A world of possibilitiesOutokumpu Surface Finishes

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We offer a wide range of surface finishes for enhanced product appeal and functional applications. Whether straight from the mill or further processed by our service centres, our products come with industry-leading quality. Choosing the surface finish is an integral part of the design process – read on to learn more.

A world of possibilities

Surface finishes for all industries

Standard mill finishes

Service centre finishes

A leader in stainless. Globally.

Decorative finishes

Welcome to a world of possibilities

Surface finish – appeal, function and more!

From the eye-catching shapes on the cladding of high-rise buildings to the shiny surfaces of household appliances, surface finish plays an important role in enhancing product appeal. In other applications, for example in food processing, surface finish has the much more practical role of ensuring process hygiene – and therefore the safe arrival of food on the table.

Activating your ideas

• Wide range of surface finishes straight from the mill

• Extensive surface finishing capabilities in our service centers

• Prefabrication options

• Testing & material selection advice

• Industry-leading technical support

Choosing the right surface finish can often involve consideration not only of the desired surface appear-ance, but also other requirements such as corrosion resistance, hygiene and fabrication. The process of making – and choosing – the right surface finish is art based on science, and it is both in the art and the science that we excel. Let us activate your ideas.

Case highlights

Shining with stainless

The BMW Welt building in Munich delivers the ultimate showroom experience – thanks to Outokumpu stainless steel. See page 9.

Quality in transport

World-leading supplier of passenger trains relies on Outokumpu stainless steels – also for a graffiti-resistant surface. See page 9.

Smoothness that makes the difference

More than half of the stainless steel chemical tankers in service today have been built using Outokumpu hot rolled plate. See page 14.

Brushed to perfection

Cooker hood manu- facturer relies on Outokumpu stainless steel – with special finishing provided by our service centres.See page 15.

Powered by the sun

Today’s thin-film solar cells are made using stainless steel of exceptional flatness and surface quality.See page 16.

Stainless steel is the material of the future. It is strong, hygienic, 100% recyclable and can be worked into a world of applications. Outokumpu finishes – whether matt, bright, mirror-like or decorative – offer an important source of competitive advantage across a wide spectrum of industries.

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We have over the decades gained distinct expertise in a diverse range of industries and have streamlined our organisation to make sure this expertise is being put to use for your benefit. This means that we are here to help you with everything from grade selection advice and technical sup-port through to choosing and delivering the right surface finish for your needs – across a wide spectrum of applications.

Plenty of possibilities

Considering the many operations that can be performed on the surface of stainless steel, there is plenty of room for creativity in choosing a surface finish best suited to your needs. Finishes appealing to the eye are important in architecture and household appliances, while smooth finishes are valued especially in food processing and simi-lar applications due to their hygiene and easy cleaning.

Global expertise. Surface finishes for all industries.

In some cases the production route that produces the surface finish also raises the mechanical strength of the steel. There are plenty of possibilities – let us help you find the optimal surface finish for your needs.

Mill finishes – efficiency and more

In many cases one of our standard mill finishes is perfect for the specified use. For example, if your needs involve railway cars or structural material for bridges, it might simply be enough to choose one of our mill finishes – for example 2B, 2BB or 2E. We can deliver these to you either directly from our mills or from our stock & process locations with minimal lead times – for optimised production flow and efficiency.

Custom finishes from our service centres

Many stainless steel applications – especially decora-tive ones – require a special surface finish that cannot

to be brighter than austenitic counterparts. Our technical staff are available to assist you in selecting the right material and surface finish for your needs.

be delivered straight from the mill. Our service centres not only have extensive surface finishing capabilities, but also the expertise to provide you with the surface finish that is tailored to your needs. This involves taking into account all the relevant requirements, such as appearance, surface roughness, corrosion resistance etc., with deliveries also possible in small batches.

