Stainless Steel Cladding

Applications of Stainless Steel Cladding

With the desirable properties as corrosion resistance, durability, and an attractive appearance, stainless steel cladding finds various industries.

v  Architectural Cladding: Stainless steel cladding is widely used for covering building exteriors, facades, and wall panels, column covers, roofing and decorative features to achieve both functional and decorative purposes. Besides, stainless steel cladding can be integrated with other materials, such as glass, wood, or stone, to make visually interesting and harmonious architectural designs, and can be more flexible in terms of shapes, patterns, and finishes.

v  Transportation Industry: Due to its excellent combination of strength, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal, stainless steel cladding is used in aircraft components such as fuselage panels, wings, and other structural elements, marine vessels for hulls, decks, and other components to resist corrosion from saltwater exposure, railway components both exteriors and interiors, like doors and handrails, exhaust systems for automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles due to exposure to heat, moisture, and corrosive gases, and other public transportation infrastructure.

v  Oil and Gas Industry: stainless steel cladding can be used for pipelines, storage tanks, heat exchangers, valves and fittings, chemical injection systems, control panels and instrumentation in oil and gas industry. In these applications, the selection of stainless steel grade and cladding method is crucial and depends on factors such as the specific corrosive environment, temperature conditions, and the nature of the substances being processed or transported.

v  Food and Beverage Industry: Stainless steel cladding is extensively used for food processing equipment, such as mixers, conveyors, cutting machines, and grinders, storage tanks and vessels for storing raw materials, ingredients, or finished products, stainless steel-clad pipes and fittings to transport liquids and gases, or ovens, grills, and other cooking equipment in the commercial kitchen. In all these applications, the use of stainless steel cladding helps meet strict regulatory and hygiene standards while ensuring the longevity and reliability of equipment and surfaces in the food and beverage industry. The selection of stainless steel grades and finishes is often tailored to specific industry requirements and the intended use of the equipment or structures.

v  Water Treatment: stainless steel cladding provides a reliable solution for water treatment applications, such as storage tanks, pipes and fittings, desalination plants, chemical dosing systems, water clarifiers and filter housings, offering resistance to corrosion, ease of maintenance, and compliance with regulatory standards.

Apart from above applications, stainless steel cladding is applied to chemical processing, pharmaceutical industry, power generation, medical equipment, fire Protection, where the specific grade of stainless steel and cladding method may vary based on the corrosive environment and the type of treatment process involved.

Specifications for Stainless Steel Cladding

Type: Stainless steel sheet

Standard: GB, ASTM, JIS, DIN

Technique: Cold rolled

SS Grade: 201, 304, 316L

Finish: 2B, BA, Mirror, Brushed, Satin, hairline, Embossed, Bead Blasted.

Color: Champagne, Gold, Rose Glod, etc.

Edge: Mill or Slit

Thickness: 0.8-3mm

Width: Customized

Length: Customized

Application: Exterior & Interior

Packing: PVC film + waterproof paper + standard wooden package

Surface Finishes of Stainless Steel Cladding

The choice of surface finish is often influenced by the intended application, the desired appearance, and considerations such as corrosion resistance and cleanability.

No. 2B Finish

A No. 2B finish stainless steel cladding has a semi-matte finish with a moderate level of reflectivity, suitable for architecture, kitchen equipment, appliances, and decorative elements. Compared to high-end finishes, 2B finish is more economic while still providing a quality appearance.

No. 4 Finish

No. 4 finish is known as satin finish, achieving by using abrasives with a grit of 150-180. You can find No.4 stainless steel cladding for wall panels, architectural features, kitchen appliances, elevator interiors, and decorative elements in various industries.

Bright Annealed Finish

BA finish, characterized by its mirror-like appearance, is suitable for applications where cleanliness is required, such as in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Apart that, It is commonly used in the manufacturing of kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers, where a polished and modern appearance is desired.

Hairline Finish

A hairline finish is commonly used in architectural cladding, such as wall panels, elevator interiors, and decorative features, where a refined and upscale appearance is desired, interior design like furniture, handrails, and fixtures, consumer electronics, appliances, and gadgets, and automotive applications.

No. 8 Finish

No. 8 finish, known as mirror finish, is the highest level of polish and reflectivity achievable on surfaces. Mirror finish cladding is used for  wall panels, column covers, elevator interiors, and decorative features where needs a high-end, luxurious appearance. At the same time, it tends to be more expensive due to labor-intensive and time-consuming process.

Bead Blasted Finish

With matte finish, Bead blasted cladding, chosen for its unique and subdued aesthetic appeal, are used in architectural and interior design as wall panels, facades, and column covers, industrial settings, and various other environments. It is often used for both functional and decorative purposes.

Embossed or Pattern Finish

Embossed or pattern cladding offers a wide range of design options, including raised patterns (embossed), recessed patterns (debossed), and various intricate designs. The raised or recessed patterns create shadows and highlights, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. Normally embossed cladding is customized for unique and tailored solutions for architectural and interior design applications.

How to Apply Stainless Steel Cladding?

There are different methods for applying stainless steel cladding, including roll bonding, explosion bonding, or overlay welding.

Roll Bonding:

Ø  To ensure the surfaces of both the base material and stainless steel sheets clean and free from contaminants

Ø  To cut to required dimensions

Ø  To place steel sheets and the base material in contact with each other

Ø  To press by rollers, creating a metallurgical bond between the two materials

Explosion Bonding:

Ø  To clean and prepare the surfaces

Ø  To cut to desired shapes and sizes

Ø  To stack the sheets and the base material on top of each other

Ø  To force by explosion

Overlay Welding:

Ø  To clean the surfaces of the base material thoroughly

Ø  To prepare the stainless steel overlay by cutting it to the required size

Ø  To weld the stainless steel overlay onto the base material by using appropriate welding skills (such as TIG or MIG welding)

Ø  To ensure proper bonding by controlling parameters (heat input and welding speed)

Ø  To use multiple welding passes if necessary

After cladding, inspection is necessary to ensure the bonding is uniform and meets the required quality standards.