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304 stainless steel, due to its excellent corrosion resistance, good processability, and wide applicability, has become one of the most commonly used stainless steel materials in various fields such as industry, construction, food, and medical care. As one of its common forms, 304 stainless steel plates have a huge demand in the market. However, many users who are purchasing or selecting materials for design for the first time often ask: “What are the standard dimensions of 304 stainless steel plates? Is customization available?” This article will focus on these two core issues, and detailedly analyze the conventional specification parameters, industry standards, as well as the feasibility and precautions of customization services for 304 stainless steel plates. I. What are the “Standard Dimensions” of 304 Stainless Steel Plates? It should be clarified that “standard dimensions” do not refer to a single fixed size, but to the range of commonly used specifications generally adopted in the industry. Different countries and regions (such as China’s GB standard, the United States’ ASTM standard, Japan’s JIS standard, etc.) have slightly different size specifications for stainless steel plates, but there are some common practices overall. 1. Thickness Range 304 stainless steel plates are classified into the following categories by thickness: Thin plates: 0.3mm – 3.0mm Commonly used for decoration, home appliance enclosures, food machinery, etc. Medium plates: 3.0mm – 20mm Widely used in chemical equipment, pressure vessels, building structures, etc. Thick plates: 20mm – 100mm (or even thicker) Mainly used in high-end industrial fields such as heavy machinery, ships, and nuclear power. Among them, the most common commercial inventory thicknesses include: 0.5mm, 0.8mm, 1.0mm, 1.2mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm, 3.0mm, 4.0mm, 6.0mm, 8.0mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, etc. 2. Width and Length The common dimensions of standard flat plates (non-coil plates) are as follows: Width: usually 1000mm, 1219mm (4 feet), 1500mm Among them, 1219mm is an internationally universal width (corresponding to 4 feet), derived from the conversion of imperial units, and is also widely used in China. Length: 2000mm, 2438mm (8 feet), 3000mm, 6000mm The combination of 2438mm (8 feet) and 1219mm (4 feet) forms a “4×8 feet” plate, which is the most common standard flat plate size worldwide. Therefore, the most common standard size combination is: 1219mm × 2438mm (4’×8′), with thickness ranging from 0.5mm to 20mm depending on the application. Note: 304 stainless steel in the form of coil usually has a width of 1000mm, 1219mm, 1500mm, and a length of up to tens of meters, suitable for continuous stamping or shearing processing. II. Is Customization Available for 304 Stainless Steel Plates? The answer is yes – 304 stainless steel plates fully support customization. In fact, the vast majority of stainless steel processing plants and traders provide on-demand customization services to meet the special needs of different industries. 1. Customizable Dimensions Include: Non-standard thickness: such as non-integer or unconventional thicknesses like 1.75mm, 5.5mm, 25mm, etc. Special sizes: such as large plates like 1800mm × 4000mm, 2500mm × 8000mm, or small precision parts like 300mm × 300mm. Surface treatment: 2B (bright annealing), BA (mirror finish), No.1 (hot-rolled), No.4 (brushed), 8K (high mirror finish), etc., which can be selected according to the application. Edge treatment: rough edge, cut edge, ground edge, chamfer, etc. Material certification: providing special certifications such as SGS, RoHS, FDA, plates for pressure vessels (e.g., 304L), etc. 2. The Customization Process is Generally as Follows: The customer provides technical parameters: including thickness, length and width, tolerances, surface requirements, application, etc. The supplier evaluates feasibility: confirming whether there is raw material inventory or production scheduling is required. Quotation and sampling: small-batch trial production (if necessary). Mass production and quality inspection: testing in accordance with ISO or customer standards (such as spectral analysis, hardness testing, flatness inspection, etc.). Packaging and delivery: moisture-proof and scratch-proof packaging, suitable for long-distance transportation. 3. Precautions for Customization Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): Some manufacturers have MOQ requirements for non-standard sizes, especially for thick plates or special surface treatments. Delivery cycle: standard products can usually be shipped in 1–3 days, while customized products may take 7–30 days, depending on the process complexity. Cost difference: the unit price of customized plates is usually higher than that of standard plates, especially when special smelting, heat treatment or finishing processes are involved. Tolerance control: it is essential to clarify the tolerance requirements for thickness, flatness, diagonal lines, etc., to avoid installation or assembly problems. III. How to Choose Between Standard Plates and Customized Plates? This depends on the specific application scenario: Applicable Scenarios for Standard Plates: For occasions with low requirements for dimensional accuracy, such as kitchen equipment, shelves, general decoration, chassis enclosures, etc., selecting 1219×2438mm standard plates can significantly reduce costs and shorten delivery cycles. Applicable Scenarios for Customized Plates: For example, if medical device panels require specific rounded corners and mirror effects, chemical reactors require 25mm thick plates, building curtain walls require ultra-wide plates (such as 2000mm wide), etc., customization is necessary to meet functional and safety requirements. In Summary Although 304 stainless steel plates have industry-accepted “standard dimensions” (such as 1219×2438mm, thickness 0.5–20mm), their real advantage lies in a high degree of customizability. Whether it is thickness, size, surface, or performance indicators, the modern stainless steel industry chain can flexibly respond to customers’ diverse needs. When purchasing, it is recommended to balance cost, delivery cycle and performance according to the actual application, and fully communicate with professional suppliers to ensure that the selected specifications can not only meet technical requirements but also have economy and feasibility.