Making the right choice

The kind of surface finish you choose affects the proper-ties of the stainless steel and it is therefore important that both the stainless steel grade and surface finish are chosen with care. It should be borne in mind that a smoother surface roughness may assist the corrosion resistance, while a temper rolled finish (2H) not only produces a special surface, but also enhances the mate-rial’s mechanical properties. Moreover, the same surface finish on different stainless steel types might produce differing appearances, and especially ferritic steels tend

Outokumpu in a nutshell

• International stainless steel company

• Some 7,500 employees in more than 30 countries

• Serving customers in a wide range of industries

• Service centres in the key markets

• Widely regarded as a leader in sustainability & technical support

• Aiming to be the undisputed no. 1 in stainless

4N Wet ground finishes are smooth with a satin-like look, which provides for easy cleaning. Typical uses include inte-rior surfaces and household appliances.

DB Dry brushed finishes are not only pleasing to the eye but also easy to clean, which has made them especially popular for household appliances and many applications seeking a decorative effect.

2BB This finish, which is available for grade Outokumpu 4016, is perfect for applications where a bright surface combined with good mechanical properties are a key issue.

2B A cold rolled, heat treated, pickled, skin passed finish. The process includes a final light rolling using highly polished rolls to give the surface a smooth, reflective, grey lustre. The finish is used as it is in many applications and is the basis for most polished and brushed finishes.

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In many cases you will find the finish you need straight from one of our mills. The benefit is that you need not embark upon additional surface finishing activities. Our mill offerings include the major finishes 1D, 2E, 2B, 2R and 2H for the main stainless steel grades.

Straight from the mill is convenient

Our mills produce for your convenience a wide variety of stainless steel grades in the main surface finish designa-tions. These are used by our customers in a world of applications. Getting the right kind of surface finish, for example a smooth, matt or reflective look, can deliver true benefits for your particular application – whether this involves aesthetics, hygiene or improved product functionality.

All you need. Ready-for-use finishes straight from the mill.

Smooth, bright finishes

We offer the smooth, bright and mirror-like finishes 2R and 2BB for applications where either high lustre or an exceptionally hygienic surface is required. The 2R finish is used in applications requiring high image clarity or an ultra-smooth surface that is easy to clean. The 2BB finish is used in applications where a bright surface combined with good mechanical properties are a key issue. Typical 2BB applications are washing machine drums, inside parts of dishwashing machines etc. Thanks to low surface roughness, the 2BB finish is a perfect material for further polishing, while the smooth surface makes it both hygienic and easy to clean.

Duplex – weight savings and more

Our Duplex stainless steel grades are fast making their mark in diverse applications. This is due not only be-cause of the increased corrosion resistance offered by duplex grades, but also their much higher mechanical strength, often allowing thinner material to be speci-fied, leading to considerable savings in weight and cost. Our duplex grades are available with 1D and 2E finishes. A few selected duplex grades are available with 2B and 2R finishes.

The workhorse finish 2E

The finish 2E is a general-purpose finish offering ad- vantages in a wide variety of applications from tube manufacturing to bridge construction. Outokumpu offers 2E in unique versions depending on the produc- tion route. Outokumpu VKS and RAPTM 2E involve mechanical descaling by shot blasting, whereas Outokumpu 2E utilises either mechanical descaling by shotblasting or mechanical descaling by brushing – with each process creating its own distinct proper-ties. Mechanical descaling by brushing produces a much smoother finish.

Outokumpu VKS and RAPTM 2E are shotblasted finishes with cold band tolerances and less roughness than a 1D finish. This has made the finish especially popular among tube manufacturers, for example, because the low roughness causes less wear to their machinery than normal 1D finishes.

Outokumpu 2E with a brushed and directional finish is significantly smoother than 1D. Ra values are in a similar range as for the 2B finish. In-line brushing in the pickling line provides good cleanability and the finish is easy to polish due to low surface roughness.

Outokumpu RAPTM 2E is available in the standard stainless steel grades and the brushed 2E is available in the special grades. Outokumpu’s other 2E products are available in both the standard grades and most special grades.

How to specify surface appearance?

Specifying the surface appearance of stainless steel can be an intricate process. This is partly because surface finish standards define the production process, rather than the surface finish itself (see table 1). The result is that the surface appearance of material having the same designation (e.g. BA, 2B or 2E) can vary con-siderably between mills. This applies equally to the European (EN) and American (ASTM) standards.

