Stainless Steel Surface Finish
BA Stainless Steel Finish
Specifications, Supply & Technical Guide
BA stainless steel finish is a cold-rolled stainless surface that is bright annealed in a controlled atmosphere, leaving a smooth, bright reflective appearance. 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 BA Surface
BA
Illustrative visual reference only. Actual BA 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 BA stainless steel finish?
A BA stainless steel finish is associated with cold-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 “BA” when surface control matters
- Stainless steel grade and applicable product standard
- Plate / sheet thickness, width, length and tolerances
- Required finish designation: BA
- 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 BA 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 BA 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 BA stainless surface is relevant to the supplied product.
Supply Specification
BA 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 cold-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 | BA Surface Control | Processing / Delivery Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA Plate | Grade, thickness, width, length, quantity and dimensional tolerance | BA designation; add Ra/Rz, sample or defect limits when required | Confirm flatness, edge condition, surface protection and packaging |
| BA Sheet | Grade, thickness, width, length, quantity and visible face | Cold Rolled + Bright Annealed 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 BA 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
BA vs No. 1 vs 2D vs 2B stainless steel finish
Select the finish according to cold-rolled versus cold-rolled product route, surface roughness, thickness range, fabrication needs and final appearance.
| Finish | Visual Character | Production Character | Selection Logic | Specification Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BA
This Page |
Bright Reflective Surface | Cold Rolled, heat treated and pickled / descaled | When a smooth bright reflective surface is required | Use EN BA designation plus project-specific surface limits |
| ASTM No. 1 | A smooth bright reflective surface | Cold Rolled, annealed / heat treated and descaled | Comparable procurement context under ASTM terminology | Do not call No. 1 and EN BA automatically identical without checking the governing standard |
| 2D | Dull but smoother than BA | Cold rolled, heat treated and pickled | When a cold-rolled low-reflectivity finish is required | Product route differs from BA |
| 2B | Smoother and moderately reflective | Cold rolled with final light skin pass | When a smoother general-purpose mill surface is preferred | Do not substitute another finish where a BA surface is specified |
Processing Capability
Processing routes for BA stainless steel
BA 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 BA; 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
BA is a Cold Rolled + Bright Annealed / 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: Cold Rolled + heat treated + descaled / pickled
Reflectivity, Color & Defect Acceptance
The BA surface is a smooth bright surface produced by controlled bright annealing, 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 BA 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 BA stainless steel finish used?
BA is most relevant where cold-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 cold-rolled stainless plate.
Process Equipment
Project-specific plate and fabricated components where grade, thickness and fabrication control dominate.
Structural Components
cold-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 BA surface is an intermediate condition before grinding, blasting or another finish.
Standards & Equivalence
How BA finish is specified for stainless steel flat products
The BA designation should be combined with the correct material grade, product standard, dimensions, tolerances, surface acceptance and documentation requirements.
- EN 10088-2 — BA Cold 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 cold-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 “BA” 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 BA without checking the project standard and required product route.
Technical FAQ
BA stainless steel finish FAQ
What is a BA stainless steel finish?
Is BA stainless steel Cold Rolled or cold rolled?
What is the typical BA surface roughness?
What is the difference between BA and 2D stainless steel?
Is EN BA the same as ASTM No. 1?
Can BA stainless steel be cut, formed and welded?
Does BA stainless steel need protective film?
What information should be included in a BA stainless steel RFQ?
Related Resources
Continue your stainless steel specification
Technical Evidence & Review
Data sources and document control for this BA finish page
Required evidence sources
- Ra / Rz values should come from an actual measurement record or approved production test.
- The cold-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 BA stainless steel
Send the grade, thickness, dimensions and BA 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
- BA finish designation
- Ra / Rz or approved sample if required
- Cutting / fabrication / protection requirement
- Destination, due date and inspection needs
Specification and purchasing note
Current finish designation, product form, dimensions, tolerances, applicable standard, MOQ, lead time, stock, certificates and pricing are confirmed per enquiry. Send your specification or purchasing request to the website technical team.