Stainless Steel Sheets
Giriraj Impex stocks, supplies and exports stainless steel sheets to ASTM A240 / ASME SA240 in grades 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 321, 310S, 409 and 430. We supply stainless steel sheets from approved mills in cold-rolled and hot-rolled thicknesses, in 2B, BA, No. 4, hairline (HL) and mirror finishes, with or without PVC protective film, and with mill test certificates.
Stainless sheet is the material of choice where a thin, formable product must also look good and resist corrosion – process and food equipment, kitchen and hospital fittings, cladding, panels, ducting and enclosures.
Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard | ASTM A240 / ASME SA240; general requirements ASTM A480 |
| Grades | 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 321, 310S (austenitic); 409, 430 (ferritic); dual certified 304/304L and 316/316L |
| Product | Cold-rolled and hot-rolled sheet below 4.76 mm (3/16") thick; heavier material is supplied as stainless steel plates |
| Finishes | 2B, BA, finish 1 (hot rolled, annealed and pickled), No. 4, hairline (HL), No. 8 mirror |
| Sizes | Standard mill sheet sizes; other sizes on enquiry |
| Protection | PVC film or paper interleaving on request |
| Documents | Mill test certificate (MTC); third-party inspection on request |
Choosing grade and finish together
| Application | Usual grade | Usual finish |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical and process equipment | 304L, 316L | 2B |
| Dairy, food and pharmaceutical equipment | 304L, 316L | 2B or No. 4 |
| Commercial kitchens, hospital and lab furniture | 304 | No. 4 or hairline |
| Lift interiors, wall panels, signage | 304 | Hairline, mirror |
| Coastal or chloride exposure | 316L | 2B, No. 4 |
| Heat shields and furnace parts | 310S, 321 | 2B or finish 1 |
| Exhaust systems | 409 | 2B |
| Appliances and indoor trim | 430 | 2B, BA, No. 4 |
A hairline (HL) finish has long, continuous fine lines in one direction and is popular for architectural and lift panels. Rougher, directional finishes hold more dirt in outdoor use, so for coastal façades a smoother finish in 316L is usually recommended.
Composition and mechanical properties
The ASTM A240 requirements for the most popular grades are shown below; the mill test certificate gives the actual values. Detailed pages: SS 304 sheets and plates and SS 316 sheets and plates.
| Grade | UNS | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | Ni | Mo | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | S30400 | 0.07 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 0.75 | 17.5–19.5 | 8.0–10.5 | – | 0.10 |
| 304L | S30403 | 0.030 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 0.75 | 17.5–19.5 | 8.0–12.0 | – | 0.10 |
| 316 | S31600 | 0.08 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 0.75 | 16.0–18.0 | 10.0–14.0 | 2.00–3.00 | 0.10 |
| 316L | S31603 | 0.030 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 0.75 | 16.0–18.0 | 10.0–14.0 | 2.00–3.00 | 0.10 |
Other elements and footnotes as given in the standard.
| Grade | Tensile strength min, MPa (ksi) | Yield strength min, MPa (ksi) | Elongation in 50 mm min, % | Hardness max, HBW / HRB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 40 | 201 / 92 |
| 304L | 485 (70) | 170 (25) | 40 | 201 / 92 |
| 316 | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 40 | 217 / 95 |
| 316L | 485 (70) | 170 (25) | 40 | 217 / 95 |
Values for annealed material.
Forming and welding stainless sheet
Austenitic sheets work-harden as they are bent and drawn, so they need more press force than mild steel and a little more springback allowance. Deep drawing is easier in grades with a higher nickel content. For welded assemblies, the low-carbon grades 304L and 316L prevent sensitisation in the heat-affected zone; heat tint should be removed and the weld area pickled and passivated afterwards. Polished sheets should be fabricated with the protective film still in place, and the film removed after installation.
Ordering stainless steel sheets
Please give the grade, thickness in millimetres, finish on one or both sides, sheet size, quantity and whether protective film is needed. If the sheets will be pressed or deep drawn, mention it so that suitable material can be offered. We check every delivery against the mill test certificate before dispatch and pack sheets flat on pallets.
Cleaning and maintenance
Stainless sheet surfaces stay bright with simple care: wash with warm water and a mild detergent, rinse and wipe dry, working along the grain of brushed finishes. Avoid chloride-based bleaches and hydrochloric acid cleaners, and never use carbon steel wool or brushes, which leave iron particles that rust. In coastal and polluted atmospheres, regular washing removes salt and dirt deposits before they cause tea staining. For food and pharmaceutical equipment, cleaning-in-place chemicals and their concentrations should be checked against the grade – 316L tolerates chlorides better than 304.
Applications and related products
Stainless steel sheets are used for process vessels and tanks, heat-exchanger baffles, food and dairy machinery, commercial kitchens, hospital and laboratory furniture, lifts and escalators, cladding, roofing and signage, transport bodies and electrical enclosures. Coils for continuous processing are covered on the stainless steel coils page and discs on stainless steel circles. For complete process equipment we also supply stainless seamless pipes, welded pipes, tubes, flanges, pipe fittings, fasteners, round bars, wires, rings, angles, channels and flats. Other sheet materials are on the sheets page, and grade details on the stainless steel page.
Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM A240 (ASME SA240) covers chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel plate, sheet and strip. General requirements such as tolerances and finishes are in ASTM A480.
A hairline finish is a brushed finish with long, continuous fine lines running in one direction. It is used for lift panels, wall cladding and architectural trim, where it hides fingerprints and small marks well.
2B is a cold-rolled, annealed and pickled finish with a smooth matt grey look. BA (bright annealed) is annealed in a protective atmosphere, giving a brighter, more reflective surface without pickling.
304 stainless steel with a No. 4 or hairline finish is the usual choice for commercial kitchens and food service equipment. 316 is used where salt, brine or stronger cleaning chemicals are present.
430 is a ferritic grade with lower corrosion resistance than 304. It is mainly used indoors for appliances and trim; for outdoor or coastal exposure, 304 or 316L is recommended.
Yes. Polished and bright finishes can be supplied with PVC protective film, laser-grade film for laser cutting, or paper interleaving, as requested.
Request a Quote for Stainless Steel Sheets
Tell us the product, grade, size, standard, quantity and delivery location, and our sales team will reply with a quotation.