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Ra value on Type 304 Stainless Steel

Due to stress fractures while forming with type 304 stainless steel , I have discovered that the Roughness average is very important in maintaining material integrity while forming. But I do not know much beyond that. Is there a standard RA for Type 304 Stainless Steel? In looking at the part, the backside or non viewed side in the unit, appears to be a rougher finish. Brush strokes appear to be deeper and longer. Am I heading in the right direction. We do not have a profilometer at my facility. And if we did, not knowing even a ballpark figure for the Ra, it wouldn't help me. Can you suggest the approximate RA value?

William Hart Mahek
quality - Florence, South Carolina
2004

Profilometers

on eBay or

Amazon

(affil links)

Normal processed steel from the mill is about 35 RMS or 140 Ra. It is not normal to have two different surface finishes on the same sheet or bar.

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania
2004

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