Colour Plated Stainless Steel Ball
Colour plated hollow stainless steel balls formed from AISI 201, AISI 304 or AISI 316 sheet, with wall thickness from 0.6 mm to 3 mm and diameters from 35 mm to 3500 mm. The sphere is seam welded and finished with mirror polish, followed by chemical treatment and titanium or colour electroplating for a durable, non-painted surface. Holes can be cut to your specification before plating. The finished ball is ready for mounting without site modification.
Key Benefits
- Hollow construction keeps the ball light enough for one person to handle and install, even at 3500 mm diameter
- Colour electroplating provides a durable, non-painted finish that resists fading and chipping outdoors
- Wall thickness from 0.6 mm to 3 mm allows cost control based on structural need, not a fixed standard
- Holes cut before plating avoid surface damage that occurs when drilling a finished sphere
- Mirror polish combined with electroplating gives a high-gloss, reflective surface with consistent colour
- Diameters from 35 mm to 3500 mm are available from one supplier, ensuring visual consistency across a project
Problems It Solves
- Painted spheres crack and fade outdoors, requiring repainting every few years
- Buying spheres in multiple colours from different suppliers results in inconsistent finish and tone
- Drilling a mirror polished sphere on site scratches the surface and ruins the finish
- Electroplated finishes that are not sealed or chemically treated wear off quickly in outdoor conditions
Application Scenarios
Modern garden and home decor where a coloured reflective sphere adds visual interest
Public art installations using a series of graded diameters in a single colour or multiple hues
Interior design features in lobbies, atriums and retail spaces where a bold colour and shine are needed
Focal points in landscape schemes where a non-rusting, low-maintenance sphere is required
Outdoor sculptures where the ball is mounted on a pedestal or suspended from a cable
Architectural details such as finials, infill elements, or reflective accents on balustrades
Who It Is For
- Interior designers specifying a bold, reflective accent in a modern space
- Landscape architects integrating a coloured sphere into a contemporary garden or plaza
- Public art commissioners needing a durable, low-maintenance sculpture for outdoor use
- Homeowners and decorators sourcing a unique decorative element for a garden or courtyard
- Sculpture installers who need a ready-to-mount sphere with pre-drilled holes
- Property developers adding a distinctive visual feature to a new residential or commercial building
Technical Features
- Two hemispheres stamped from sheet, seam welded and ground to an invisible joint
- AISI 201, AISI 304 or AISI 316 stainless steel used depending on exposure and budget
- Wall thickness from 0.6 mm to 3 mm, selected to match the load and environmental conditions
- Mirror polish applied before chemical treatment and electroplating for a uniform base
- Titanium or colour electroplating applied after polishing to create a durable, non-painted surface
- Holes cut and positioned to your drawing before plating, including blind and drain holes
- Welded mounting spigot or base plate available on request, welded before final finish
Specifications and Materials
| Material | AISI 201, AISI 304 or AISI 316 stainless steel |
|---|---|
| Diameter Range | 35 mm to 3500 mm |
| Wall Thickness | 0.6 mm to 3 mm |
| Forming Method | Stamping press formed hemispheres, seam welded |
| Standard Finish | Mirror polished |
| Optional Finishes | Titanium or colour electroplating, chemical treatment |
| Secondary Operations | Cut holes, blind holes, drain holes, pedestal welding |
| Hardness | HRC ≤ 26 |
| Packing | Soft foam plastic inside, strong wooden or iron case outside |
| Place of Origin | Shenzhen, China |
| Optional Finish | Electroplating and colour coating |
Materials
- AISI 201 stainless steel, used for indoor or low-exposure outdoor applications
- AISI 304 stainless steel, suitable for general outdoor use in gardens and public spaces
- AISI 316 stainless steel, specified for coastal, poolside or high-corrosion environments
Customization
- Any diameter between 35 mm and 3500 mm, not limited to standard sizes
- Wall thickness selected for the required strength and weight, not a fixed default
- Hole positions, sizes and types (blind, drain, through) defined by your drawing
- Welded pedestal, spigot or base plate added in the correct orientation
- Colour matched electroplating to your sample or Pantone reference
- Graded sets where all spheres in a run share the same plating batch and finish
How It Is Made
- Step 1Sheet cut and blanked to the required diameter and thickness
- Step 2Hemispheres stamped on a press to form the two halves
- Step 3Halves fitted and seam welded into a closed sphere
- Step 4Weld ground and blended until the joint is invisible in reflection
- Step 5Holes cut and positioned to your drawing before plating
- Step 6Mirror polished through progressive grits to a high-gloss finish
- Step 7Chemical treatment applied to prepare the surface for electroplating
- Step 8Titanium or colour electroplating applied in a controlled bath
- Step 9Protective film applied, foam wrapped and cased for shipping
Quality Control and Use
Quality Control
- Seam checked in reflected light to ensure no flat spots or gaps remain
- Diameter and wall thickness verified against the order before polishing
- Hole positions and sizes checked against the drawing before plating
- Electroplated surface tested for adhesion and uniformity
- Finished spheres kept under protective film until packed
- Photographs of the finished batch sent for approval before the balance is invoiced
Use Guide
- Specify diameter, wall thickness, finish, hole positions and mounting type when requesting a quote
- Send the base or plinth detail so the pedestal is welded in the correct position
- Use AISI 316 if the sphere is near salt water, pools or de-icing salt
- Keep the protective film on until the sphere is mounted and the site is clean
- Clean with soft cloth and water; avoid wire brushes, abrasive pads or chloride cleaners
Compared With The Alternatives
| Alternative | How this product compares |
|---|---|
| Painted stainless steel spheres | No chipping, fading or peeling; electroplating lasts longer outdoors |
| Cast or solid steel spheres | Much lighter for the same diameter, so easier to install without heavy plant |
| GRP or acrylic spheres | Real specular reflection and no yellowing, but heavier and slower to produce |
| Mirror polished spheres without plating | Colour electroplating adds visual impact without the risk of paint wear |
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View DetailsGuides That Help You Specify This
AISI 304 vs 316 Stainless Steel for Outdoor Sculpture
When 304 is enough, when 316 earns the extra cost, and why chloride rather than rain is what actually attacks a polished surface.
How to Choose Wall Thickness for a Stainless Steel Sphere
What 1 mm, 2 mm and 6 mm walls actually change, and why thickness is a handling decision more than a strength one.
Mirror Polishing Explained for Stainless Steel Sculpture
Why the quality of a mirror finish is decided during welding and fixing, long before the piece reaches the polishing shop.
Questions About Colour Plated Stainless Steel Ball
What is the largest diameter you can make?
3500 mm on the standard press tooling. Intermediate diameters between 35 mm and 3500 mm are available without extra cost.
How long does an order take?
20 to 30 days after the deposit is received. Orders with multiple colours or hole types may take longer.
Should I use 201, 304 or 316?
AISI 201 for indoor or low-exposure areas. AISI 304 for general outdoor use. AISI 316 for coastal, poolside or high-corrosion environments.
Can you cut holes before plating?
Yes. All holes are cut and positioned to your drawing before electroplating to avoid damaging the finish.
How are the spheres packed for shipping?
Soft foam plastic against the surface, then a strong wooden or iron case. Large spheres are cradled on a wooden stand inside the case.
What are the payment terms?
T/T with 50% deposit and 50% balance before shipping. Photographs of the finished batch are sent for approval before the balance is invoiced.
Get a Price on Colour Plated Stainless Steel Ball
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