Stainless steel sheet: grades, finishes and forms
Stainless steel sheet is the flat product behind food and pharmaceutical equipment, architectural cladding, marine and industrial fabrication, and the finish matters as much as the grade. ULAMEX supplies stainless sheet in 304, 316L, 316Ti, ferritic 430 and duplex 2205, in 2B, BA, brushed and mirror finishes, as smooth, perforated and tear plate, to EN 10088, with a 3.1 certificate on request. This guide covers the grades, the finishes, the sheet forms, food-contact rules and how to specify.
What stainless steel sheet is
Stainless steel sheet is a flat rolled product supplied in a range of grades, finishes and forms. Cold-rolled sheet gives the thinner, smoother material used for most fabrication and hygienic surfaces; hot-rolled plate covers the thicker structural product. As with all stainless, the corrosion resistance comes from a minimum chromium content of 10.5 percent, which forms a self-healing passive layer. The grade sets the corrosion performance and the finish sets the surface, so the two are specified together.
Grades for stainless sheet
ULAMEX holds the common austenitic, ferritic and duplex grades in sheet, all supplied to EN 10088-2.
| Grade | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 304 (1.4301) | General-purpose austenitic, formable, weldable | Kitchen and food equipment, cladding, general sheet |
| 316L (1.4404) | Molybdenum-bearing, chloride and marine resistant | Marine, chemical, pharmaceutical, coastal work |
| 316Ti (1.4571) | Titanium-stabilised for elevated temperature | Hot service where 316L is not enough |
| 430 (1.4016) | Ferritic, magnetic, cost-effective | Decorative and light interior sheet |
| Duplex 2205 (1.4462) | High strength, excellent chloride resistance | Severe marine and high-load sheet and plate |
For the full grade selection and properties, see our guides to 304 and 316 stainless steel and duplex 2205. In short: 304 for general work, 316L wherever chlorides or marine exposure are involved, and duplex 2205 where strength and severe chloride resistance are both needed.
Surface finishes
The finish is the defining choice for stainless sheet, because it decides both the appearance and, for hygienic work, the cleanability. ULAMEX supplies the four standard finishes.
| Finish | Description | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 2B | Standard cold-rolled, smooth and slightly reflective | Industrial and general fabrication |
| BA (bright annealed) | Reflective and smoother, produced in a controlled atmosphere | Hygienic food and pharmaceutical surfaces |
| No.4 (brushed) | Directional satin texture from mechanical polishing | Visible architectural surfaces, handrails, cladding |
| No.8 (mirror) | Highly polished, reflective | Decorative and feature panels |
2B is the everyday industrial finish; BA is the hygienic choice for food and pharma; No.4 brushed is the architectural standard for visible surfaces; and No.8 mirror is for feature and decorative work. State the finish on the order line, as it is set at the mill and confirmed on the dispatch note.
Sheet forms: smooth, perforated and tear plate
Beyond smooth sheet, ULAMEX supplies stainless in two worked forms. Perforated sheet has a regular pattern of holes for screening, guarding, ventilation, filtration and decorative panels, in round, square or slotted hole patterns. Tear (checker) plate has a raised anti-slip pattern for flooring, walkways and stairs where a hygienic, corrosion-resistant non-slip surface is needed. Both are supplied in the same grades as smooth sheet, so the corrosion performance is unchanged.
Food contact and hygiene
Grades 304 (1.4301) and 316L (1.4404) are approved for direct food contact under EU Regulation 1935/2004, which is why stainless sheet dominates processing tanks, work surfaces, splashbacks and brewery and dairy equipment. A 2B or BA finish gives the smooth, non-porous surface that a hygiene standard requires, and BA is preferred where the surface has to be cleaned to the highest standard. Where salt, acidic foods or chloride cleaning agents are present, 316L is the grade rather than 304.
Thickness, formats and tolerances
Cold-rolled sheet covers the thinner gauges in 2B and BA finish; hot-rolled and plate cover the thicker material. ULAMEX supplies sheet in standard mill formats and panel sizes, so you take the size a job needs rather than a full sheet. Dimensional tolerances follow EN 10088-2, and the material analysis and an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate are available on request, batch-traceable per shipment. Specify the grade, finish, thickness and sizes with your enquiry for an accurate quotation.
Is stainless sheet magnetic?
It depends on the grade. The austenitic grades 304, 316L and 316Ti are generally non-magnetic in the annealed condition, though cold working can induce slight magnetism. Ferritic 430 is magnetic, and duplex 2205 is magnetic because of its ferrite content. A magnet is therefore a rough sorting aid, not a reliable grade test; the 3.1 certificate confirms the grade.
