C33 · Metal Products
Stainless Steel Sheets for Metal Products Industry: 304/316L Selection and 15 Part Lists
In the metal products industry, we have compiled 15 parts using stainless steel: commonly used 304 / 316L / 316, with thickness ranging from 0.025–500 mm.
15 Part Lists and Material Recommendations
| Part / Component | Recommended Grade | Specifications / Thickness | Surface | Main Failure Modes | Reference Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weld Neck Flanges DN15–DN600 | 304/304L/316/316L/321 | PN10–PN100 | 2B/Polished/Acid Pickled | Corrosion of Medium + Seal Face Leakage | GB/T 9115；GB/T 3280 |
| Flat Weld Neck Flanges DN15–DN1200 | 304/316L | PN6–PN40 | 2B/Polished | Welding HAZ Intergranular Corrosion | GB/T 9119；GB/T 3280 |
| Custom Flanges / Equipment Flanges | 316L/904L/2205 | Per Drawing 10–200mm | Polished/Die Cast Surface | Severe Corrosion + High Pressure Seal Failure | NB/T 47008 |
| 90°/45° Elbows (Welded) | 304L/316L/321/310S | DN15–DN1200；Sch5S–160 | Pickled/2B | Erosion Corrosion + Welding Joint HAZ Corrosion | GB/T 12459；GB/T 12771 |
| Straight / Offset Throttles | 304/304L/316/316L | DN15–DN1200 | Bright/Dip | Rough Flow + Cl⁻ Erosion | GB/T 12459 |
| Flanged Fittings | 316L | DN15–DN100; Wall Thickness 0.8–2.0mm | Bright/Passivated | Seal Ring Aging + Tube End SCC | GB/T 19228.1；CJ/T 152 |
| Caps/Faceplates | 304/316L | DN15–DN600 | 2B/Passivated | Weld Defects → SCC | GB/T 12459 |
| Hex Bolts M6–M36 | 304（A2-70）/316（A4-70） | M6–M36 | Natural/Degreased | Cl⁻ Erosion/Gap Corrosion; Hydrogen Embrittlement | GB/T 3098.6；GB/T 3280 |
| Mechanical Screws/Self-Tapping Screws | 302/304 | M2–M8 | Natural/Degreased | Repetitive Disassembly Wear + Corrosion | GB/T 3098.6 |
| Rod-Machined Nuts | 303 | M4–M30 | Clean | Corrosion Resistant Below 304/316 | GB/T 3098.6；GB/T 1220 |
| Cladding Outdoor Dowel/Bolts | S31608（316） | Diameter ≥ 6mm | Passivated | Outdoor Atmosphere + Rainwater + Pollutants | GB/T 3098.6；JGJ 133 |
| Disc Spring / Wave Spring | 301/304/316/17-7PH | Sheet 0.1–3.0mm | Polished / 2B | Stress Relaxation + Fatigue Fracture + Corrosion | GB/T 1972；GB/T 3280 |
| Stainless Steel Bearings | 440C（9Cr18Mo） | Bearings Wall Thickness 1–10mm | Quenched + Polished | Contact Fatigue + Pitting Corrosion | GB/T 308.1；GB/T 1220 |
| Stainless Wire Fabric / Weaving Net | 304/316L | 20–500 Mesh; Wire Diameter 0.025–0.5mm | Polished | Blockage + Wear + Cl⁻ Corrosion | GB/T 17492；GB/T 3280 |
| Vane Filter/Screen Drum Core | 304/316L/904L | Gap 25μm–2mm | Pickling/Electrolysis | Blockage + Wear + Corrosion | By equipment standards; GB/T 3280 |
Table isStandard Configuration. Same part may use 304, 316L, or 2205 based on different media, temperature, and welding method —— Explain the usage conditions instead of specifying grades.
Material Points
- Most common grades in this industry are 304 (9), 316L (9), 316 (5) —— Parentheses indicate affected areas; use as starting point for quoting and material procurement.
- Wear parts (edges, liners, conveyors) consider hardness, not just corrosion resistance (5/15 hits).
- Welding parts watch sensitization and chloride ion stress corrosion cracking (SCC) (4/15 hits).
- Thickness range 0.025–500 mm: Thin plates are mostly formed pieces (consider bending rebound and deep drawing cracks), thick plates are mostly welded structures (consider heat input and sensitization).
Common Issues
Which stainless steel is used most in metal manufacturing?
Top 15 parts by total number: 304 (9), 316L (9), 316 (5).
Which part has the highest failure rate?
Typical case: "90°/45° elbow (welded joint)" - erosion corrosion + intergranular corrosion at weld. Recommended grades: 304L, 316L, 321, 310S; DN15–DN1200; Sch5S–160.
What thickness should I choose?
Thickness range in the list: 0.025–500 mm. Thin plates for forming and surface quality, thick plates for welding strength and structural integrity; different manufacturers may have different values based on your drawings or operating conditions. Recheck with your specific situation.
Related materials and adjacent industries
304Materials and specifications304LMaterials and specifications316LMaterials and specifications321Materials and specifications2205Materials and specificationsAgricultural food processingFood ProcessingFood manufacturingFood ManufacturingBeer, beverage, and refined tea manufacturingBeverage & Brewing
Applications15
Grades025/500