Stainless Steel Surface Finish
1D Stainless Steel Finish
Specifications, Supply & Technical Guide
1D stainless steel finish is a hot-rolled, heat-treated and pickled flat-product condition with the scale removed, leaving a dull, comparatively rough industrial surface. It is commonly specified where a decorative finish is not required or where thicker plate, fabrication or further processing is the main purchasing priority.
Illustrative 1D Surface
1D
Illustrative visual reference only. Actual 1D appearance can vary with grade, thickness, hot-rolling condition, heat treatment, descaling / pickling route and mill practice. Use measurable requirements or an approved sample when appearance matters.
Finish Definition
What is a 1D stainless steel finish?
A 1D stainless steel finish is associated with hot-rolled flat stainless steel that is subsequently heat treated and descaled or pickled. The oxide scale is removed, but the surface remains dull and noticeably rougher than cold-rolled finishes such as 2D or 2B.
The finish is typically chosen for functional or industrial applications where the material grade, thickness, structural or fabrication requirements are more important than a decorative surface.
The designation does not define one exact Ra / Rz, color, reflectivity or defect limit. When those points are important, they should be added separately to the purchase specification and verified against an approved sample.
Specify more than “1D” when surface control matters
- Stainless steel grade and applicable product standard
- Plate / sheet thickness, width, length and tolerances
- Required finish designation: 1D
- Ra / Rz range where roughness is a controlled requirement
- Reflectivity / color tolerance where applicable
- Approved sample or finish-limit reference if appearance matters
- Surface protection, defect acceptance and cleaning requirement
Finish Evidence
Technical and application evidence for 1D finish approval
To keep the page lighter, the evidence requirement is consolidated into only two image positions. Replace these placeholders with real production evidence before final approval.
Technical evidence image
Use one combined image showing the actual 1D surface, sample panel and, where available, an Ra / Rz reading or finish-limit comparison.
Application image
Use one real plate, fabricated component or industrial application photo where the 1D stainless surface is relevant to the supplied product.
Supply Specification
1D finish stainless plate, sheet and cut-part ordering matrix
Use this matrix to define the commercial information required for a usable quotation. Exact availability and dimensional limits should be confirmed against the actual grade, thickness and hot-rolled mill route.
Specify grade, thickness, width, length, tolerance, surface requirement and quantity.
Define dimensions, flatness, visible face and downstream processing requirements.
Provide drawings, tolerances, edge condition and final-surface expectations.
| Supply Form | Required Order Data | 1D Surface Control | Processing / Delivery Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1D Plate | Grade, thickness, width, length, quantity and dimensional tolerance | 1D designation; add Ra/Rz, sample or defect limits when required | Confirm flatness, edge condition, surface protection and packaging |
| 1D Sheet | Grade, thickness, width, length, quantity and visible face | Hot-rolled, heat-treated and pickled surface with agreed acceptance criteria | Confirm cut-to-length and downstream fabrication requirements |
| Cut Blanks | Grade, thickness, blank size, quantity and drawing if applicable | Define whether the original 1D face must remain visible after cutting | Burr, edge, flatness and marking requirements should be stated in the RFQ |
| Fabricated Part | Drawing, grade, dimensions, quantity and final surface requirement | Define whether welding / forming areas will be reworked or further finished | Processing sequence should be agreed before production |
This table describes RFQ information only and does not represent live inventory. Confirm availability and thickness range in the quotation.
Finish Selection
1D vs No. 1 vs 2D vs 2B stainless steel finish
Select the finish according to hot-rolled versus cold-rolled product route, surface roughness, thickness range, fabrication needs and final appearance.
| Finish | Visual Character | Production Character | Selection Logic | Specification Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1D
This Page |
Dull, rough, non-decorative | Hot rolled, heat treated and pickled / descaled | When a functional hot-rolled surface is acceptable | Use EN 1D designation plus project-specific surface limits |
| ASTM No. 1 | Rough, dull hot-rolled plate-type appearance | Hot rolled, annealed / heat treated and descaled | Comparable procurement context under ASTM terminology | Do not call No. 1 and EN 1D automatically identical without checking the governing standard |
| 2D | Dull but smoother than 1D | Cold rolled, heat treated and pickled | When a cold-rolled low-reflectivity finish is required | Product route differs from 1D |
| 2B | Smoother and moderately reflective | Cold rolled with final light skin pass | When a smoother general-purpose mill surface is preferred | Not a substitute where a hot-rolled 1D route is specified |
Processing Capability
Processing routes for 1D stainless steel
1D material is often purchased for functional fabrication, so cutting, forming, welding and any later surface treatment should be defined as part of the RFQ.
Plate Cutting
Define dimensions, tolerances, heat-affected-zone and edge requirements.
Saw / Profile Cutting
Specify drawings, cut geometry and edge condition for prepared blanks.
