4 Advice to Choose a Stainless Steel Coil Supplier

11 Aug.,2025

 

Buy Stainless Steel Coil: Useful Tips for You - WANJIAHONG

What factors matter for choosing stainless steel?

Here are the key factors when considering to buy stainless steel coils according to your need:

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit HWHG.

Corrosion resistance

For stainless steel products, the installation environment is a key factor.

When choosing stainless steel, we mainly consider the atmospheric conditions, the concentration levels of particular chemicals, and the acid.

If the installation environment is less corrosive, an austenitic stainless steel grade for general purpose is suitable. While, for a highly acidic environment, you need to choose a stainless steel grade like 316, 904L, or .

Heat resistance

The temperature of the environment is also an important factor.

In the furnace environment(900-C), the high temperatures will speed up the corrosion of stainless steel.

Also, it puts extra pressure on stainless steel products.

So, if the temperature is always high, you need the well heat-resistant stainless steel, such as 321 and 253MA.

Cryogenic resistance

Very low temperature is another factor. Austenitic stainless steels are effective at very low temperatures.

They maintain a higher tensile strength at low temperatures than at ambient temperatures.

Despite a slight degrading of toughness, these steels work well in temperatures as low as -161°C.

Magnetic response

Austenitic grades have a low magnetic response.

Those with higher nickel content are not magnetic under any conditions, such as the 316 or 310 grades.

And the ferritic and martensitic stainless steel grades (400 series) are highly permeable.

Moreover, duplex grades like and are also ferromagnetic.

Strength required

Steel strength is an important factor to consider before you choose the grade, but it is a complex one.

Your requirements for stainless steel depending on the purpose and the installation environment.

In some cases, high strength stainless steels, like austenitic and duplex, are suitable. But in some cases, their disadvantages are also obvious and do not meet your requirements.

For example, high strength austenitic steels produced by work hardening are not suitable for welding. It makes the steels soft.

Form of product

Stainless steel products come in many forms, such as sheets, bars, and tubes.

The form will affect the grade you need.

Not all grades have all product forms and sizes. Austenitic stainless steels are very versatile.

You can find products in a wide variety of forms and sizes for different purposes. Ferritic steels generally appear in sheet form. And martensitic steels are common in solid bar form.

Special requirements

When installing stainless steel products, there may be some special requirements.

As a result, you may need to change the grade of steel.

For example, you may want non-magnetic steel, need products that are suitable for welding or products with a high degree of forming. Or simply you just want a good-looking product.

Cost

Cost is always a factor when choosing to buy stainless steel coil.

And you need to balance it with all the other considerations. Sometimes the best technical steel is too expensive.

But please remember to assess the cost on a life cycle basis.

Do not look at the initial price only then overlook the life cycle. Stainless steel products have a long life, so a high cost for high-quality steel is reasonable.

How can you tell good quality stainless steel coil?

As long as the quality is good enough, stainless steel is one of the safest materials.

But remember, the quality matters.

So, how do you know if the stainless steel coil you’ve got is good or not? Try out the below methods.

Use a magnet?

The theory of the “magnet test” is a rumour.

It tells you that you can test the quality of stainless steel with a magnet.

But the fact is that the magnet is to test whether the steel is austenitic, or whether the steel contains chromium and nickel.

There are three main types of structures in stainless steel: austenite, ferrite, and martensite.

When you see stainless steel with 18/8 or 18/10 marks, it tells you the amount of chromium and nickel.

  • The first number 18 indicates 18% chromium in the steel.
  • The second number 8 or 10 means 8% or 10% nickel in the steel. Nickel is a critical factor for forming austenite stainless steel.

So, both 18/8 and 18/10 are austenitic.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Stainless Steel Coil Supplier.

The “magnet test” is useful when you use it in the right way. And it’s easy to do by simply taking a magnet to your stainless steel coil.

If the magnet sticks, the coil is safe because it indicates no nickel in the steel. But if the magnet doesn’t stick, it means the steel contains nickel, so the coil is not safe for food usage.

