Stainless steel alloys are popular for applications big and small across numerous industries.
There’s a good chance that there is a stainless steel product or piece of stainless steel equipment within a short walk of where you are right now.
But if you’re looking to design a system, create stunning designs, or fabricate parts and equipment, you’ll have to start with basic stainless steel products and work from there.
In this guide, we’re going to look at the most common stainless steel shapes and sizes you’ll encounter and the considerations you should make when determining the ideal product for your next project.
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Before we dive into the various characteristics of alloys, finishes, and other more metallurgic details, we should explore the different shapes and formats in which stainless steel is sold today.
Each will offer different benefits depending on your intended use.
As such, understanding your options can help you to find a format that is most closely matched to your needs and avoid additional costs and time spent on further processing before you can use your stainless steel.
Stainless steel sheet is the most flexible option in most cases–both in terms of sizing and shape and in your ability to form it to fabricate products or meet your design specifications.
Depending on your needs, you’ll find stainless steel sheets in thicknesses up to around 6mm.
Products above this thickness tend to fall into the plate form instead.
If you’re sourcing your sheet from the U.S., you might also find this thickness listed by gauge instead of in millimeters.
In most cases, the stainless steel supplier will offer a range of standardized sizes.
Common sizes include 48-inches-by-120-inches (roughly 122-centimeters-by-305-centimeters), 60-inches-by-120-inches (roughly 152-centimeters-by-305-centimeters), and 72-inches-by-120-inches (roughly 183-centimeters by 305-centimeters.)
However, many suppliers can also offer metal cutting services using plasma cutters, waterjet cutters, and other tools to provide a product that precisely meets your ideal size and shape.
Sheet is ideal when you plan to shape or cut the base stainless form to create lighter-weight parts and equipment.
Most sheets are delivered in an annealed state, providing an excellent balance of strength and malleability.
This means you can often take stainless steel sheets directly from shipping to the press for shaping or welding table for fabrication with minimal preparation or pre-processing.
Since the sheet is often cut into standardized sizes, it’s also easier and more space-efficient to store than some other forms.
However, if you plan to stack or store stainless with a mirror or high-gloss finish, be sure to consider any precautions to avoid marring your product's finish before use.
Stainless steel sheet is commonly used in the chemical, construction, food service, marine, transportation, and textile industries.
Stainless steel plates can share many similarities with stainless steel sheets.
However, it starts at higher thicknesses in most cases and is often smaller in overall surface area.
Plate is also available in standard sizes, though these tend to start smaller–around the 12in-by-12in (or 30cm-by-30cm) range and topping out around 48-inches-by-120-inches (roughly 122cm-by-305cm.)
However, like with sheets, you can also order these with custom cuts and sizes to fit your intended application or any special needs you might have.
Keep in mind that thicker pieces will typically mean greater weight when compared to stainless steel sheets of comparable size.
However, this also means increased strength depending on the need.
Stainless steel plate is commonly used in the chemical, construction, food service, marine, transportation, and textile industries.
Unlike stainless steel plate or sheets, stainless steel bar comes in various shapes, including round, square, hex along with angle and flat bar and hollow bar.
Their names essentially refer to their shape, giving an easy way to start limiting choices to find your ideal bar type.
Like plate and sheet, stainless steel bars are available in various thicknesses (or diameters depending on the shape.) Standard sizes range from 3mm to 25mm.
Flat bars are often used to help form base plates and brackets or reinforce key areas where plate might otherwise be a poor choice.
Round stainless steel bars (sometimes referred to as stainless steel rounds) are very popular in machining for creating fasteners, threaded tubes or shafts, and other items.
Hexagonal and hollow bars are often used in weight-bearing scenarios and the fabrication of many common structural beam elements–including I beams, H beams, and C beams. However, hexagonal bars can also have machining uses similar to stainless steel rounds, allowing for rapid production of nuts and other fasteners.
Square bars fit well into both categories, providing excellent structural and load-bearing support while also being an ideal shape and format for machining and fabricating various fasteners.
Of course, when choosing the ideal stainless steel product for your needs, the actual format is just a part of the overall decision.
You also need to determine the best stainless steel alloy, ideal finishes, and other traits that might impact your components' service life and overall fit for your budget.
Most plate, sheet, or bar products will be available in a range of alloys, including those in the 200, 300, and 400 series.
However, you might also find that specialized grades are available for specific uses.
