News

In modern architectural decoration, household products, commercial space design, and industrial equipment manufacturing, stainless steel plates are widely used due to their excellent corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and aesthetic appeal. Among them, 201 stainless steel, as a relatively cost-effective austenitic stainless steel, occupies a certain market share thanks to its good processability and moderate corrosion resistance. However, as consumers’ requirements for product appearance continue to rise, the surface treatment processes for stainless steel have become increasingly diversified—mirror polishing and titanium coating are two high-end surface treatment methods that have attracted much attention. 1. Mirror Polishing Treatment for 201 Stainless Steel Mirror finishing is a process that involves multiple stages of mechanical polishing, grinding, electrolytic polishing, and other techniques to make the stainless steel surface as bright as a mirror, enabling it to clearly reflect images. Common mirror grades include 6K, 8K, and 10K; the higher the number, the better the surface finish and the stronger the reflective effect. Although the nickel content of 201 stainless steel (approximately 3.5%–5.5%) is lower than that of 304 stainless steel (8%–10.5%), its austenitic structure and good ductility give it excellent polishability. Through professional mechanical polishing and electrolytic polishing processes, 201 stainless steel can fully achieve an 8K or even higher-level mirror effect. Analysis of Mirror Polishing Effects Advantages: Mirror-finished 201 stainless steel has a luxurious and modern appearance, which can effectively enhance the brightness and sense of premium quality of a space. It is often used in scenarios with high visual requirements, such as elevator cabs, mall decorations, display cabinets, and billboards. Disadvantages: 201 stainless steel has relatively weak corrosion resistance. Especially in humid, high-salt, or acidic environments, rust spots or water stain residues are likely to appear on the mirror surface. In addition, the mirror surface is prone to fingerprints and scratches, resulting in high maintenance costs. 2. Vacuum Ion Titanium Coating Treatment for 201 Stainless Steel Titanium coating does not involve plating pure titanium on the surface; instead, it uses physical vapor deposition (PVD) technology in a vacuum environment to deposit a thin film of titanium nitride (TiN) or other metal compounds on the stainless steel surface. This process endows the steel with a variety of colors (such as gold, rose gold, champagne gold, black, and gunmetal) and significantly improves its surface hardness and wear resistance. As a base material, 201 stainless steel can undergo PVD coating after pre-treatments such as surface cleaning and activation. After titanium coating, 201 stainless steel not only features rich colors but also has a surface hardness of over HV1800—far higher than that of the base material—along with excellent wear and scratch resistance. Analysis of Titanium Coating Effects Advantages: Titanium coating greatly expands the application range of 201 stainless steel, transforming it from a single metallic silver material into a decorative material with rich colors. The titanium coating has good chemical stability and is not easy to fade, making it suitable for high-end door handles, bathroom accessories, interior decorative strips, furniture hardware, and other products. Disadvantages: The adhesion of the coating is closely related to the quality of the base material. If the surface of 201 stainless steel contains impurities, air bubbles, or uneven polishing, the coating may suffer from color differences, peeling, and other issues. Additionally, once the titanium coating is severely scratched, it is difficult to repair. 3. Cost Composition Explanation Material Cost: The price of 201 stainless steel itself is approximately 60%–70% of that of 304 stainless steel, which is its most significant cost advantage. Processing Cost: Mirror polishing requires multiple grinding and polishing steps, resulting in high labor and consumable costs; titanium coating, on the other hand, requires expensive vacuum coating equipment and a long process cycle, leading to high equipment depreciation and energy consumption costs. Maintenance Cost: Mirror-finished plates require regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent water stains and rust; titanium-coated plates are easy to maintain, but the repair cost is high once they are damaged. 4. Recommendations for Application Scenarios Indoor Decoration with Limited Budget and Dry Environment: Mirror-finished 201 stainless steel is a suitable choice, such as for mall partitions and indoor feature walls. Projects Pursuing High-End Colors and Long-Term Durability: Titanium-coated 201 stainless steel is recommended, such as for hotel lobby decorations, high-end furniture accessories, and elevator buttons. Outdoor or High-Humidity Environments: The use of 201 stainless steel is not recommended—regardless of the surface treatment, its corrosion resistance is inferior to that of 304 or 316 stainless steel. In conclusion, 201 stainless steel can fully undergo two high-end surface treatments—mirror polishing and titanium coating—to meet diverse decorative needs. Mirror finishing emphasizes luster and modernity with moderate costs; titanium coating excels in color variety, hardness, and durability but comes with higher costs. When making a selection, users should comprehensively consider the usage environment, budget, design style, and maintenance costs, and balance performance and price rationally to achieve the best cost-effectiveness and aesthetic results. For long-term use or high-demand scenarios, it is recommended to prioritize surface treatments on 304 or higher-grade stainless steel materials to ensure the stability and durability of the material.