Distributor of stock and custom stainless steel sheet metal products including embossed, textured and perforated sheets in either 304 or 316 alloy. Also provides plasma, water jet and laser cutting services; serving the aerospace, automotive, industrial and housewares industries.
Price for 18 gauge stainless steel sheet can vary significantly based on its application. Before selecting one that best meets your needs, there are various considerations to keep in mind such as weight and material type.
Cost
The cost of stainless steel sheet can depend on both where and when it’s purchased, as well as its availability at that moment in time. 16-gauge is usually more costly than 18-gauge but may differ between suppliers; coupon or deal offerings could help to make price variations much smaller; plus grade choice also plays a factor.
304 stainless steel is one of the most widely used grades of stainless steel, making it an excellent choice for many applications due to its versatility. It offers good corrosion resistance against most chemical corrodents and marine environments. Furthermore, it can withstand higher temperatures than other grades, making 304 ideal for high temperature applications such as welding applications or high temperature furnace environments.
Brushing is one of the many finishing options available for 304 stainless steel sheet, offering it an attractive yet subdued sheen with small parallel lines that give a distinct visual appearance. Brushing can make architectural applications stand out against more reflective finishes while offering sun reflection control outdoors. This finish also makes an effective outdoor choice as the subdued shine makes sunlight reflection less unattractive than highly reflective options.
Other finishes for 304 stainless steel sheet include matte, 2B, BA, No. 4, and customer specific polishes – with matte usually being the least costly option and custom polishes being most costly. Before making your selection it is vitally important that you consult the SS Plate Gauge Chart so as to ensure you purchase an adequate thickness for your application.
Durability & Strength
Stainless steel is one of the strongest and most adaptable building materials on the market. Easy to work with and suitable for a range of uses, its resilience makes it one of the go-to choices when it comes to projects of any kind. Furthermore, this metal’s corrosion and rust resistance make it suitable for almost every environment or chemical exposure; but note that not all stainless steel types are fully corrosionproof as certain chemicals or environments could still damage it; before selecting one specifically tailored to your project needs.
A piece of stainless steel’s resistance to corrosion depends on the amount of chromium present. Both chromium and nickel have anti-rusting properties, so their addition boosts overall anti-corrosion properties; however, as both elements tend to be more costly than iron they are typically added at variable levels by smelters in order to control costs for consumers.
As an example, stainless steel with higher nickel content tends to be stronger and more durable than its low nickel-content counterpart, though it may also be more costly. Therefore, when selecting your type of stainless steel it’s essential that your project needs and budget are taken into consideration first.
Stainless steel stands up well against corrosion and heat damage, making it an excellent material for kitchen items such as cookware or cooktops that may come into direct contact with flame or be placed directly into an oven without fear of ruining it. Furthermore, its resilience makes it ideal for seawater environments as it can withstand exposure to salty atmosphere and other ocean contaminants without succumbing to corrosion or degradation from saltwater environments.
While 304 is the most frequently encountered grade of stainless steel, it’s essential to remember that various other grades offer distinct uses and benefits. For instance, marine applications commonly utilize 316 due to its ability to withstand harsh marine environments without corrosion damage while its strength makes it suitable for cars and aircraft applications.
When shopping for stainless steel products, it’s advisable to bring a magnet along to help determine its grade and avoid purchasing products which don’t meet your specifications.
Corrosion & Stain Resistance
Stainless steel is highly corrosion-resistant, remaining in great condition over time with proper care. It makes an excellent choice for kitchen equipment or other items likely to experience rigorous usage and abuse; some grades of stainless steel may even have greater corrosion resistance than others; for instance 316 grade is ideal in coastal environments due to an increase in nickel content.
Recyclability of stainless steel is another benefit. According to Napa Recycling website, stainless steel can be recycled endlessly without losing its desirable properties – making it an eco-friendly option compared to aluminum or other materials such as fiberglass. Furthermore, its recycling benefits contributes to both its low price and durability.
Chrome is the cornerstone of stainless steel alloys, imparting them with their anti-corrosive and rustproof qualities. Some stainless steel alloys also incorporate other metals such as nickel and molybdenum to increase strength while also improving their ability to tolerate heat.
Consider corrosion and stain resistance when selecting the type of stainless steel to use for your application. 18/0 stainless steel is one such inexpensive yet nondurable type; although its cast with 18% chromium and 8% nickel content it often includes other metals in such low amounts that they’re unlisted here.
Stainless steels have a variety of uses in architecture, industrial equipment and household items like flatware. Additionally, stainless steel can also be found in food processing equipment as well as outdoor structures like railings, bollards and stairways. Furthermore, this non-magnetic material makes maintenance simple – which makes them popular choices among restaurants because bacteria buildup is easily eliminated through regular cleaning routines. When considering stainless steel as a material option for your project it’s essential that you consult with knowledgeable vendors to help identify which grade of stainless steel fits best your application and budget requirements.
Availability
Stainless steel sheet is available in multiple gauges; the higher the gauge number is, the thinner the metal. Clients can use an SS Sheet Gauge Chart to find their ideal thickness; this resource can help in construction projects as well as manufacturing operations or industrial settings.
Stainless steel sheet can be customized to your customer’s exact specifications for ease of installation and working with it. Furthermore, its corrosion-resistance and strength make it a versatile material perfect for many uses; such as kitchen equipment, medical devices, chemical containers, springs and other products manufactured from stainless steel.
304 stainless steel sheet is available in multiple finishes, such as 2B, No. 4, and brushed. Its durability makes it popular choice among various projects due to its corrosion and stain-resistance; and versatility makes it cost-effective alternative to galvanized steel and aluminum materials such as galvanizing. Ideal applications include dairy processing equipment; hospital hardware; marine hardware applications as well as architectural uses – but some forms may become magnetic upon working due to being non heat treatable.