300-series stainless steel will provide an excellent balance of cost, weight, fabrication ability, and corrosion resistance in most cases.
However, 400-series steel is popular in food service applications, medical environments, or when looking for a ferritic stainless option.
If you’re looking for more information regarding the various stainless alloys and their traits, be sure to consult our guide to stainless steel grades and families.
Finishes are another consideration that can impact overall costs and better align your stainless steel with your intended use.
For example, mirror finishes (#8) might look impressive but quickly pick up fingerprints and show scratches and other wear easier.
As such, if they’re in a high-traffic or touch-heavy environment, you might spend an unreasonable amount of time maintaining that finish.
You’ll also need to take extra precautions when storing the steel or fabricating and assembling to avoid damage. In many cases, a protective liner is recommended to avoid mishaps.
By contrast, brushed finishes (#4)–popular in food service and appliance use–offer a clean, professional appearance with far fewer cleaning and maintenance requirements.
On the other hand, if you plan to do extensive fabrication or welding, you might find it best to apply a finish yourself.
In these cases, opting for a product with a 1, 2B, or 2BA finish could reduce costs and allow greater flexibility.
For more information, including typical uses and any considerations to keep in mind, be sure to consult our guide to stainless steel finishes.
This final consideration touches on points related to virtually everything considered so far.
If you’re planning to cut, weld, rivet, or modify the steel in any way, be sure to consider any stresses applied to the steel and potential treatments which might be required to return the steel to an ideal state.
For example, extensive welding or the heat of plasma cutting might require you to consider pickling, electropolishing, or other heat treatments to ensure that the passive layer is effectively restored and promote optimal corrosion resistance.
Riveting or fastening will require you to consider any hardware used to minimize galvanic corrosion risks.
Tapping or threading stainless steel bars and other parts will likely require attention to machined areas to ensure complete restoration of the passive layer and avoid corrosion risks.
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Selecting the right stainless steel sheets is therefore very important if you want your project to succeed. These versatile materials present improved durability, corrosion resistance, and attractive appearance in many applications in the industrial and architectural fields.
Here is the breakdown of 7 tips to assist your purchase. Knowledge of the grades, finishes, thicknesses, and other factors will enable you to come up with decisions that meet the quality needed according to the costs and the performance that you desire.
The steps in the selection of stainless steel sheets include the following. This will assist in making the right decision of the right material that meets best the demand of the application or conditions of the environment besides the strength one.
You need to have the specific needs of your project clearly defined before you go out for stainless steel sheets. This may include load bearing capacity of the material, environmental conditions it will be used in, and exposure to chemicals and/or moisture.
Estimate the environment that stainless steel will be placed within. It will be required to evaluate whether the adhesive will be subjected to low temperatures, high temperatures or chemicals because this determines the grade and thickness.
It is advised to rank the estimated environment where stainless steel will appear. One will have to determine whether the adhesive will be exposed to low temperatures, high temperatures, or chemicals since this determines the grade and thickness.
Selecting stainless steel sheets therefore starts with identifying your project’s requirements. Closely look at the application, the conditions the Material is to be used, and the strength requirements to come up with the best Material possible.
The selection of the appropriate stainless steel grade is one of the key factors that define your project in as much as the functionality and the durability of the product. The following breakdown is said to show how one is to select the correct grade:
Standard, non-advanced austenitic type of stainless steel that provides excellent resistance to corrosion, and ease in fabrication and welding. Ideal for general-purpose applications.
Grade 316 is better than grade 304 in terms of corrosion resistivity, especially in chloride-related environments. Oned for chemical processing facilities and coastal environments.
A cast iron grade with a lower cost per lb, good corrosion resistance, and reasonable appearance. Mostly employed for uses where strength is not so much a consideration.
If your application involves exposure to aggressive chemicals, salt, or adverse weather conditions then Grade 316 may be more appropriate because of its superior corrosion resistance.
Where high strength is needed, the steels to look for are 304 or 316 grades, as they offer better strength. The grade 430 might be used where the strength is not strongly required.
It is very ductile making it very useful in the manufacturing processes since it can be welded and molded in different ways. That versatility probably makes it the best one.
It is also weldable but somewhat less ductile compared to 304 material. However, in welding its specific technique has to be applied to ensure that it does not get to be corroded.
Usually cheaper and sufficiently chemically reactive, thus, being a more economical option if the components’ high corrosion resistance is not required.
