Maintaining a balance between fingerprint resistance and wear resistance after brushing the surface of a stainless steel plate requires coordinated optimization from three aspects: material properties, surface treatment process, and daily maintenance. The brushing process creates uniform straight or non-linear textures on the stainless steel surface through mechanical friction. While this micro-shaping does not change the overall thickness, it exposes the micropores of the metal substrate, increasing the risk of fingerprint and oil adhesion. Simultaneously, the increased surface roughness may reduce wear resistance. Therefore, a functional balance needs to be achieved through composite coating technology, process parameter control, and adaptation to usage scenarios.
The core of fingerprint resistance lies in surface energy control. After traditional brushing, the stainless steel surface, due to its high metal activity, easily absorbs oil and sweat from fingerprints, forming visible marks. Modern processes significantly reduce surface energy by coating the brushed surface with a fluorine- or silicon-containing nano-coating. These coatings, through hydrophobic and oleophobic mechanisms, cause fingerprints to "fog" upon contact rather than appear as obvious oil stains, which can be removed by wiping with a damp cloth. For example, silica-based nano-coatings can form transparent films only tens of nanometers thick, maintaining the visual effect of brushed texture while imparting self-cleaning properties. Furthermore, the coating has high hardness, resisting everyday friction.
Improving wear resistance requires balancing coating adhesion and surface hardness. While brushing itself increases substrate hardness by refining grains, increased surface roughness can accelerate coating wear. Therefore, a multi-layer composite coating structure is necessary: the bottom layer is a metal or ceramic ion plating layer, forming a dense protective layer through physical vapor deposition (PVD) to enhance scratch resistance; the top layer is a fluorine- or silicon-based organic coating, providing oleophobic and hydrophobic properties. This structure ensures strong adhesion between the coating and the substrate while reducing frictional damage through the elastic buffering of the surface material. For example, a composite process of PVD titanium plating and nano-coatings can achieve a surface hardness of 6H or higher while maintaining fingerprint resistance.
Precise control of process parameters is crucial for balancing fingerprint resistance and wear resistance. In brushing, sandpaper grit size, pressure, and speed directly affect surface roughness. Coarse-grained sandpaper (e.g., 120-240 grit) can quickly remove the oxide layer, but it leaves deeper scratches, increasing the difficulty of coating coverage. Fine-grained sandpaper (e.g., 400-800 grit) can create a fine texture, but it may reduce surface hardness. Therefore, a two-step method of "coarse brushing + fine brushing" is required: first, use coarse sandpaper for initial shaping, and then use fine sandpaper to refine the surface. Furthermore, the brushing direction should be consistent with the main friction direction in the usage scenario to disperse stress and reduce localized wear.
The choice of coating application process is equally important. Spraying, dip coating, or roller coating processes can affect coating uniformity and thickness. When applying nano-coatings, it is necessary to control the solution concentration and curing conditions: too low a concentration results in a thin coating with poor fingerprint resistance; too high a concentration may clog the brushed texture, affecting aesthetics. The curing temperature and time need to be adjusted according to the coating type. For example, fluorinated coatings need to be cured at 150-200℃ for 30 minutes to ensure complete molecular cross-linking and improve wear resistance.
Daily maintenance strategies can extend the functional balance effect. Avoid using strong acid or alkali cleaners, such as hydrochloric acid or bleach, as these substances can damage the coating structure and reduce its anti-fingerprint performance. It is recommended to use a neutral cleaner with a soft cloth to wipe, which can remove stains without scratching the surface. For high-frequency contact areas, such as door handles or elevator buttons, apply a special protective wax regularly to form a temporary lubricating layer and reduce friction damage.
The adaptability to the application scenario is the ultimate test of functional balance. In public places, such as shopping mall handrails or hospital equipment, wear resistance should be prioritized. A composite process of PVD coating and nano-coating should be chosen, with the coating thickness controlled at 5-10 micrometers to withstand high-frequency friction. In home environments, such as kitchen appliances or furniture decorations, fingerprint resistance can be emphasized, using a single-layer nano-coating with a thickness of 2-3 micrometers, balancing aesthetics and ease of cleaning.
Through a deep integration of materials science, process engineering, and application scenarios, the brushed finish on a stainless steel plate achieves a long-term balance between fingerprint resistance and wear resistance while maintaining a metallic texture. This balance depends not only on innovation in coating technology, but also on systematic optimization of wire drawing processes, coating application and maintenance strategies to meet functional requirements in different scenarios.
