Atlas Steels Releases Guide on Choosing Stainless Steel Sheets

December 22, 2025

Is it the gleaming surface finish or the hidden material composition that defines the worth of stainless steel sheets? In industrial manufacturing, architectural decoration, and various other fields, stainless steel sheets play an indispensable role due to their exceptional corrosion resistance, aesthetic appeal, and workability. However, with numerous options available in the market, selecting the appropriate material type, specifications, and surface treatment according to practical requirements has become a critical challenge for engineers, designers, and procurement professionals.

1. Material Selection: Balancing Performance and Application

Stainless steel sheets are available in various grades, primarily including austenitic, ferritic, and duplex types, each offering unique performance advantages and application ranges. Below are key characteristics of commonly used grades:

Grade	Main Composition	Characteristics	Typical Applications
304/304L	Cr, Ni	Excellent corrosion resistance, good weldability and cold workability. 304L (low carbon version) is preferable for welding applications to minimize intergranular corrosion risks.	Food processing equipment, medical devices, architectural decoration, chemical containers
316/316L	Cr, Ni, Mo	Superior corrosion resistance in chloride environments, particularly suitable for marine, chemical, and food industries. 316L is the preferred choice for welding applications.	Coastal architecture, ship components, chemical equipment, pharmaceutical devices
2205	Cr, Ni, Mo, N	Combines the toughness of austenitic steel with the strength of ferritic steel. Offers better corrosion resistance than 304/316 with nearly double the tensile strength of 304, plus excellent stress corrosion cracking resistance.	Petrochemical, marine engineering, pulp and paper industries
4003/3CR12	Cr	Cost-effective ferritic stainless steel with good weldability and formability. While its wear resistance surpasses austenitic grades, its corrosion resistance is relatively lower.	Non-critical structural components, vehicle parts, mining equipment
4003Ti/3CRTi	Cr, Ti	Titanium-enhanced version of 4003/3CR12 with improved welding performance and high-temperature strength.	Non-critical structural components, vehicle parts, mining equipment

2. Specification Selection: Thickness, Width, and Length Considerations

When selecting stainless steel sheet specifications, the following factors should be considered:

Thickness: Directly affects strength, rigidity, and corrosion resistance. Standard thickness ranges from 0.45mm to under 3.0mm, with custom options available.
Width: Determines coverage area and material utilization. Standard widths include 914mm, 1219mm, 1500mm, and 2000mm, with custom options available.
Length: Influences application scope and processing difficulty. Standard lengths include 1829mm and 2438mm, with custom options available.

3. Surface Treatment: Enhancing Aesthetics and Functionality

Surface treatments affect both appearance and performance characteristics such as corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and cleanliness. Common options include:

Surface Treatment	Characteristics	Typical Applications
2B	Smooth, slightly reflective finish achieved through cold rolling, heat treatment, and pickling	General purpose applications
No.4	Uniform textured surface created by polishing with abrasive belts or brushes	Architectural decoration, kitchen equipment
BA	Mirror-like glossy finish achieved through bright annealing in protective atmosphere	Decorative applications

Additional protective options include paper interleaving, PE protective film, laser cutting film, and deep-drawing PVC film for specialized processing requirements.