Somewhat more expensive due to the enhancement of the material properties, however, justified for the areas with enhanced exposure.
However, if you cannot determine which grade to choose, consult the suppliers or related industries. Knowledgeable enough to give you advice concerning your particular application preferences so that you can make the right decisions.
This is made possible when it is realized that there exists a stainless steel grade that will be fit for such an environment. This is the best decision if you want durability and cost to be well balanced to give you the best results for your project.
Regarding the issues of thickness and size of stainless steel sheets, one has to make the right choice to fit a particular project. The following are some guidelines that might be of great help to you when you are choosing the right specifications:
Determine the tensile strength right for your application. It is also understood that the thicker sheets can bear more loads than the thin sheets which are appropriate for lighter uses.
Think about how exposure to elements or temperature changes might affect motor outputs. Figure out the potential impacts and consequences according to different thicknesses.
Stainless steel sheets can be in standard gauges or millimeters about the thickness of the sheets. Choose a thickness that would support your structure needs and artistic vision.
If other measurements are not listed then use custom thicknesses for your particular needs. This ensures that it meets your desired specifications to the utmost detail.
Standard stainless steel sheets are hardly a problem to locate and they are fairly affordable, for their given sizes. Although, ensure that these dimensions can fit your project type.
The other type of sheet that is very useful is the custom-sized sheet especially when working on projects with atypical sizes. Be as accurate as possible to have perfect measurements.
Reinforced and one-of-a-kind sized ideas will, as a rule, cost more. Try to weigh your budget with the technical aspects of the project so that the final decision is more economical.
One should be particular about measurements while purchasing sheets. Mis-specified dimensions may cause problems during the processes of fitting or joining.
You can always consult your suppliers or experts on matters to do with thickness and size depending on your project. They shall guide you in selecting the most appropriate ones.
Choosing the right thickness and dimension will make sure that the stainless steel sheets that you will buy will be appropriate for what you need. The uplifted selection raises performance and stability to provide an extra layer of protection.
For more information, please visit Custom Size Stainless Steel Sheet.
There are various types of stainless steel finishes in stainless steel sheets and the type chosen defines the appearance and performance of the end product. Here you should look at these factors if you are to choose the most appropriate finish for your home.
This is realized through using a fine abrasive to work the surface thus coming out with an even matte finish. Suitable for places where a low profile, low sheen finish is required.
Forced by conditions of abrading and shining to have a polished, gleaming surface. Mostly used where high gloss is required such as in architectural and decorative coatings.
Smoother and flatter than polished as it is made by a coarser abradant brush. It lies between reflectivity and texture which is very functional and may also serve an aesthetical function.
A highly polished surface resulting from successive stages of polishing. Suitable for all those instances where a high degree of reflectivity and attractiveness is desirable.
Scratch and fingerprint-resistant are brushed or satin surfaces. They are suitable for various applications especially places that are bound to experience heavy traffic or high usage.
Fine finish and mirror finish must be cleaned often to ensure that it is clean as required by clients. Also, brushed and satin looks are not very sensitive to care and are less demanding.
Choose a finish that suits the design of your project. Polished would look good with modern designs while the brushed or satin finishes with industrial and minimalist designs.
Think about how the finish will affect the appearance of the stainless steel. Glossy surfaces have a striking aesthetic and more shine while flat surfaces are much less obtrusive.
Some of the finishes are suitable for indoor use while others are made for use in exposed areas. Among some of the finishes, we have the brushed and the satin which are very hard and clear for use often used areas or even exterior ones.
Some of the details and polishing operations like mirror or polishing add up to the total price of stainless steel sheets. Check your budget and compare the advantages and disadvantages of every type of finish to choose what is better for you.
By so doing you will be able to select a finish that can enhance the functionality as well as the outlook of the surface being worked on. This helps your stainless steel sheets to be as per your project’s requirement and the look and feel you want.
Every time we are called upon to purchase stainless steel sheets we are forced to look for the best provider that will provide us with quality sheets and services. This is how one can conduct proper research and comparison of the suppliers.
Check customers’ reviews on Google, yelp, or forums specific to your industry. Satisfied customers give a high rating and positive feedback thus making them a reliable supplier.
You should investigate the supplier’s track record as being good in the market. The experience of a supplier and his connection within the industry make him more credible most of the time.
Check to confirm whether the supplier complies with any legal accreditation, for instance, the ISO for quality management standards.
