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The brushed finish on the surface of heat exchangers

Release time:

2025-06-25

The brushed finish on the surface of stainless steel heat exchangers is a common metal surface treatment process, which is mainly used to improve appearance, enhance durability and enhance functionality.

What is wire polishing?

Wire polishing is a mechanical process that uses grinding belts, sandpaper or steel wire brushes to perform one-way or cross-grinding on the surface of stainless steel, creating uniform linear textures. This treatment produces a matte effect, with a fine pattern on the surface resembling "brush marks".

It does not alter the chemical composition of stainless steel, but it can enhance the surface properties.

Application on Heat Exchangers

Heat exchangers (such as shell-and-tube or plate heat exchangers) are commonly used in thermal exchange systems (such as HVAC and industrial cooling). Surface texturing is mainly applied for:

Aesthetic enhancement: To provide a modern and upscale appearance for the equipment, suitable for exposed components (such as enclosures or end caps).

Corrosion resistance improvement: The textured surface can reduce the visibility of scratches and fingerprints, and form a micro-layer protection, helping to resist oxidation and chemical corrosion.

Ease of cleaning: The texturing can hide minor scratches and reduce the adhesion of dirt, making it convenient for cleaning in environments with high hygiene requirements (such as the food or pharmaceutical industries).

Main advantages:

Durability: Increases surface hardness and reduces daily wear and tear.

Functionality: In heat exchange scenarios, the textured surface may slightly affect the thermal transfer efficiency, but it is usually used in non-core heat exchange areas and does not affect the overall performance.

Cost-effectiveness: Compared to other surface treatments (such as polishing or spraying), satin finishing is simple, economical, and easy to mass-produce.

Notes for Attention

The surface after wire drawing still requires regular maintenance (such as wiping with a neutral cleaner) to prevent corrosion. For high-performance heat exchangers, the core heat exchange surface is usually kept smooth to maximize thermal efficiency.

This treatment is applicable to common stainless steel materials such as 304 or 316.