Stainless Steel Plate Thickness Classification and Selection Guide
Stainless steel plate thickness plays a crucial role in determining how stainless steel is applied across industries. Known for its metallic luster, durability, and corrosion resistance, stainless steel is widely used in construction, machinery, chemical processing, and even household products. From ultra-thin foil to heavy industrial plates, stainless steel plate sizes are available in a wide range, and Ganyeah Group provides both standard and customized solutions to meet different project requirements.
Standard stainless steel plate sizes in warehouse
Classification of Stainless Steel Plate by Thickness
Stainless steel plates are generally produced within a 1–16 mm thickness range, but much thinner and thicker products also exist. By category, stainless steel sheets and plates can be divided as follows:
- Stainless steel foil: Below 0.05 mm.
- In 2018, China successfully developed stainless steel foil as thin as 0.02 mm, about one-quarter the thickness of an A4 sheet of paper. Due to its extreme thinness, this “hand tear steel” can literally be ripped apart by hand.
- Ultra-thin strip: 0.05–0.5 mm.
- Thin plate: 0.5–4 mm.
- Medium plate: 4–20 mm.
- Thick plate: 20–60 mm.
- Extra-thick plate: Over 60 mm.
This classification makes it easy for engineers and buyers to select stainless steel plate thickness according to performance, weight, and cost considerations.
Common Specifications and Dimensions
Different stainless steel plate sizes are produced depending on thickness and rolling method:
- Thickness < 1.5 mm (cold rolled): Typically 1 m or 1.219 m wide; also available in 1.5 m, 1.8 m, and 2 m.
- Thickness 1.5–3 mm (cold rolled): Standard widths include 1 m, 1.219 m, and 1.5 m; 1.8 m and 2 m are optional.
- Thickness > 3 mm (cold rolled): Most commonly 1.5 m wide, but 1.8 m and 2 m options are available.
These variations in stainless steel plate dimensions allow for flexible use in construction, industrial equipment, transportation, and decorative projects.
How Stainless Steel Plate Thickness Is Measured
During rolling, the heated rolls may deform slightly, causing plates to be thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges. To ensure accuracy, national standards require thickness measurement at the center of the plate head.
Customers can choose between large tolerance and small tolerance stainless steel plate options, depending on budget and performance requirements. This flexibility ensures that the selected stainless steel plate thickness meets both technical needs and cost targets.
Choosing the Right Thickness for Stainless Steel Plates and Pipes
When selecting stainless steel materials, thicker is not always better. Ganyeah recommends choosing a stainless steel plate thickness that satisfies durability and safety requirements while avoiding unnecessary expense.
Our stainless steel pipes, for example, are designed to deliver:
- Up to 70 years of service life,
- Strong resistance to seismic activity and impact,
- Excellent anti-corrosion and anti-rust performance.
This balance of performance and cost-efficiency makes Ganyeah stainless steel plates and pipes suitable for a wide range of industries.
Ganyeah’s Stainless Steel Supply and Customization
As a leading stainless steel supplier, Ganyeah Group offers a complete range of products, from ultra-thin stainless steel foil to heavy plates for demanding applications. We can produce stainless steel sheets and plates in customized thicknesses, widths, and lengths according to client specifications.
Whether you require thin stainless steel sheets for precision equipment, medium plates for construction, or thick plates for industrial machinery, Ganyeah delivers high-quality products with reliable performance.