Ensure that the supplier of the products provides stainless steel sheets that comply with such qualities as ASTM or DIN where applicable.
Ensure that the supplier stocks a myriad of grades, sizes, and/or finishes. The variety of offered products speaks about a stable supplier’s position which can fulfill some requirements.
Check the supplier’s stock before placing your order to ensure that he is in a position to supply what you want. They should ensure that they will be in a position to honor typical set deadlines.
To consider cost options many suppliers should be contacted and compared. Bid prices should be for similar products in terms of grade, thickness, and finish of the tubes.
Do not focus on the price factor only. Other aspects to look at include the postage charges as well as the time taken to deliver the products, besides any other charges that may be levied.
Consider the supplier’s ability and eagerness to respond to inquiries. Customers should be treated well to enable them to solve their concerns as well as enhance the purchase journey.
Determine whether the supplier offers any additional services such as cutting, etching or technical services. Such services can be rather useful and auxiliary to the main trip.
Therefore, having performed the same research and comparing suppliers by those indicators, you will make the right decision. In this way, you will be sure that you get the best stainless steel sheets that apply to a specific project that is being done.
Be familiar with the price on the base of a sheet or per piece. Comparing and contrasting the prices that different suppliers give for similar grades of thickness.
Take into account the shipping costs that also depend on the supplier’s location and your delivery needs. Still, include any handling fees that may apply.
Add costs of other customization amenities such as cutting or finishing services among others. These charges may affect the total cost that is incurred in the whole process.
Thus, better quality of stainless steel is expensive initially, but it does not corrode easily, and will prove to be longer lasting. That in turn helps to dispense with the need for replacement.
Some finishes and grades are cheaper to maintain than others and this is another over cost factor. Contrast how much it cost at the value or how much work it takes to do maintain it.
If ordering a lot, ask just how much they can lower the price to you as a bulk buyer. In external purchasing, suppliers are also known to give cheaper prices with large quantities ordered.
Order large quantities for products in conjunction with the suppliers. It has the potential of resulting to favorable conditions and improved bargain in a deal.
Hopefully it doesn’t sacrifice performance and build quality for the lower price. Determine whether the lower cost can be justified by any decrease in the quality.
Relatively more amount of investment opted for better quality is beneficial in the future. This makes them to have a longer life span and also they are easily serviced within the service period.
Estimate the costs associated with eventual installation of the device, as well as the continual maintenance and possible repairs. The higher quality of the sheet can lead to the lower total costs looking at the life cycles, and other performances.
Thus, by analyzing these factors effectively, it is possible to come up with a rational decision on the subject with proper regard to costs and quality. This decreases the possibility of receiving a raw deal every time you invest in stainless steel sheets.
For the stainless steel sheets, one needs to ensure that he or she compares the needs of a project with the abilities of the aforementioned sheets to meet them as necessary. This is how you should proceed if you want to make the right choice:
Make sure you agree on the thickness, width, and length of the stainless steel sheets so that you do not have to go back for more or pay more money. These dimensions must be very accurately reconciled with your project’s needs to avoid problems.
Make sure that the specification of the stainless steel in the order corresponds to the grade you want. Grades may vary in terms of their corrosion protection, tensile strength as well and toughness which can affect the outcome of your project.
Check the roughness or shininess of the sheets against what you ordered (brushed, polished, matte, etc). The finish is related to the outer look of the material and also to the mechanical characteristics – scratch and stain resistance, for example.
Ensure that the delivered stainless steel sheets, if any, have met the ASTM and ISO standards. The former certification presupposes compliance with the standards of implementing structures the latter is necessary to meet the legislative requirements.
Make sure that all the orders that contain quantity, delivery date, and any other special instructions are reviewed. Some of the likely mistakes may include wrong or inadequate supplies received couple with which is detrimental to any project.
It will be relevant to request the product specifications, test reports, and relevant certificates for compliance from the supplier. These documents can give some level of guarantee on the quality and characteristics of the stainless steel sheets.
It will be relevant to request the product specifications, test reports, and relevant certificates for compliance from the supplier. These documents can give some level of guarantee on the quality and characteristics of the stainless steel sheets.
The points discussed above are the grade, size, and finish and the supplier can give the right information in bending the stainless steel sheets which is important in the long run for your project. Therefore by adhering to the tips above one cannot go wrong while making a purchase.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Colored Stainless Steel Sheet.