Fabricating stainless sheet
Stainless sheet folds and forms well, and the austenitic grades weld readily with a matching low-carbon filler (308L for 304, 316L for 316). Two points protect the surface and corrosion resistance: keep stainless away from carbon steel tools and grinding media to avoid iron contamination that later rusts, and choose a low-carbon grade for welded fabrication to avoid carbide precipitation. A welded fabrication is pickled or passivated afterwards to remove heat tint and restore the full corrosion resistance. For food and pharmaceutical work the finish is specified as tightly as the grade, because a smooth 2B or BA surface and a clean, crevice-free weld are what keep the equipment hygienic and easy to clean down.
Passivation and cleaning
Fabrication can leave a stainless surface with embedded iron, weld heat tint or contamination that reduces corrosion resistance. Passivation, a controlled acid treatment, removes free iron and restores the passive chromium oxide layer, and pickling removes heat tint from welds; together they return the full corrosion resistance of the grade to a finished part. In service, stainless sheet needs only periodic cleaning with water or a mild detergent, while abrasive pads and chloride-based cleaners are avoided because they can scratch the surface or attack the passive layer.
Applications by sector
Stainless sheet serves several sectors with the grade and finish changing to suit. Food and pharmaceutical work uses 304 and 316L in 2B or BA for tanks, surfaces and equipment. Architecture uses 304 and 316 in No.4 brushed or No.8 mirror for facades, cladding, balustrades and lift interiors. Marine and chemical work uses 316L and duplex 2205 for saltwater and aggressive media. Industrial fabrication uses perforated and tear plate for guarding, screening and non-slip flooring.
Stainless sheet versus alternatives
Stainless sheet is chosen where corrosion resistance, hygiene or appearance justify its higher cost than galvanised or aluminium. Galvanised steel sheet is cheaper for structural and outdoor work where a zinc coating handles corrosion; aluminium sheet is lighter and needs no coating but is softer and less strong. Stainless wins for food and pharmaceutical surfaces, chemical exposure and visible architectural work where the finish and durability matter. ULAMEX supplies all three, so a project can source the right sheet, including galvanised steel and aluminium sheet, from one supplier.
Stainless steel sheet from ULAMEX
ULAMEX has supplied stainless steel since 1988, and sheet is a core part of the range, documented for a specification.
| What you get | Detail |
|---|---|
| Grades | 304, 304L, 316L, 316Ti, 430 and duplex 2205 |
| Finishes and forms | 2B, BA, No.4 and No.8; smooth, perforated and tear plate |
| Certification | EN 10088; EN 1090-1 EXC2 and ISO 3834-2; 3.1 certificate per EN 10204 on request |
| Terms | 3.1 certificate on request, no minimum order on stocked SKUs, dispatch 2 to 7 working days |
Need stainless steel sheet for a project? Send your grade, finish, thickness and sizes, and ULAMEX will return a non-binding quotation. Browse the stainless steel sheet range, see our steel and aluminium supply capabilities, or contact the export desk at [email protected] or +48 504 424 761.
Frequently asked questions
What grades is stainless steel sheet available in?
ULAMEX supplies stainless sheet in 304 (1.4301), 316L (1.4404), 316Ti (1.4571), ferritic 430 (1.4016) and duplex 2205 (1.4462). 304 covers general work, 316L covers marine and chemical exposure, and duplex 2205 covers severe chloride and high-load use.
What is a 2B finish?
2B is the standard cold-rolled mill finish for stainless sheet: smooth and slightly reflective. It is the everyday industrial and general-fabrication finish, and with 316L it also meets hygiene requirements for food contact.
What is the difference between 2B and BA finish?
2B is the standard smooth cold-rolled finish. BA (bright annealed) is produced in a controlled atmosphere for a more reflective, smoother surface, which is preferred for hygienic food and pharmaceutical surfaces that must be cleaned to the highest standard.
Which stainless sheet is food-safe?
Grades 304 (1.4301) and 316L (1.4404) are approved for direct food contact under EU Regulation 1935/2004. A 2B or BA finish gives the smooth, non-porous surface needed for hygiene, and 316L is preferred where chlorides or acidic media are present.
What is the difference between No.4 and No.8 finish?
No.4 is a brushed, directional satin finish from mechanical polishing, used for visible architectural surfaces. No.8 is a highly polished mirror finish for decorative and feature panels.
Do you supply perforated or tear stainless sheet?
Yes. Perforated sheet is supplied for screening, guarding, ventilation and decorative panels, and tear (checker) plate for anti-slip flooring and walkways, both in the same grades as smooth sheet.
Does stainless sheet come with a material certificate?
Yes. Sheet is supplied to EN 10088-2 with a 3.1 inspection certificate to EN 10204 on request, batch-traceable per shipment, with no minimum order quantity on stocked SKUs.
Which stainless sheet grade is best for marine use?
316L (1.4404) is the standard marine and coastal sheet grade thanks to its molybdenum content. For severe marine exposure combined with high mechanical load, duplex 2205 (1.4462) provides the highest corrosion resistance.