Common or obvious surface imperfections, which sometimes occur in sheet steel, are normally visible to the naked eye before or after fabrication.

Illustrations and definitions of these imperfections are contained in this SAE Information Report. The identifying names are those commonly used throughout the steel industry. The imperfections identified include the major and most often encountered imperfections known to exist at this time. These imperfections are variable in appearance and severity. Extreme conditions have been selected in some instances in order to obtain suitable photographs.

Photographs are courtesy of the American Iron and Steel Institute, Kaiser Aluminum, LTV Steel, National Steel, The Budd Company.