Bending & Forming
Select the forming route according to grade, thickness and part geometry.
Welding
Define fabrication sequence and any post-weld cleaning or surface treatment requirement.
Surface Protection
Protection is project-specific for 1D; specify it where the visible surface must be preserved.
Further Finishing
Define grinding, blasting, polishing or other downstream finish requirements separately.
Surface Control
Roughness, production route, visual tolerance and cleaning guidance
The content matrix requires unique, reviewable finish data. Do not publish invented Ra/Rz or supply values; replace project-specific placeholders only with approved production or test information.
Ra / Rz & Production Route
1D is a hot-rolled, heat-treated and pickled / descaled surface condition, but the finish designation alone does not create one universal roughness limit.
- Ra target: specify when required
- Rz target: specify when required
- Measurement method: agree before inspection
- Route: hot rolled + heat treated + descaled / pickled
Reflectivity, Color & Defect Acceptance
The 1D surface is generally dull and industrial, but exact tone and texture can vary with mill practice, grade, thickness and descaling route.
- Use controlled-light comparison where appearance matters
- Approve a limit sample if color / texture is critical
- Define scale-removal, stain and handling-mark criteria
- Do not assume batch-to-batch visual identity
Grades, Protection & Cleaning
Confirm compatible grades and dimensional range through the RFQ. Where 1D remains visible, define handling, contamination control and cleaning requirements appropriate to the application.
- Grade / form: confirm by quotation
- Protective film: only if specified and available
- Remove fabrication contamination with an approved method
- Use cleaners suitable for the stainless grade and final service
Application Guidance
Where is 1D stainless steel finish used?
1D is most relevant where hot-rolled product, thicker material or functional fabrication is more important than a smooth decorative surface.
Heavy Fabrication
Plate components and fabricated structures where the surface is functional rather than decorative.
Industrial Equipment
Frames, supports, covers and equipment components specified from hot-rolled stainless plate.
Process Equipment
Project-specific plate and fabricated components where grade, thickness and fabrication control dominate.
Structural Components
Hot-rolled stainless parts used where a decorative cold-rolled surface is unnecessary.
Cut Plate Parts
Profile-cut or machined blanks supplied for later welding, forming or assembly.
Further-Finished Components
Parts where the original 1D surface is an intermediate condition before grinding, blasting or another finish.
Standards & Equivalence
How 1D finish is specified for stainless steel flat products
The 1D designation should be combined with the correct material grade, product standard, dimensions, tolerances, surface acceptance and documentation requirements.
- EN 10088-2 — 1D Hot rolled, heat treated and pickled / descaled, with a scale-free but relatively rough and dull surface.
- ASTM No. 1 comparison ASTM terminology commonly uses No. 1 for a hot-rolled, heat-treated and descaled stainless flat-product finish. Use the governing standard rather than assuming direct equivalence.
- Surface roughness Ra and/or Rz should be added as separate measurable acceptance criteria when the project requires tighter surface control than the finish designation provides.
- Visual acceptance Where tone, scale-removal quality or roughness matters, use an approved sample and agreed inspection conditions.
Do not specify “1D” as the complete material specification.
The finish name does not define chemistry, mechanical properties, thickness tolerance, flatness or inspection documentation.
If roughness, scale-removal quality, color or appearance matters, add measurable criteria or an approved physical sample.
Do not automatically substitute ASTM No. 1 for EN 1D without checking the project standard and required product route.
Technical FAQ
1D stainless steel finish FAQ
What is a 1D stainless steel finish?
Is 1D stainless steel hot rolled or cold rolled?
What is the typical 1D surface roughness?
What is the difference between 1D and 2D stainless steel?
Is EN 1D the same as ASTM No. 1?
Can 1D stainless steel be cut, formed and welded?
Does 1D stainless steel need protective film?
What information should be included in a 1D stainless steel RFQ?
Related Resources
Continue your stainless steel specification
Technical Evidence & Review
Data sources and document control for this 1D finish page
Required evidence sources
- Ra / Rz values should come from an actual measurement record or approved production test.
- The hot-rolled, heat-treatment and pickling / descaling route should match the applicable mill documentation.
- Visual tolerance should use controlled viewing and an approved / limit sample where required.
- Compatible grades, forms, protection and processing claims should match current quotation capability.
- Application images should be real project, production or permission-cleared evidence.
Document control
Technical Quote
Request a technical quote for 1D stainless steel
Send the grade, thickness, dimensions and 1D surface requirements together. Add any cutting, fabrication, roughness, sample or documentation requirements needed for the final quotation.
- Stainless steel grade
- Plate, sheet, blank or fabricated part
- Thickness × width × length
- Required quantity
- EN / project product standard
- 1D finish designation
- Ra / Rz or approved sample if required
- Cutting / fabrication / protection requirement
- Destination, due date and inspection needs