Round Rods — Stainless Steel Round Bars from ULAMEX
Stainless steel round rods (round bars) are solid cylindrical bar products manufactured from grade 1.4301 (AISI 304), supplied in standard length 3000 mm. ULAMEX stocks an extensive range of diameters from 3 mm to 130 mm — one of the broadest selections available from a single European wholesale supplier. Round bars are the most widely used bar form in stainless steel, serving as raw material for turned components, shafts, fasteners, pins, architectural elements, medical instruments and countless other precision and structural applications. With over 35 years in the steel trade, we supply stainless steel round bars to manufacturing and engineering companies across more than 20 European countries.
Material Grades and Properties
Our stainless steel round rods are produced from grade 1.4301 (AISI 304 / X5CrNi18-10), the industry-standard austenitic stainless steel for bar products. This versatile chromium-nickel alloy offers the ideal combination of corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, weldability and machinability required for the broadest range of applications. Smaller diameters (up to approximately 25 mm) are typically supplied in bright-drawn (peeled) condition with tight tolerances, while larger diameters are available in hot-rolled and turned or peeled finish.
| Property | Grade 1.4301 (AISI 304) |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (Rm) | 500–700 MPa |
| Yield Strength (Rp0.2) | min. 190 MPa (annealed), higher for cold-drawn |
| Elongation (A5) | min. 45% |
| Hardness (HB) | max. 215 (annealed) |
| Density | 7.93 kg/dm³ |
| Machinability | Good (HSS and carbide tooling) |
Additional grades available on request: 1.4404 (AISI 316L) for marine, chemical and pharmaceutical environments requiring enhanced corrosion resistance; 1.4305 (AISI 303) for high-volume automatic machining where superior cutting performance is essential; and 1.4571 (AISI 316Ti) for elevated temperature applications up to 400°C.
Available Diameters
Our stainless steel round rods are stocked in standard length 3000 mm. The table below shows the complete range of diameters available from our warehouse. Bars marked with * are also available in polished (ground) finish for precision applications.
| Length: 3000mm | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ø3 | Ø4 | Ø5 | Ø6 | Ø7 | Ø8 | Ø10* |
| Ø12* | Ø13 | Ø14 | Ø15 | Ø17 | Ø18 | Ø20 |
| Ø22 | Ø24 | Ø25 | Ø30 | Ø32 | Ø35 | Ø36 |
| Ø40 | Ø45 | Ø50 | Ø55 | Ø60 | Ø65 | Ø70 |
| Ø80 | Ø85 | Ø90 | Ø110 | Ø120 | Ø130 | |
*Other dimensions and types available on request. Custom cut-to-length service available for all diameters. Total range: 34 diameters from 3 mm to 130 mm.
Applications
Stainless steel round rods are the most versatile bar product in the metals industry, serving as the starting material for an enormous variety of machined, forged and fabricated components. Their circular cross-section makes them ideal for turning, grinding and centreless grinding operations.
- CNC Machining and Turned Parts: Primary raw material for automatic and CNC lathes producing shafts, spindles, pins, bushings, spacers, couplings, valve stems and precision-machined components for every industry. Diameters from 3 mm for miniature precision parts to 130 mm for heavy-duty shafts.
- Food and Beverage Processing: Mixer shafts, agitator rods, conveyor rollers, guide pins and equipment components in dairy, brewing, meat processing and bakery applications. The smooth, non-porous surface of stainless steel prevents bacterial colonisation and simplifies CIP cleaning.
- Architecture and Design: Handrail supports, balustrade balusters, curtain rod elements, furniture legs, signage posts and decorative fittings. Polished (mirror or satin) finish available for visible architectural installations.
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry: Reactor stirrer shafts, pump shafts, valve components, heat exchanger tube supports and instrument housings in corrosive process environments. Grade 316L for chloride-exposed applications.
- Fastener Manufacturing: Raw material for producing bolts, studs, threaded rods, anchors and custom fasteners in stainless steel. Diameters from 6 mm to 30 mm cover the most common fastener sizes.
- Medical and Laboratory Equipment: Instrument shafts, orthopedic pins, surgical tool blanks and laboratory stand rods. Grade 304 for general laboratory use; grade 316L for implant-adjacent and sterilisation-intensive applications.
Standards and Certifications
Stainless steel round rods from ULAMEX comply with EN 10088-3 for stainless steel bars, rods and sections. Dimensional tolerances conform to EN 10278 (bright steel products, cold-drawn) and EN 10060 (hot-rolled round bars). Surface finish quality follows EN 10088-3 specifications for peeled, turned, ground and bright-drawn conditions. Material test certificates EN 10204 Type 3.1 are available on request, confirming chemical composition, mechanical properties and heat traceability for each delivery batch. ULAMEX holds EN 1090 certification for structural steelwork and ISO 3834 for welding quality management — see our certifications page.
Why ULAMEX
- over 38 years in the steel trade — trusted wholesale supplier since 1988
- 34 diameters from stock — from Ø3 mm to Ø130 mm, one of the broadest round bar ranges in European wholesale
- 60,000 m² warehouse — comprehensive stainless steel inventory for immediate dispatch
- EN 1090 + ISO 3834 certified — documented quality management for industrial customers
- Cut-to-length service — precision sawing to your specified dimensions for all diameters
- Multiple grades available — 304, 316L, 303 and 316Ti on request from a single source
- Complete stainless steel range — combine round bars with square bars, profiles, sheets and pipes
- 3.1 mill certificates on request — full traceability per EN 10204
- Delivery to 20+ European countries — efficient logistics from our Polish warehouse
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between stainless steel 304 and 316L for round bars?
Grade 1.4301 (304) is the standard and most widely used stainless steel for round bar applications. It offers excellent corrosion resistance in atmospheric, freshwater and mildly chemical environments and is the most cost-effective austenitic grade. Grade 1.4404 (316L) adds approximately 2% molybdenum for significantly improved resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-containing environments — marine, chemical processing, pharmaceutical and food industry applications with chlorinated cleaning. If your parts will be exposed to saltwater, acids or aggressive cleaning solutions, we recommend 316L.
What tolerances are available for stainless steel round bars?
Dimensional tolerances depend on the production method. Bright-drawn (cold-drawn) bars are typically supplied to tolerance class h11 per EN 10278, providing diameters accurate to approximately +0/-0.1 mm for bars up to 25 mm. Turned (peeled) bars offer tolerance class h9 or better, with tighter control for precision machining applications. Hot-rolled bars conform to standard tolerances per EN 10060. Specify your tolerance requirements when requesting a quote and our team will confirm the appropriate product.
Can ULAMEX supply polished (ground) stainless steel round bars?
Yes. Selected diameters (marked with * in our stock table) are available in ground and polished finish for applications requiring a smooth, bright surface — such as decorative handrails, instrument shafts and visible machine components. Centreless-ground bars offer excellent surface roughness (Ra values typically below 0.8 μm) and the tightest dimensional tolerances. Contact us for availability in your required diameter.
Are stainless steel round bars available in lengths other than 3000 mm?
Our standard stock length is 3000 mm. We offer a cut-to-length sawing service for shorter pieces, and bars in 6000 mm lengths can be sourced on request for projects requiring longer sections. For high-volume orders, mill-direct production in custom lengths is possible. Contact our export team at [email protected] or +48 504 424 761 with your length and quantity requirements.