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Surface imperfections 304ss #4 finish

I would like to know if there is an industry standard on allowable imperfections on the surface of 304SS sheet with a #4 brushed finish. As a distributor, we have a customer that has rejected material twice for a defect on the surface that is barely detectable. You can not see this through the PVC protective coating. Therefore, material is cut and processed before the customer notices this problem. We have told them we can no longer replace this material, but would like to know if there is any documentation to show them. Can you help?

Thank you,

Eric Garretson
aluminum & stainless sales - Clinton, Ohio
2003

ASTM A480 gives the usual definition of a #4 finish, with nothing specific regarding criteria for rejection based on surface defects, etc. Your customer may need to add a requirement for maximum surface defect if their application requires a "perfect" surface.

Toby Padfield
- Troy, Michigan
2003

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