Further finishing is performed by our service centres. The service centres can supply a surface with a specific roughness, Ra, defined as the average variation of the surface level from a centre line. Other ways to specify a finish, such as grit or gloss, may also be possible. Our service centres can sometimes also provide a verification sample.

1D A hot rolled, heat treated and pickled finish. The surface is slightly coarse with very low reflectivity. It is primarily used for non-decorative purposes.

2E Our brushed 2E surface is a slightly directional finish. It is much smoother than shot-blasted finishes and can re-place the standard cold rolled finish 2B in many applications where good cleanability is an advantage. Our brushed 2E surface is available in thickness up to 3 mm for a selection of special grades.

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case:BMWWelt,Munich Shining with stainless

The BMW Welt, located between Munich’s Olympic Park and the BMW headquarters, is designed to pro- vide visitors with the ultimate automobile experience. The building’s dominating feature is a glass-and-steel structure that supports a cloud-like roof. Here perfo-rated stainless steel panels act as both an aesthetic and a functional element, providing the desired impres-sions as well as sun protection. Stainless steel is also the dominating facade material on the upper sections of the building, and it is used in indoor cladding. The stainless steel grades chosen were Outokumpu 4404 for exterior surfaces and Outokumpu 4301 for indoor cladding. All material was delivered in the 2B surface finish condition. It was shotblasted prior to fabrication into cladding elements. The final impres-sion was ensured by strict quality requirements with regard to surface defects and flatness.

case:ansaldoBreda,usa Quality in transport

Only the best will do for Ansaldo Breda, a world- leading supplier of passenger trains. The company chose a comprehensive package of stainless steel grade Outokumpu 4318 for the metro car carriages it supplied to Los Angeles and San Francisco. Coil with finish 2B and temper-rolled 2H were chosen to provide strength, durability and formability, allowing for a lightweight design and therefore life- cycle efficiency for the operators. Satinlike 4N was chosen for outer areas because the finish hides surface damages during service and graffiti doesn’t stick easily to the surface – making it a perfect fit for metro car-riages. Stainless steel is the standard material for rail applications in the U.S. primarily due to its durability and minimal maintenance requirement.

taBle1. Outokumpu offering of standard finishes typically available straight from the mills The surface finish is defined by the process route as indicated.

StandardEN/ASTM*

Outokumpuproduct Type of process route Surface finish Notes

Hot Rolled

1D 1 1D Hot rolled, heat treated, (shot blasted) and pickled. Rough and dull.

Standard for most steel types to ensure good corrosion resistance; also common finish for further processing.

Semi-cold Rolled

2E 1 RAP™2EVKS®

Cold rolled, heat treated, mechanically descaled followed by pickling.

Rough and dull.

A relatively rough shotblasted finish with cold band tolerances and less roughness than a 1D finish.

Cold Rolled

2E 1 2ECold rolled, heat treated, mechanically descaled followed by pickling.

Rough and dull when shot blasting is used for descaling. Smooth and directional finish when brushing is used (only Nyby).

Descaling through brushing gives a finish that is directional and significantly smooth-er than 1D.

2D 2D 2D Cold rolled, heat treated, pickled. Smooth. Good ductility; surface not as smooth as

2B or 2R.

2B 2B 2B

Cold rolled, heat treated, pickled, skin passed.(Skinpassing may be by tensionleveling.)

Smoother than 2D. Smooth surface with low lustre.

2B 2B 2BB Cold rolled, heat treated, bright pickled, skin passed. Smooth and reflective.

Smoother and brighter than 2B, higher image clarity. Available on ferritic grades, only.

2R BA 2R Cold rolled, bright annealed. Smooth, bright, reflective.

Smooth, mirror-like surface with high image clarity.

2H TR 2H Work hardened. Bright. Cold worked by rolling to obtain higher strength level.

* Note: surface roughness value, or surface sample, is required to verify exact specification.

Courtesy of AnsaldoBreda.

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When the surface qualities you seek are not available on the stainless steels we produce straight from the mills, our service centres offer wide capabilities to put the finishing touch on your steel. With actions such as grinding, brushing and polishing, we provide the full range of surface finishes – from the decorative finishes used in architectural ap-plications through to the smooth surfaces required in restaurant kitchen equipment.

