Stainless plate is what you reach for when the part carries load and still has to resist corrosion: tank bottoms, flanges, pump bases, skid plates for chemical service and marine brackets. We source 304 and 316 plate from 3/16 inch up, arrange plasma or waterjet cutting to your drawing, and deliver across Texas with mill certs when you need them.
What stainless plate is used for and how to choose
Plate starts at 3/16 inch. Anything thinner is sheet. Most stainless plate is hot rolled, annealed and pickled, which leaves a dull, slightly rough #1 finish. That is fine for structural and process parts, but it is not a cosmetic surface. If appearance matters, plan for grinding and polishing after fabrication.
Grade choice follows the service. 304 covers food processing, water handling and general corrosion work. 316 is the pick for brine, produced water, coastal installs, and chemical service where chlorides are present. On welded plate, the low-carbon L grades matter more than on sheet because thick welds take more heat. Heavy sections of straight 304 can lose corrosion resistance next to the weld. Dual-certified 304/304L and 316/316L plate is the norm, and it solves the problem.
Weight adds up fast. A 4 x 8 sheet of 1/2 inch stainless is well over 600 pounds, so check the metal weight calculator before you plan handling and freight.
Stainless plate grades
| Grade/finish | Why pick it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| 304/304L dual cert | General corrosion service, food and water equipment. Welds without sensitizing. | Pits in chlorides and brine. |
| 316/316L dual cert | Chloride, brine, coastal and chemical service. The oilfield and marine default. | Higher cost. Confirm the service actually needs it. |
| #1 finish (HRAP) | Standard plate surface. Fine for process and structural parts. | Rough and dull. Budget for finishing on visible parts. |
| 2B or polished plate | Smoother face on lighter plate for visible equipment. | Not offered in every thickness. Ask before you design around it. |
Common stainless plate sizes
| Thickness | Common plate sizes |
|---|---|
| 3/16 in, 1/4 in | 48 x 96, 48 x 120, 60 x 120, 72 x 144 |
| 5/16 in, 3/8 in, 1/2 in | 48 x 96, 60 x 120, 72 x 144, 96 x 240 |
| 5/8 in, 3/4 in, 1 in | 48 x 96, 60 x 120, 72 x 144, 96 x 240 |
| 1-1/4 in to 2 in | Commonly available; plate sizes vary |
| Over 2 in | Available on request, usually cut from larger plate |
Sizes only. Metal prices move daily, so every order is quoted.
Cut-to-size options for stainless plate
Stainless cannot be cut with an oxy-fuel torch, so plate is cut by plasma, waterjet or laser. Plasma cutting is the fast, economical route for rings, flanges and blanks. It leaves a heat-affected edge with a slight bevel, and it typically holds about a sixteenth of an inch. That is fine for weld prep and parts you will machine anyway.
Waterjet cutting puts no heat into the edge, holds closer size, and leaves no hardened zone, so it is the choice for thick plate, tight hole patterns and parts going straight to assembly. Laser works on the thinner end of plate where the machine allows. If a face or bore must be machined, tell us the finished size and we leave stock on the cut. We arrange the cut through our supply network and quote it with the plate.
What to include in your stainless plate quote request
- Grade, and if you need dual-certified L grade
- Thickness
- Part drawing (DXF or PDF) or blank dimensions
- Edge requirement: as-plasma, waterjet, or machined allowance
- Quantity per part
- Mill certs or specs your customer calls out, like ASTM A240
- Delivery location and any unloading limits