This test is credible.

If a magnet is to stick to steel, it is not a nickel (austenitic) alloy.

The magnet works in some cases, but not always right.

There is a problem with this theory, however.

First of all, there are no stainless steel pans with magnetic inside and outside. It’s very difficult to find a fully magnetic stainless steel coil on the market.

That’s not surprising. The reason is that austenitic stainless steel which contains nickel is highly resistant to corrosion.

Corrosion resistance is very important to buy stainless steel coil, isn’t it?

If the coil is fully magnetic stainless steel, it would corrode and not last very long. Without nickel, the metal is not stable.

For this reason, it’s not necessary to buy stainless steel coils that are magnetic, nickel-free.

For the cases of cookware

You will find magnetic stainless steel in the outer layer of some quality stainless steel.

It’s to make the coil compatible with induction stovetops in case you need it for cookware. The reason is, induction stovetops use an electromagnetic field to heat the cookware.

So, high-quality stainless steel cookware usually has three layers of metal. The interior is austenite stainless steel. The exterior is ferrite stainless steel. And the middle layer is aluminium.

It’s for good heat conductivity because steel itself does not conduct heat evenly. Stainless steel of poor quality usually has only one austenitic layer.

But there is still a difference in quality between different types of austenitic stainless steel.

Sometimes you will find that austenitic stainless steel is less magnetic. That’s because, during manufacturing, the steel is cold-processed to form ferrite and martensite.

This process makes it easier to corrode and leach.

The formulation of austenitic stainless steel cookware is careful to avoid this. And the result is a very stable austenitic alloy that resists corrosion and leaching of the metal.

So, A carefully-formed, highly-stable, non-corrosive, and nickel-containing stainless steel is safer than a pure magnetic stainless steel.

Pure magnetic stainless steel will break down and corrode over time. And it doesn’t even exist in the market!

To be honest, it’s hard to know whether your stainless steel is of the best quality unless you are a metal expert. Or unless you go to the factory and see how it’s made. Otherwise, you won’t know whether your stainless steel has corrosive materials.

The best choice

Your best choice is to buy high-quality stainless steel from the start, choose a brand with a good reputation for quality, such as WJH premium stainless steel.

But still, there’s another way for you to determine whether the stainless steel coils you’ve got is potentially harmful.

Material tester

Distinguish between 201 stainless steel, 202 stainless steel, and 304 stainless steel

What is all this stuff? They are the types/grades of stainless steel. No worries. We’ll tell you in detail in the following section after this.

Now let’s focus on how to make use of the tester.

Your Guide to Stainless Steel Grades: Properties & Applications

Your Guide to Stainless Steel Grades: Properties & Applications

Why Stainless Steel? 

Stainless steel is a go-to material for industries that demand durability, corrosion resistance, and a polished appearance. Whether you’re in manufacturing, construction, or food processing, choosing the right stainless steel grade is key to performance and longevity. At Mill Steel, we’re more than just a stainless steel distributor—we’re your trusted partner in finding the best material for your needs. 

Understanding Stainless Steel Grades 

Austenitic Stainless Steel (300 Series) 

  • Composition: High in chromium and nickel.
  • Why Choose It? Exceptional corrosion resistance, non-magnetic, highly durable, and easy to weld.
  • Common Grades: 304, 316, 321.
  • Industries Served: Food processing, medical, marine, chemical processing. 

Austenitic Stainless Steel (200 Series) 

  • Composition: Lower nickel content, replaced with manganese and nitrogen.
  • Why Choose It? More cost-effective than 300 series, good corrosion resistance, and high strength.
  • Common Grades: 201, 202.
  • Industries Served: Kitchenware, appliances, automotive trim, structural components. 

Ferritic Stainless Steel (400 Series) 

  • Composition: Chromium-based, with low nickel content.
  • Why Choose It? Cost-effective, magnetic, good corrosion resistance, and great for high-temperature applications.
  • Common Grades: 409, 430.
  • Industries Served: Automotive exhaust systems, kitchen appliances, architectural designs. 