Offering you the entire palette

All our operations are geared towards meeting your stainless steel needs from one source. This means that we offer everything from grade selection advice through to the delivery of world-class stainless steel and a surface finish that meets your particular require-ments. Our service centres, which are located in the

key markets, can perform a wide range of surface finishing activities – covering the entire artist’s palette from grinding and polishing through to innovative decorative finishes. Our service centres tailor surface finishes according to your needs.

Polished and brushed finishes

Polished and brushed finishes are some of the most widely used decorative stainless steel surfaces. Typical operations that we perform for your benefit are wet grinding, dry polishing, dry brushing or a combination of polishing and brushing. Our brushed finishes are highly appreciated in catering and similar applications due to the exceptionally smooth finish that is generated. Our polished finishes are typically somewhat rougher, but retain their easy clean capability, thereby ensuring minimum foothold for dirt, bacteria and corrosive substances.

Expanding horizons. Special finishes for your needs.

What are polishing, brushing and grinding?

The terms polishing, brushing and grinding refer to the removal of a layer of metal from the surface by a cutting or abrading action. Grinding can be under-stood as polishing with significant material removal, often by some kind of ‘sanding paper’, while brushing generally refers to polishing without significant mate-rial removal, as with some kind of abrasive sponge. In principle an infinite number of surface finishes can be produced, with the finish dependant on a number of factors – for example the coarseness (grit) of the abra-sive material used.

Operations such as dry grinding followed by brushing are typical operations for us. Our service centres have extensive capabilities to perform grinding, brushing & polishing as well as other prefabrication activities.

EN and ASTM standards are different

The codes for stainless steel surface finishes given in the EN and ASTM standards are different from each other. Tables 2 and 3 describe how the EN and ASTM standards define some of the surfaces typically offered.

Taking a closer look – 2B vs. DB

Surface finish is also apparent in the micro-structure. Shown here are the finishes 2B and DB (dry brushed) as indicated. Typical Ra values for 2B are 0.10 - 1.00 µm, and for DB 0.10 – 0.25 µm.

1 EN 10088-2:2005, Stainless steels. Part 2: Technical delivery conditions for sheet/plate and strip for general purposes.

2 ASTM A 480/A 480M – 09, Standard Specification for General Requirements for Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat- Resisting Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip.

Abbrev-iation

Type of process routeNotes

2GGroundGrade of grit or surface roughness can be specified. Unidirectional texture, not very reflective.

2J

Brushed or dull polishedGrade of brush or polishing belt or surface roughness can be specified. Unidirectional texture, not very reflective.

2K

Satin polishAdditional specific requirements to a “J” type finish, in order to achieve adequate corrosion resistance for marine and external architectural applications. Transverse Ra < 0,5 μm with clean cut surface finish.

2P

Bright polished This finish is achieved by mechanical polishing. The process or surface roughness can be specified. It is a non-directional finish, reflective with high degree of image clarity.

No. DescriptionNotes

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Intermediate polished finishThis is a linearly textured finish that may be produced by either mechanical polishing or rolling. Average surface roughness (Ra) may generally be up to 40 micro-inches. A skilled operator can generally blend this finish.

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General purpose polished finishThis is a linearly textured finish that may be produced by either mechanical polishing or rolling. Average surface roughness (Ra) may generally be up to 25 micro-inches. A skilled operator can generally blend this finish. There may also be overlap in measurements of surface roughness for both No. 3 and No. 4 finishes.

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Dull satin finishThis finish has a soft, satin appearance and has a reflectivity that is lower than a No. 4 finish. It is used for architectural applications and ornamentation where high luster is undesirable; it is also used effectively to contrast with brighter finishes.

