spin a large part well off axis made it possible. Their attention to detail made it a success. Equally praiseworthy is their communication during the manufacturing process, assuring the best part. John Rogers, Engineering Technician Lead, University of Washington Dept. of Aeronautics & Astronautics