STAINLESS STEEL

We supply stainless steel in most of the raw material forms: foil, sheet, plate, bar, tube, forging, wire and welding rod. In this section we will list the standard sizes available, but keep in mind that we can probably provide most any size by having standard material ground or chemically milled to the specific size and tolerance you need.

Steel producers have given various designations to the respective grades of stainless steel. In order to establish a uniform system, however, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has assigned type numbers for most grades which are regarded as the standard for the industry. In this traditional three digit system, the first digit indicates the series or group and the last two digits indicate the specific type. Modifications of types are indicated by suffix letters. The series designations identify the following groups:

Another widely used designation system is the United Numbering System (UNS) which had its origin in a cooperative effort of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to develop a means by which each metal and alloy could be assigned a unique designator to preclude any multiplicity of metals or alloys having the same idenitifier. All stainless steels are identified under this system with the letter "S" followed by five digits.

The majority of the most common types are non-magnetic and cannot be hardened by heat treatment. Stainless steel is generally supplied in the annealed condition unless otherwise specified.

There are three general classification specifications that cover all common stainless steel grades in sheet and plate. They are ASTM-A-240, ASME-SA-240 and QQ-S-766. Additionally, the appropriate military and AMS specifications are listed below.

The most commonly available size of stainless steel sheets is 36" x 120", although 48" x 120" is available in some types and thicknesses. Also note that the requirements of 1000 pounds or more may be leveled from coil and therefore cut to the exact length needed to best produce the finished parts. Listed above are the standard thicknesses and their estimated weights.

Stainless steel plates are produced by the mills in widths of 48", 72", and 96", and in lengths of 120", 144" and 240". These stock sized plates are then sheared or plasma-cut to your desired size. Plasma cutting can be used to cut circles and intricate shapes as well as rectangles. Listed above are the common thicknesses and their approximate weights.

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