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Smooth reflective finishThis finish is typically produced by polishing with successively finer grit abrasives, then buffing. Typically, very faint buff of polish lines may still be visible on the final product. Blending after part assembly may be done with buffing.

taBle2. Polished and brushed finishes given in EN 10088-2:2005.1

taBle3. Polished and brushed finishes given in ASTM A 480/A 480M – 09.2

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Landmarks – a testament to our many capabilities

Outokumpu has supplied a range of grades and surface finishes for many famous landmarks around the world. Our success in this area derives not just from our abil-ity to deliver surface appearances and textures that meet the visions of the artists, but also stainless steels that meet the most exacting technical requirements, all the way from tailored dimensions and levels of flatness through to stainless steel grades with specialised alloy content. The landmarks – from the Trinigon in Nor-way to the Cloud Gate in Chicago – are a testament to our many capabilities as a world-leader in stainless steel.

Wet ground finish 4N

The finish 4N has a satin-like look and a smoothness that provides for both easy cleaning and good corro-sion resistance. The surface is exceptionally well suited for decorative interior surfaces, household appliances, metro car carriages and many other applications. The finish is typically available in the standard austenitic and ferritic grades.

Dry brushed finish DB

Dry brushed finishes are not only pleasing to the eye but also easy to clean, which has made them increasingly popular in a wide variety of applications from interior decoration to furniture and household appliances. Outokumpu dry brushed finishes are known for their consistently high quality and are typically available in ferritic grades and the standard austenitic grades.

courtesyofespenGangvik.

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case:shaMan’shaven,Finland

Material worthy of a national epic

On a Helsinki island there is a glossy stainless steel surface that reflects the sea, functioning as the roof of a monument that echoes the mythology of Finland’s national epic, the Kalevala. The roof is suggestive of a cracking egg in homage to the Kalevala’s story of the Earth’s creation.

The use of stainless steel grade Outokumpu 4404 allowed for the use of a very thin material to create the complex shape. The bright-annealed surface (BA), which is offered by Outokumpu for thin strip prod-ucts, not only blends easily with other elements, but also reflects the surroundings in a manner worthy of this testament to ecology, mythology and longevity.

case:novy,BelGiuM

Brushed to perfection

Belgian cookerhood manufacturer Novy knows that success is built around superior products. Key com-ponents in this are stainless steel grades Outokumpu 4301 and 4307 with brushed finishes provided by Outokumpu service centres. The finishes are the result of long-term cooperation and mutual product develop-ment, with Outokumpu not only delivering higher quality than competitors, but also sourcing stability in the face of sharply fluctuating markets. Especially popular with Novy has been our unique ‘cork polish-ing’, which is a dry grinding process that reproduces the ‘Scotch Brite’ finish with remarkable quality advantages.

case:FinBetaspa,italy

Smoothness that makes the difference

Finbeta’s chemical tankers have been tasked with the important role of being able to handle cargoes as in-compatible as inorganic acids and edible oils.

This has been achieved by the use of duplex grade Outokumpu 2205 hot-rolled plate, prefabricated and prepolished to an aim Ra of 2.2 μm. The benefit is not just easy cleaning, but also fast port turnarounds. More than half of the stainless steel chemical tankers in service today have been built using Outokumpu hot rolled plate.

case:triniGon,norWay

Reflections of freedom

The 18-metre high National Monument of Freedom, located in Narvik, Norway, is a symbol for the im-portance of the freedom of speech and autonomy for all people. After hard winds destroyed the monu-ment, Outokumpu responded quickly by delivering 33 plates in different sizes.

The material chosen for the monument was 6 mm thick Outokumpu 4404 with 2B surface, which was polished by Outokumpu to a mirror-like finish with high demands on reflection, cutting tolerances and flatness. As noted by the artist, the memorial fea-tures “the brightest 6 mm steel polished plates in the world; true mirror quality.”

courtesytoespenGangvik.

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Outokumpu service centres

• Offering a wide range of surface finishing services

• Strong capabilities for grinding, brushing and polishing

• Surface finishing can be combined with other prefabrication activities

• Located in key markets including UK, Germany, Italy and Australia

Outokumpu is one of the largest producers of stainless steel and is widely recognised as a world leader in technical support and innovation. Being located near to our customers globally makes it possible to deliver service on a local level. Our in-depth and long-term cooperation with companies in several industrial segments ensures we have experts focused exclusively on the challenges of your industry.

