Material
Stainless Steel
The default for architectural metalwork that has to hold a finish, stay dimensionally true and survive cleaning. Grade 304 covers most interior and sheltered exterior work; 316 adds molybdenum for better resistance in coastal, pool and chemically aggressive environments.
Detail
Specifying stainless steel
| Properties | Corrosion resistant, high strength, holds a polished or directional finish, non-magnetic in the austenitic grades, and the only metal in the MCS range that takes PVD. |
|---|---|
| Where to specify | Profiles and trims, glass housing, lift cladding, kitchen and washroom work, railings, louvers, shingles and any surface that will be touched or cleaned often. |
| Finishes | Mirror, hairline, matte, bead blast, and the full PVD range — gold, rose gold, champagne, black and bronze. |
| Fabrication notes | Work hardens as it is formed, so bend sequence matters. V-grooving is particularly effective here because a tight conventional bend in stainless marks the visible face. |
| 304 vs 316 | 316 costs more and is worth it near salt water or aggressive cleaning regimes. For a dry interior it is usually money that would do more elsewhere in the detail. |
Finishes
Available on stainless steel
Start a project
Specifying stainless steel?
Send the detail and MCS will confirm thickness, finish and whether it forms as drawn.