Coloured Stainless Steel – Unique, Premium, Durable
engraving metal Laser cutting stainless steel
Video Description
Colored stainless steel combines the rugged durability of stainless steel with a range of attractive colours, offering a unique solution for those who refuse to compromise between beauty and strength.
Video Transcript
Hi, I’m Luke from O’Brien Engineering, and this is Material Mondays, where we focus on one of our speciality materials from our extensive range.
Today, we’re taking a closer look at coloured stainless steel. This can be purchased as a sheet, or we can process it in-house – cutting and folding to create a custom product tailored to your specific requirements.
It’s called coloured stainless because of the unique manufacturing process used to achieve its finish. This process, known as the interference of light, is aided by chemicals to create brilliant gold, copper, black, and a variety of other colours.
Coloured stainless is unique because it combines an aesthetic finish with the durability and corrosion resistance of stainless steel, making it suitable for outdoor or harsh environments. When compared to materials like brass, coloured stainless is significantly heavier, giving it a premium feel with added substance.
One of the best applications for this material is signage. A laser-cut design, mounted with stand-offs on a wall, is particularly eye-catching.
Here, we have brushed gold stainless, 2mm thick. This has been laser cut in-house using our CO₂ laser. You can see the crisp, clean cut lines with no damage to the coating, making it perfect for engraving, signage, or decorative applications.
For this particular piece, we have also engraved it using a CO₂ laser with LaserBond thermal marking spray. This process creates a strong, dark contrast against the beautiful brushed gold finish – an excellent alternative to a traditional brass plaque while offering the superior properties of stainless steel.
One of the key advantages of coloured stainless is that it’s made from marine-grade stainless steel (or 304-grade, depending on the application). This means it retains all the versatility of stainless steel – it folds well, cuts brilliantly with a clean edge, and allows for welding or the addition of rear-mounted studs. It’s also highly compatible with thermal marking sprays like LaserBond.
Overall, coloured stainless is a versatile and durable material, providing the premium aesthetic of coloured metals without some of the common challenges they present.
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