The surface treatment process of stainless steel necklace is directly related to its scratch resistance and glossiness. Different processes change the physical structure and chemical properties of the metal surface to form different protective and decorative effects.
Polishing is one of the common surface treatment methods. It makes the stainless steel surface extremely smooth through mechanical grinding. This process can make the stainless steel necklace appear mirror-like and reflect evenly when the light is irradiated, bringing a strong metallic luster. However, there are certain limitations to the overly smooth surface. Once it is rubbed by hard objects, it is easy to leave obvious scratches. Because the smooth surface lacks tiny concave and convex structures to disperse the friction, scratches will directly destroy the mirror effect and cause the gloss to decrease. However, high-quality polishing will form a dense oxide film on the surface. This film can resist slight friction to a certain extent and delay the appearance of scratches.
The sandblasting process forms uniform fine pits on the metal surface by high-speed jetting abrasives, giving the surface a matte texture. This uneven surface structure can disperse light, making the gloss softer and less dazzling. At the same time, the raised parts between the pits will first bear the external force when rubbed, reducing the visual impact of a single scratch, so the scratch resistance is relatively strong. Even if there is a slight scratch, the scratch is not easy to detect because the surface itself is not completely smooth, and the gloss will not change significantly due to local wear. It is suitable for wearers who pursue low-key texture and focus on durability.
The electroplating process is to cover a layer of other metal plating on the surface of stainless steel, such as rhodium, nickel, etc. The plating can not only give the stainless steel necklace a variety of colors, such as silver white, gold, etc., but also improve the hardness of the surface. The rhodium plating has a high hardness and can effectively resist daily friction and reduce scratches. At the same time, the plating itself has good reflectivity, allowing the stainless steel necklace to maintain a long-lasting gloss. However, if the plating is subjected to severe impact or long-term contact with sweat and chemicals, it may fall off locally. The stainless steel base of the falling part will be exposed, forming a color difference with the plating, affecting the overall gloss. At this time, the scratch resistance will also decrease with the damage of the plating.
The etching process forms a pattern or texture on the surface through chemical corrosion or laser engraving. This process makes the surface of the stainless steel necklace have a contrast between smoothness and concave and convex. The smooth part can reflect light and maintain a certain gloss, while the concave and convex texture can disperse part of the light to form a unique light and shadow effect. The grooves in the texture can act as a buffer when rubbed, reducing the direct wear on the smooth part, so the scratch resistance is better than that of a pure polished surface. Even if there is slight wear on the edge of the texture, it will blend with the overall pattern and will not easily affect the visual integrity. The glossiness is maintained by the reflection of the smooth area.
The passivation process is to form a passivation film on the surface of stainless steel through chemical treatment. This film is colorless and transparent. It will not change the color of the metal itself, but it can enhance the surface's corrosion and scratch resistance. The passivation film can fill the tiny pores on the metal surface, making the surface denser, reducing damage during friction, and maintaining the original natural gloss of stainless steel. Although the glossiness of the stainless steel necklace treated by this process is not as dazzling as polishing, it is more durable. Slight scratches during daily wear are not easy to damage the passivation film, and it can maintain a stable appearance for a long time.
The brushing process uses sandpaper or grinding wheels to draw parallel fine lines on the surface, forming a silky texture. This kind of line can reflect directional light, presenting a soft and layered luster, which is different from the strong reflection of the mirror. When the raised lines between the lines are rubbed, they will disperse the friction force, so that the scratch marks extend along the lines instead of forming messy scratches, so it is more difficult to detect visually. The surface treated with brushing has strong scratch resistance. Even if it is worn out after long-term wear, the overall shape of the lines can still be maintained, and the glossiness will not be significantly reduced due to local friction.
The effect of different surface treatment processes on the scratch resistance and glossiness of stainless steel necklace is essentially achieved by changing the physical structure and chemical stability of the surface. Smooth surfaces are conducive to improving glossiness but have weak scratch resistance. Rough or plated surfaces have more advantages in scratch resistance and more diverse gloss performance. When choosing, you need to consider the wearing scenario and personal preference. If you are often in an environment with high activity, sandblasting and brushed processes can better balance durability and beauty; if you focus on a long-lasting and bright gloss, electroplating and passivation processes are more suitable choices.
