BA Stainless Steel Finish
This page covers the ASTM A480 BA finish and the BS EN 10088-2 2R bright annealed finish, how BA is produced, how to set acceptance, and the BA coil ZIVO STEEL supplies.
- Finish
- BA
- Process route
- Cold rolled, annealed in a protective atmosphere
0.05–0.1 µm
Typical Ra of 2R, BSSA reference
Not pickled
Only a thin oxide film forms
Representative view: a BA stainless steel surface reflecting a clear image, mirror-bright.
BA Finish in Two Standards
The table lists BA finish designations in two standards for cold rolled flat products.
| System | Designation | Standard | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A480 | Bright Annealed (BA) | ASTM A480 | Smooth, bright, reflective finish typically produced by cold rolling followed by annealing in a protective atmosphere so as to prevent oxidation and scaling during annealing. |
| BS EN 10088-2 | 2R | BS EN 10088-2:2024 (Table 6) | Cold rolled, bright annealed; highly reflective mirror finish, very smooth; typical Ra of 0.05-0.1 micrometres; often supplied with plastic coatings for pressings. |
How BA Is Produced
For cold rolled flat products, a Bright Annealed (BA) finish comes from this sequence. Unlike 2B, BA is not pickled in acid, because only a thin oxide film forms during annealing.
Cold rolling
The stainless steel flat product is cold rolled to thickness.
Protective-atmosphere annealing
Annealing takes place in a controlled, protective atmosphere, which prevents scale formation.
No acid pickling
Only a thin oxide film forms during annealing, so the pickling stage used for 2B is not needed.
Appearance
Bright annealed finish is a smooth, bright, reflective surface.
- ASTM A480 BA: cold rolled flat products, typically produced by cold rolling followed by annealing in a protective atmosphere so as to prevent oxidation and scaling during annealing.
- BS EN 10088-2:2024 (Table 6) 2R: cold rolled, bright annealed; highly reflective mirror finish, very smooth; often supplied with plastic coatings for pressings.
- Typical Ra: 0.05-0.1 micrometres for 2R, reported by BSSA as a reference figure based on manufacturers' and surface finishing contractors' data; not a BS EN 10088-2 value.
Specifying BA Finish
Before ordering a BA finish, settle these points in the order text.
- Name the designation systemState which designation system the order uses, ASTM or EN, and the finish name within that system. Not all suppliers use the same terminology to refer to the same finish.
- Agree a reference sampleAgree a reference sample for surface acceptance before the order is confirmed, so the reflective appearance is judged against a physical piece rather than a finish name.
- Confirm grade and thicknessBA finish is common in some grades and thicknesses, but not all. Check that the grade and thickness on the order are available in BA.
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Send what you already know, such as grade, finish, size or quantity. Inquiries are answered within 2 hours.
Inspection and Downstream Processing
What to expect when BA flat products are inspected, fabricated and put into service.
Mill finish
The BA finish is produced in the mill and cannot be exactly matched after fabrication, although a mechanical mirror polish can be close.
Closest to a mirror polish
Of the 2B, 2D and BA finishes on cold rolled flat products, BA is the one most nearly able to be matched by a mirror polish.
Used as supplied
Manufactured items with the 2R (bright annealed) finish are usually put into service without further finishing, per BS EN 10088-2:2024 Table 6.
Typical Uses
For flat products, a BA finish is used in the interior of dishwashers and clothes washing machines, where it provides a smooth, non-abrasive surface. The mirror-like surface is also used in road mirrors where a precise image is not required.
BA and 2B Process Difference
For cold rolled flat products, the 2B finish is pickled, whereas the bright annealed (BA) finish is not pickled in acid, because a thin oxide film is formed during annealing.
- Comparison
2B vs BA Stainless Steel
Choose a finish based on appearance, downstream work and acceptance requirements.
- Finish
2B Stainless Steel Finish
How 2B is defined, produced and specified.
BA Coil From ZIVO
ZIVO STEEL supplies BA stainless steel coil only in the grades and sizes below.
| Product page | Grade | Finish | Thickness | Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 Stainless Steel Coil | 304 | BA | 0.3–2.0 mm | 1219 mm |
| 430 Stainless Steel Coil | 430 | BA | 0.3–1.2 mm | 1219 mm |
| 201 Stainless Steel Coil | 201 (low-nickel J series) | BA | 0.25–1.0 mm | 1219 mm |
| 316L Stainless Steel Coil | 316L | BA | — | — |
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