Martensitic Stainless Steel 

  • Composition: Higher carbon for added strength.
  • Why Choose It? High hardness, moderate corrosion resistance, and magnetic properties.
  • Common Grades: 410, 420.
  • Industries Served: Cutlery, aerospace, turbine blades, surgical tools. 

Duplex Stainless Steel 

  • Composition: A mix of austenitic and ferritic properties.
  • Why Choose It? Twice the strength of austenitic steel with improved stress corrosion resistance.
  • Common Grades: , .
  • Industries Served: Chemical processing, offshore structures, pipelines. 

Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steel 

  • Composition: Alloyed with copper, aluminum, or titanium for superior strength.
  • Why Choose It? High strength, corrosion resistance, and excellent heat resistance.
  • Common Grades: 17-4 PH, 15-5 PH.
  • Industries Served: Aerospace, power plants, high-performance machinery. 

How to Choose the Right Stainless Steel for Your Business 

When selecting the right stainless steel grade, consider: 

  • Corrosion Resistance: For high-exposure environments, go with 316 stainless.
  • Strength & Durability: Need extra toughness? Martensitic or precipitation-hardening grades are best.
  • Weldability & Formability: Austenitic grades offer superior fabrication flexibility.
  • Cost Efficiency: We’ll help you find the best balance between performance and budget. 

Why Mill Steel?  

As a top stainless steel coil supplier and stainless steel distributor, Mill Steel offers: 

  • A robust inventory of stainless steel coils, sheets, and blanks in various thicknesses.
  • Precision processing services including slitting, cutting, and custom finishes.
  • Reliable customer service—we’re here to help you find the best material for your application. 

Looking for stainless steel coil? We stock a wide range of stainless steel coils ready to meet the demands of your business. From light-gauge to heavy-duty applications, we’ve got you covered. 

Nationwide Reach with Local Expertise 

Mill Steel proudly serves customers across the U.S. with strategically located processing and distribution centers to deliver stainless steel quickly and efficiently. Find us in: 

  • Birmingham, AL
  • Detroit, MI
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Houston, TX
  • Jeffersonville, IN
  • Mansfield, OH 

Wherever your business is located, Mill Steel is an easy to work with stainless steel distributor who understands your needs. 

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Stainless Steel 

  1. What is the most corrosion-resistant stainless steel? 316 stainless steel provides top-tier corrosion resistance, especially in harsh environments.
  2. What’s the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel? 316 contains molybdenum, making it more corrosion-resistant than 304, especially against chlorides. Learn more about the differences here.
  3. Is stainless steel magnetic? Austenitic stainless steels (like 304 and 316) are non-magnetic, while ferritic and martensitic grades (409, 410, 430) are magnetic.
  4. What are the advantages of 200 series stainless steel? 200 series stainless steel is a more affordable alternative to 300 series, offering good corrosion resistance and strength while using less nickel.
  5. How do I know which stainless steel grade is best for my project? Consider factors like environment, strength, weldability, and cost. If you’re unsure, our Mill Steel experts can guide you to the best option.
  6. What industries benefit the most from stainless steel coils? Stainless steel coils are widely used in automotive, construction, food processing, medical equipment, and industrial manufacturing.
  7. Where can I find a stainless steel distributor near me? Mill Steel proudly serves customers across North America. With strategic distribution centers and fast delivery, we make it easy to find the stainless steel, aluminum, and carbon steel you need.
  8. What sizes and finishes are available in stainless steel coils? We offer a wide range of stainless steel coil sizes and finishes, including brushed, polished, and mill finish. Custom cuts and slitting are available to match your exact specifications. 

Let’s Work Together

Looking for a stainless steel supplier you can trust? We’re here to provide top-quality materials, expert advice, and fast, reliable service. Contact us today and let’s find the right stainless steel for your next project!

For more information, please visit Decorative Ss Coil And Sheet.