Steel Plate Finishing Services
Universal Steel has in-house blanchard grinding capabilities for part/drawing specific requirements, as well as for achieving non-standard material thicknesses. As a specialty steel plate finishing provider in Houston, TX and Chicago, IL, Universal Steel combines these in-house capabilities to deliver flat, precision-finished carbon and alloy plate that meets exact drawing tolerances without the delays of outsourcing to a third-party finisher.
Other plate finishing services are available upon request. Including, but not limited to, the following services:
- Machine RMS finishing — for tight surface roughness (Ra) requirements on machined components
- Galvanizing — for long-term corrosion resistance in outdoor, marine, or below-grade applications
- Zinc Coating — for added rust protection on fabricated steel components
Plate Finishing for Your Industry
Universal Steel's finishing capabilities support the demanding specifications of the following industries: Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Construction, Marine & Offshore, Excavating & Mining, Mold, Tool & Die, Agriculture, and Nuclear. Whether you need a smooth, flat surface for tooling or a coated plate ready for outdoor exposure, our finishing team works alongside our plate cutting, beveling, and rolling services to deliver a complete, ready-to-install part.
Need a precision-finished steel plate that's ready to weld, coat, or install? Contact Universal Steel America today to discuss your blanchard grinding or coating requirements — our team will help you find the right finishing process for your application and timeline.
FAQs About Plate Finishing Services
What is Blanchard grinding?
Blanchard grinding is a rotary surface grinding process that uses a large abrasive wheel to flatten and finish steel plate to precise thickness tolerances. It's commonly used to correct warpage, remove mill scale, and achieve consistent flatness on plate before machining, welding, or coating.
What is the difference between Blanchard grinding and surface grinding?
Blanchard grinding uses a rotating grinding wheel over a rotating table to remove material quickly across large or thick plates, while surface grinding uses a reciprocating table for finer, more precise finishes on smaller parts. Blanchard grinding favors speed and material removal; surface grinding favors tighter tolerances.
Do steel service centers still offer Blanchard grinding services?
Yes. Blanchard grinding remains widely used for finishing thick carbon and alloy steel plate. Universal Steel America offers in-house Blanchard grinding for part- and drawing-specific requirements, allowing plate to be flattened, cleaned, and finished without sending it out to a third-party grinding shop.
Can steel plate be galvanized or zinc coated for corrosion protection?
Yes. Galvanizing and zinc coating apply a protective zinc layer to steel plate to prevent rust and extend service life in outdoor, marine, or below-grade environments. These coatings are typically applied after cutting, drilling, or finishing to ensure full surface coverage.