Stainless Steel Surface Finish
No. 6 Stainless Steel Finish
Specifications, Supply & Technical Guide
No. 6 stainless steel finish is a dull satin surface with lower reflectivity than a No. 4 finish and relatively short linear polishing lines. The traditional route starts from a No. 4 surface and uses Tampico brushing with an abrasive-and-oil medium. For procurement, confirm the actual production route, substrate grade, Ra / Rz requirement, visual sample, finish direction and protection method.
Illustrative No. 6 Surface
NO. 6
Illustrative visual reference only. Traditional No. 6 has a soft, dull satin appearance and short linear polishing lines. Actual appearance can vary with the No. 4 starting surface, Tampico brushing conditions, abrasive medium, oil, equipment and supplier process. Use an approved sample for appearance-critical work.
Finish Definition
What is a No. 6 stainless steel finish?
No. 6 is a dull satin stainless steel finish with lower reflectivity than No. 4 and relatively short, soft linear polishing lines.
The traditional process uses a No. 4 finished sheet as the starting surface and then applies Tampico brushing in an oil-and-abrasive medium to reduce luster and create the characteristic subdued satin appearance.
The finish designation does not by itself define one universal Ra / Rz, gloss value, color tolerance or supplier-specific appearance. For repeatable procurement, combine No. 6 with an approved sample, measurable limits where required and a confirmed production route.
Define these points before approving a No. 6 finish
- Stainless steel grade and product form
- No. 4 starting surface and actual No. 6 finishing route
- Ra / Rz range when measurable roughness is critical
- Reflectivity / gloss or color tolerance where applicable
- Approved sample and finish-limit reference
- Visible side, grain direction and coverage
- Protective film, defect acceptance and cleaning guidance
Finish Evidence
Technical and application evidence for No. 6 finish approval
The page uses only two evidence image positions in addition to the hero visual. Use verified visuals in place of these examples production evidence before technical approval or indexing.
Technical evidence image
Use one combined image showing the real No. 6 short-line satin texture, controlled-light comparison, approved sample and Ra / Rz reading where required.
Application image
Use one real architectural panel, trim or fabricated component where the subdued No. 6 satin appearance is visible.
Supply Specification
No. 6 finish stainless sheet, panel and fabricated-part ordering matrix
Traditional No. 6 may require a custom finishing route, so confirm availability before treating it as a standard stock finish. The table below is an RFQ checklist, not live inventory.
Specify grade, thickness, dimensions, finished side, grain and approved sample.
Add panel orientation, finish matching, reflectivity / tone and protection requirements.
Provide drawings, visible zones and final finishing / repair requirements.
| Supply Form | Required Order Data | No. 6 Surface Control | Processing / Delivery Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 6 Sheet | Grade, thickness, width, length, quantity, tolerance and finished side | No. 6 designation, approved sample, Ra/Rz if required and visual limits | Confirm actual No. 6 process, film / interleave and packaging |
| Architectural Panel | Grade, dimensions, panel layout, quantity and orientation | Control satin tone, reflectivity, line character and panel-to-panel consistency | Use limit samples for large visible installation areas |
| Cut / Formed Blank | Grade, thickness, blank dimensions, drawing and visible surface | Define whether final No. 6 finishing occurs before or after forming | Protect the visible surface through downstream fabrication |
| Fabricated Part | Drawing, grade, dimensions, quantity and finish zones | Define re-finishing, grain direction, sample and final inspection criteria | Confirm whether No. 6 is applied before or after fabrication |
Availability, finishing route, dimensional limits and visual matching capability must be confirmed in the actual quotation.
Finish Selection
No. 6 vs No. 4 vs satin vs No. 7 stainless steel finish
No. 6 belongs on the lower-reflectivity side of the polished-finish range. It should not be treated as a generic synonym for every modern satin finish.
| Finish | Visual Character | Process Character | Selection Logic | Specification Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
No. 6
This Page |
Dull satin, short linear polishing lines | Traditionally Tampico brushed from No. 4 | When subdued satin appearance and low reflectivity are required | Confirm process + sample + measurable limits |
| No. 4 | General-purpose directional polished finish | Mechanical polishing | When a more common directional satin / brushed finish is acceptable | More reflective than traditional No. 6 |
| Generic Satin | Low-gloss decorative appearance | Supplier / project-specific route | When visual target matters more than historical No. 6 process | Do not automatically label generic satin as No. 6 |
| No. 7 | High-luster, highly reflective | Fine grinding plus buffing | When substantially higher reflectivity is required | Very different appearance from No. 6 |
Processing Route
Typical production route for No. 6 stainless steel finish
Traditional No. 6 begins from a No. 4 finished surface, then uses controlled Tampico brushing with an abrasive-and-oil medium to soften the sheen and shorten the visible polishing lines.
Confirm Starting Surface
Verify the grade, dimensions and approved No. 4 starting condition.