A leader in stainless. Globally.

case:MidsuMMer,sWeden

Powered by the sun

Midsummer of Sweden has developed a unique pro- cess for manufacturing thin-film solar cells for use in homes, yachts and other off-grid applications. The stainless steel used for the substrate of these cells has been ferritic grade Outokumpu 4016 with a bright annealed surface finish, which was chosen to meet the high requirements of the application at a cost acceptable to Midsummer’s customers. Producing such a thin strip product with high demands on flatness and surface quality is quite a technical challenge and close cooperation with Outokumpu played a key role in es-tablishing the best material for the purpose.

case:helix,sinGapore

Iconic reverberations

The Helix bridge, located in Singapore’s Downtown Core, features two stainless steel helixes spiralling around each other for the span of the 280-metre-long structure. Inspired by the structure of DNA, the bridge symbolizes life, continuity, renewal and growth, and offers the city’s inhabitants a convenient passage between the city’s Marina Centre and Marina South in the Bayfront area.

The inner spiral of the double helix is used to support fritted-glass and stainless steel mesh canopies that pro-vide shading. The stainless steel surfaces provide strik-ing nighttime illumination, as they reflect special lights built into the bridge and programmed to enhance the design. The stainless steel grade chosen for the pipes and plates was duplex Outokumpu 2205, delivered in the 2E mill finish condition, with final bead blasting and polishing in Singapore. It was of utmost impor-tance that all products were supplied without critical surface imperfections.

Courtesy of Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore.

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Decorative finishes

Our range of decorative finishes covers a wide range of applications from lifts, doors and rooftops through to sinks and countertops, refrigerators and freezers, as well as architectural projects. These surfaces are known for their high resistance to wear, and, in spite of the deco processing, it is still possible to use the material in many forming applications. Outokumpu deco finishes are available in the standard stainless

Outokumpu offers decorative finishes for a wide variety of purposes – both standard and customised. Typical uses include architecture and lifts as well as street furniture. We have extensive experience in cooperating with architects, builders and other parties for the creation of unique finishes.

The elements of good design. Outokumpu decorative finishes.

steel grades, with grades for more corrosive require-ments also available upon request. Our new finishes include DecoMatt and DecoLinen.

Fingerprint resistant surfaces

Stainless steel is a remarkably hygienic and easy-to-clean material and in some cases the good properties can be enhanced by further coatings, for example when the surface is subjected to the touch of hands – for example in lifts, escalators, desks and bar tops. Our fingerprint-resistant coatings have a thin coating layer, thereby preventing the appearance not just of fingerprints, but also other common stains.

Primer-coated and painted surfaces

Sometimes it is required to enhance the surface with colour coating. The choices will depend on the envi-ronments to which the material will be exposed, such

as coastal environments or industrial regions – for applications including roofing, cladding and wall panels. We can provide primer-coated and painted surfaces for insulated containers, civil engineering uses and many other applications.

Decorative finishes can be wonderful eye-catchers. The best results are ensured by paying due consideration to the environment and choice of stainless steel grade.

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This document is for information only and seeks to provide professionals with the best possible information to enable them to make appropriate choices. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this document, Outokumpu can not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage or other consequence resulting from the use of this publication. The information provided herein may be subject to alterations without notice.

This document does not constitute a recommendation or a contractual commitment on the part of Outokumpu. Product selection is the responsibility of the specifiers, designers and builders, who are solely responsible for render-ing the finished unit suitable for the use for which it is intended. It is the customer’s sole responsibility to ensure that the product is suitable for the use for which it is intended. Outokumpu shall not provide any guarantee in this respect.

Copyright© Outokumpu Group. All rights reserved.

www.outokumpu.com

Activating Your IdeasOutokumpu is a global leader in stainless steel with the vision to be the undisputed number one. Customers in a wide range of industries use our stainless steel and services worldwide. Being fully recyclable, maintenance-free, as well as very strong and durable material, stainless steel is one of the key building blocks for sustainable future.

What makes Outokumpu special is total customer focus – all the way, from R&D to delivery. You have the idea. We offer world-class stainless steel, technical know-how and support. We activate your ideas.

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