Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate

Stainless Steel Metal Sheet vs Plate

While stainless sheets and plates sound like the same product, they differ in thickness and durability. The difference between stainless steel sheet and plate can quickly be determined by checking the stainless steel sheet gauge; the higher gauge stainless steel thickness, the thinner the metal. Some of the unique features of both SS sheet metal and plate include the following:

Stainless Steel Sheet

• Generally less than 6mm thick
• Thinner than SS plate
• Lightweight residential and architectural applications

Stainless Steel Plate

• Often thicker than 6mm
• High tensile strength
• Good durability
• Heavy-duty applications

Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate Material Grade Advantages

Stainless steel 304 and 316 provide durability and corrosion resistance for indoor and outdoor applications. There are, however, a few slight differences between the two alloy grades that you should consider before selecting a material for your project.

304 Stainless Steel Sheet Metal & Plate

Grade 304 stainless steel has a high nickel and chromium content, which provides excellent corrosion resistance, making it an ideal option for a broad range of light-duty and general-purpose applications. Stainless steel 304 sheet and plate advantages include:

• Excellent formability
• Nonmagnetic
• Easy to fabricate

316 Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate

Like 304 SS, grade 316 stainless steel also has high nickel and chromium content; adding molybdenum further improves the corrosion resistance, especially against chlorides or chlorinated substances. These properties make grade 316 stainless steel sheet and plate ideal for medical applications, marine environments, refining or chemical processing, and other highly corrosive environments. Stainless steel 316 sheet and plate advantages include:

• Advanced corrosion and pitting resistance
• Excellent weight-bearing properties
• Superior durability
• Nonmagnetic

Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate Style Options

We offer stainless steel sheets & stainless steel plates in various alloys, finishes, thicknesses, and lengths for your unique industrial applications.

Standard Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate

We provide stainless steel 304 and 316 plate and sheet in thicknesses up to 1/2” or 26 GA and 96” or 120” lengths. Finish options include #1 finish annealed plate, #8 mirror, 2B, or #4.

Perforated Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate

Our perforated stainless-steel sheets feature a staggered hole pattern with an option of hole sizes ranging from 1/8” to 3/4”. Choose from 16 GA or 20 GA thickness and 48” or 96” length.

Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate Applications 

Stainless steel sheet metal and plate provide low maintenance, corrosion resistance solutions for various industries, including aerospace, appliance manufacturing, consumer electronics, machinery, and transportation. Some of the typical uses for stainless steel sheets and plates include:

• Food Processing & Handling
• Storage Tanks
• Heat Exchangers
• Electrical Enclosures
• Chemical Process Vessels
• Conveyors
• Architectural & Construction
• Marine Parts & Equipment

IMS is Your Locally Trusted Steel & Metal Supply Company

In the market for stainless steel sheets and plates? With seven locations in California and Arizona and delivery throughout Nevada, IMS is a full-service stainless steel supplier that understands your needs. Whether you’re a large government contract supplier or a one-person welding shop, we have you covered. Our inventory of metal products includes a broad range of metal shapes and an extensive selection of alloys. We offer the following advantages:

• Same-day will-call pick up
• Next-day local delivery
• Super-fast shipping turnarounds
• Excellent high-volume discount pricing
• 400,000 square feet of warehouse space
• Custom cut-to-size metal production
• ISO 9001 certified
• Unprecedented customer service

• Material management (stocking and delivery on a scheduled basis)
• Credit lines with good terms
• Seven stores are open six days a week (check each location for specific times)
• Shop by metal alloy

Stainless Steel Sheet Metal Custom Cutting Services

Looking for a convenient and reliable process for cutting stainless steel sheets? Whether your project requires cuts to a fraction of an inch or more involved cuts requiring laser, water, or plasma cutting, IMS provides custom cut-to-size on our stainless sheet metal products based on your specifications.

Contact Industrial Metal Supply for Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate Available in Southern CA, AZ & Northern Mexico

IMS is a direct stainless steel supplier of 304 and 316 SS sheet and plate products to customers throughout California, Arizona, and Northern Mexico. We make metal buying easy by providing multiple purchasing options with all orders.
Browse our online stainless steel plate and sheet product catalog, request a quote, or contact us to discuss your metal needs. You can also stop by one of our California or Arizona locations today to check out our diverse inventory of stainless steel plates and sheets.