Prepare Abrasive Medium
Use the specified abrasive / oil medium or approved supplier process.
Tampico Brushing
Control brushing pressure, direction and coverage to produce the dull satin appearance.
Ra / Rz Verification
Measure the surface when roughness is part of project acceptance.
Visual Match
Check sheen, short linear lines, tone and defects against the approved sample.
Protect & Pack
Protect the final finish from scratches, staining and handling marks before delivery.
Surface Control
Roughness, production route, reflectivity and cleaning guidance
The content matrix requires unique, reviewable finish data. Do not publish invented Ra/Rz, gloss or availability values; use approved production and inspection evidence.
Ra / Rz & Production Route
No. 6 describes a finish route and appearance, but the exact measurable roughness depends on the starting No. 4 surface and brushing process.
- Ra target: specify when required
- Rz target: specify when required
- Measurement method / direction: define before inspection
- Route: confirm No. 4 + Tampico / approved equivalent process
Reflectivity, Color & Defect Acceptance
The defining visual characteristic is a subdued satin sheen with lower reflectivity than No. 4.
- Define acceptable reflectivity / gloss where critical
- Use controlled-light comparison for tone variation
- Set scratch, streak and uneven-brush criteria
- Use an approved limit sample for final acceptance
Grades, Film & Cleaning
Confirm compatible grades and product forms in the RFQ. Protect the satin face and clean it without changing the short linear finish or local sheen.
- Grade / form: confirm by quotation
- Protective film / interleave: specify where compatible
- Clean in the finish direction where practical
- Avoid uncontrolled abrasive rework after final inspection
Application Guidance
Where is No. 6 stainless steel finish used?
No. 6 is traditionally associated with architectural and ornamental work where high luster is undesirable and a soft dull-satin stainless appearance is preferred.
Architectural Wall Panels
Visible stainless panels where a softer, lower-reflectivity finish is preferred.
Exterior Trim
Architectural trim and ornamental components where a subdued satin sheen is desired.
Column Covers
Decorative stainless covers requiring controlled dull-satin panel matching.
Elevator / Interior Panels
Selected interior applications where glare reduction and a traditional satin finish are specified.
Ornamental Metalwork
Custom decorative components where high luster is intentionally avoided.
Restoration / Match Work
Projects requiring reproduction or matching of an existing traditional No. 6 surface.
Standards & Equivalence
How No. 6 finish is specified for stainless steel sheet
ASTM finish terminology identifies No. 6 as a dull satin, Tampico-brushed finish. The purchase order should still define the grade, dimensions, actual supplier route, measurable limits and approved appearance.
- ASTM A480 / A480M — No. 6 No. 6 is a dull satin finish, traditionally Tampico brushed, and may be supplied on one or both sides.
- Traditional process route A No. 4 starting finish is brushed with Tampico fibre in an abrasive-and-oil medium to reduce reflectivity.
- Ra / Rz requirement Add measurable roughness limits, measurement method and direction where the application requires them.
- Visual approval Use an approved sample / limit sample to control sheen, short linear polishing lines, tone and defects.
Do not assume every modern “satin” finish is ASTM No. 6.
Generic satin stainless steel can be produced by different abrasive or brushing routes and may not reproduce the traditional No. 6 appearance or process.
The finish designation does not define chemistry, mechanical properties, dimensions, exact Ra/Rz, gloss or complete defect criteria.
For restoration, architectural or appearance-critical work, approve a representative sample and confirm the supplier's actual No. 6 production route before ordering.
Technical FAQ
No. 6 stainless steel finish FAQ
What is a No. 6 stainless steel finish?
How is No. 6 stainless steel finish produced?
Is No. 6 less reflective than No. 4?
What is the typical No. 6 surface roughness?
Is No. 6 the same as satin stainless steel?
Is No. 6 stainless steel still commonly available?
How should No. 6 stainless steel be cleaned?
What information should be included in a No. 6 stainless steel RFQ?
Related Resources
Continue your stainless steel specification
Technical Evidence & Review
Data sources and document control for this No. 6 finish page
Required evidence sources
- Ra / Rz values should come from actual measurement records when roughness is controlled.
- The No. 4 starting condition and Tampico / approved No. 6 process should match the actual supplier route.
- Reflectivity, tone and visual tolerance should use controlled-light comparison and an approved limit sample.
- 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 No. 6 stainless steel
Send the grade, dimensions and No. 6 finish target together. Because traditional No. 6 may require custom processing, include a reference sample or photo and define measurable or visual acceptance requirements.
- Stainless steel grade
- Sheet, panel, blank or fabricated part
- Thickness × width × length
- Required quantity
- No. 6 finish requirement
- Finished side + grain direction
- Ra / Rz / reflectivity limit if required
- Approved sample + protective film requirement
- Destination, due date and inspection needs