Bead-Blasted Stainless Steel
Bead-blasted stainless steel, also known as micro-shot-blasted or shot-blasted stainless steel, features a uniform surface with no predominant linear direction.
The finish is achieved by controlled blasting of abrasive particles onto the stainless steel surface. This treatment creates a fine, even texture that diffuses light and significantly reduces reflections. The result is a material with a clean, tactile and contemporary appearance, suitable for decorative applications as well as architectural and industrial cladding.
Bead Blast (Micro-Shot-Blasted – Shot-Blasted)
Silver
The Silver Bead Blast finish retains the natural colour of stainless steel while giving it a matt, soft-looking and visually uniform surface.
Unlike satin or Hairline finishes, Bead Blast does not feature parallel lines or any clearly defined finishing direction. This creates a balanced appearance from every angle and makes the finish particularly suitable for panels, cladding and large-scale elements.
The surface can also be completed with a Glossy or Matt anti-fingerprint treatment, depending on the aesthetic and functional requirements of the project.
- Aisi: 304 – 316 – 430
- Thicknesses: 0,3 MM – 20 MM
- Standard widths: 1000 – 1250 – 1500
- Standard lenghts: 1000 – 6000 MM
- Anti-marking: Glossy or Matt
Bead Blast (Micro-Shot-Blasted – Shot-Blasted)
PVD in different colours
The Bead Blast finish is also available with PVD coating in a range of colours, combining the matt, tactile appearance of the micro-shot-blasted surface with sophisticated decorative shades.
The colour treatment enhances the underlying texture without compromising the diffuse, non-directional effect of the Bead Blast finish. The result is an elegant, uniform coloured surface, suitable for architecture, interior design, furnishings, retail, hospitality and lift applications. Bead-blasted finishes can in fact be applied to both natural and coloured stainless steel.
- Aisi: 304 – 316 – 430
- Thicknesses: 0,5 MM – 3,0 MM
- Standard widths: standard 1000 – 1250 – 1500
- Standard lenghts: 1000 – 6000 MM
- Anti-marking: Glossy or Matt
Applications and Industries
The matt, uniform and low-reflective surface makes Bead-Blasted stainless steel suitable for a wide range of decorative, architectural and industrial applications. The absence of a predominant direction makes the finish easy to integrate into projects involving panels, modular elements and cladding viewed from different angles. Applications referenced in industry sources include architecture, building exteriors, lifts, retail, marine, transport, machinery and artistic installations.
1. Architecture
2. Design
3. Furniture
indoor & outdoor
4. Flooring
5. Automotive
6. Naval
7. Urbanism
8. Appliances
- Architecture and cladding
- Building exteriors and outdoor elements
- Interior and exterior design
- Furniture and accessories
- Lifts and lift cabins
- Escalators and people movers
- Doors and panelling
- Shops and commercial spaces
- Trade fair stands and exhibition displays
- Hotels, restaurants and hospitality venues
- Wall and ceiling cladding
- Canopies and public transport structures
- Airports, stations and terminals
- Street furniture
- Signage and information elements
- Machinery and equipment cladding
- Industrial plants
- Marine sector
- Ship and yacht building
- Decorative elements and design objects
- Sculptures and art installations
Bead Blast
Advantages of Bead-Blasted Stainless Steel
- Uniform and consistent surface, suitable for panels and cladding designed to remain visible.
- Non-directional finish, without the parallel lines typical of satin and Hairline surfaces.
- Reduced reflections, thanks to the surface’s ability to diffuse light.
- Matt and contemporary appearance, suitable for architecture, furnishings and interior design.
- Subtle, tactile effect, enhancing the metal without creating excessive shine.
- Visual continuity from different angles, useful when creating modular surfaces.
- High versatility of application, from residential settings to commercial and industrial environments.
- Wide range of colour customisation options, through PVD coating in different colours.
- Anti-fingerprint treatment available, in Glossy or Matt versions.
- Strength and long-lasting durability, inherent properties of stainless steel.
- Easy integration into design projects, thanks to the neutral and balanced appearance of the finish.
Bead-Blasted Stainless Steel
FAQ
Here you can find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Bead-Blasted stainless steel, its characteristics and possible applications.
Do you have a specific project in mind?
Bead Blast is a surface treatment that creates a fine, matt and uniform texture on stainless steel. The process is carried out by blasting abrasive particles onto the surface in a controlled manner.
The final result may vary depending on the type and size of the abrasive, pressure, speed and other parameters used during the treatment.
These terms are often used to describe treatments in which the metal surface is impacted by abrasive particles.
Micro-shot blasting generally refers to a finer and more controlled process designed to achieve a uniform and decorative surface. Shot blasting, on the other hand, can include treatments producing different results depending on the material and size of the particles used.
Satin-finished stainless steel generally features parallel lines running in the same direction. Bead Blast, by contrast, creates a non-directional surface with no clearly visible linear pattern.
Satin finishing produces a brushed effect, while Bead Blast creates a more uniform, matt and diffuse texture.
Both are non-directional finishes, but they are produced using different processes.
The Vibration finish is characterised by overlapping marks distributed in multiple directions. Bead Blast, on the other hand, has a finer, more uniform and finely textured surface created by blasting abrasive particles onto the steel.
The Bead Blast finish has low reflectivity. Its matt surface diffuses light rather than reflecting it directly, helping to reduce glare and strong reflections.
No. Bead Blast is predominantly a non-directional finish and does not feature the parallel lines typical of satin-finished or Hairline stainless steel.
This allows the surface to be viewed from different angles while maintaining a uniform visual appearance.
Yes. In addition to the Silver version, the Bead Blast finish can be combined with PVD coating in a range of colours.
The colour treatment enhances the micro-shot-blasted surface while preserving its matt and tactile appearance.
No. The PVD treatment colours the surface without removing or concealing the underlying finish. The micro-shot-blasted effect remains visible, contributing to a more tactile and uniform appearance.
Yes. ARCH & INOX offers Glossy or Matt anti-fingerprint treatments for both Silver Bead Blast and PVD-coloured versions.
Yes, it can also be used for outdoor applications, provided that the most suitable stainless steel grade and treatment are selected according to the environmental conditions and intended use.
For building exteriors, exterior cladding, coastal environments or particularly aggressive conditions, it is important to carefully assess the most appropriate stainless steel grade.
Bead-Blasted stainless steel is widely used in architecture, building exteriors, interior design, lifts, retail, transport, the marine sector and machinery cladding.
The finish is also used for design objects, sculptures, art installations and street furniture.
For routine cleaning, we recommend using a soft cloth and neutral detergent, rinsing the surface thoroughly and drying it to prevent streaks or marks.
Abrasive sponges, steel wool, aggressive powders and tools that could locally alter the matt texture should be avoided.