B23 · New Energy Vehicle
Electro-mobility (C36 Independent) Stainless Steel Plate: 316L/304 Selection and 7 Part Lists
For Electro-mobility (C36 Independent), we have organized 7 parts that use stainless steel: commonly used 316L / 304 / 441, with thickness ranging from 0.075 to 700 mm.
7 Part Lists and Material Recommendations
| Part / Component | Recommended Grade | Specifications / Thickness | Surface | Main failure modes | Reference standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel tray/frame (steel/mixed solution) | 441/304 | Tray plate 0.8–2.0mm | 2B/coating/nickel plating | Road salt spray + coolant leak + vibration fatigue; steel alternative for aluminum under mainstream requires corrosion compatibility | T/ZPP 327—2026；GB/T 3280；GB/T 31467 |
| Battery steel shell/covers/connectors/terminals | 304/316L(LiFSI preferred) | Shell wall 0.3–0.8mm; cover plate 0.5–1.5mm | 2B/nickel plating | Electrolyte corrosion (better in 316L than 304) + internal short circuit + vibration fatigue | GB/T 3280; GB/T 31485; OEM material specifications |
| Module end plates/fixings/water cooling connectors | 304/316L/QD2001 | End plate 1–3mm; M6–M10 | 2B/anodizing | Coolant EG+Cl⁻+vibration → pitting/fissure corrosion | GB/T 3280；GB/T 3098.6；GB/T 31467 |
| Heat Management Pipes/Fittings/Exchangers | 304/316L | Wall Thickness 0.5–2mm | Bright/Acid Pickling | Corrosion+Pressure/Temperature Cyclic Fatigue | GB/T 3280；GB/T 31467 |
| Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates | 316L/904L Thin Strip + Coating | 0.075–0.15mm | Coating/Bright | Acid pH2–4+ Electrochemical Cycling→ Pitting+ Contact Resistance Increase | GB/T 20042.1；ASTM A240 |
| Inner Liner 2–8mm | 316L | PN350–700bar | 2B/Treatment | High Pressure Hydrogen→Hydrogen Embrittlement+Cyclic Fatigue | GB/T 33291；ISO 11114-4；GB/T 35544 |
| Hydrogen Inlet/Reducing Valves/High Pressure Connectors | 316L | By Interface | Treatment/Grooved Surface | High Pressure Hydrogen+ Rapid Charge/Discharge Fatigue+Leakage | ISO 19880-1；GB/T 31138 |
In tableStandard configurationMaterial selection
Consider the usage conditions, specify material grades more conveniently.
- The most common grades in this industry are 316L (6), 304 (4), and 441 (1) —— numbers in parentheses indicate the number of affected areas, useful for quoting and material ordering.
- Common sources of corrosion are chloride ions and salt content (point and fretting corrosion, pitting, 2/7 hits).
- Thickness range: 0.075–700 mm (thin plates are formed parts, consider bending rebound and deep drawing cracking; thick plates are welded structures, consider heat input and sensitization).
Common issues
What stainless steel is used most in electric vehicles (separate from C36)?
By total pages, the top 7 parts are: 316L (6), 304 (4), and 441 (1). For specific parts, check media and temperature, e.g., stainless countertops need to switch from 304 to 316L when exposed to saltwater.
Which part is the easiest to go wrong?
Failure description, typically "Battery pack tray/frame (steel/mixed solution)": Salt spray + coolant leak + vibration fatigue; steel alternative for aluminum mainstream requires corrosion resistance match; recommended grade 441/304, plate size 0.8–2.0mm. This type of condition recommends specifying media concentration, temperature, and cleaning method during the design phase.
What thickness should I select?
Thickness range in the list is 0.075–700 mm. For thin plates, consider bending and surface finish; for thick plates, welding and structural strength. Values may vary by manufacturer for the same location, review your drawing or operating conditions.
Related Materials and Adjacent Industries
Applications7