Stainless Steel, Duplex & Nickel Alloy Sheets
Sheet is flat material under 3/16" (4.76 mm; 5.00 mm in metric A480M) thick, bought for its surface as much as its alloy. Choose the material family, then the grade, then the finish. We supply stainless, duplex, nickel-alloy and carbon steel sheet as full sheets or cut to size, with EN 10204 3.1 certificates.
- ASTM A480
- ASTM B906
Reviewed by the Kanak Steel & Engineering Co. technical team · Updated October 2026
What is sheet, and how is it specified?
Sheet is flat-rolled metal thinner than 3/16" (4.76 mm), usually cold rolled and supplied in a defined surface finish such as 2B, BA or No.4. In stainless and duplex it is ordered to ASTM A240 with finishes and tolerances from ASTM A480; nickel-alloy sheet has its own specifications — B424 for Alloy 825, B443 for 625 and B575 for C276.
How to order sheets: checklist
- Grade and specification — e.g. ASTM A240 316L or ASTM B424 N08825
- Thickness × width × length (or coil), with tolerance basis
- Surface finish — 2B, BA, No.4, No.1
- Edge — mill edge or slit edge
- PVC film or paper interleaving if the surface matters
- Certificate — EN 10204 3.1, or 3.2 with third-party inspection
Sheet by Material Family and Grade
Every sheet page sits under its grade, and every grade under its family. Start with the family that suits your service, then open the grade's sheet page for its standard, finishes, sizes and weights.
Types of Sheets
Sheet Finishes Explained — 2D, 2B, BA, No.4
The finish is set at the mill. 2B is the default when a drawing says nothing; BA (bright annealed, 2R) is highly reflective; No.4 is brushed; 2D is matt for deep drawing. Nickel alloys are described in words — "cold rolled, annealed and descaled" is the usual one.
| Finish | How it is made | Choose it for |
|---|---|---|
| 2D | Cold rolled, annealed and pickled | Deep drawing; painted or hidden parts |
| 2B | 2D plus a light skin pass on polished rolls | General purpose — the default sheet finish |
| BA (2R) | Bright annealed in a protective atmosphere | Reflective, hygienic and decorative surfaces |
| No.4 | Abrasive polished with a directional grain | Food equipment, panels, architecture |
| No.8 | Polished to a mirror | Decorative and reflective parts |
| Hairline | Long continuous brushed lines | Lift, interior and trim panels |
Which Sheet Grade for Which Service?
A starting point for selection. Confirm against corrosion data for your medium, temperature and chloride level, or send us your process conditions.
| Service | Start with |
|---|---|
| General fabrication, indoor or dry service | SS 304 / 304L |
| Mild chlorides, food and pharma | SS 316L |
| Sulphuric and phosphoric acid, chloride cooling water | SS 904L or Inconel 825 |
| Strength plus chloride resistance | Duplex 2205 |
| Seawater and high chlorides | Super duplex 2507 or Inconel 625 |
| Wet chlorine, mixed acids, FGD linings | Hastelloy C276 / C22 |
| High-temperature oxidation | SS 310S, Inconel 600 or 800 |
| Seawater and hydrofluoric acid | Monel 400 |
How Sheet Standards Fit Together
A purchase order usually names one product standard, but three or four documents decide what arrives. The product specification (ASTM A240 for stainless and duplex, B424, B443, B575 and others for nickel alloys) fixes chemistry and properties. The general-requirements standard (A480 or B906) fixes finish, thickness tolerance and flatness. Corrosion tests apply only if you order them, and the EN 10204 certificate is the proof.
See the standards hub for each document in plain words.
Sheets Grades & Material Standards
| Grade | Material standard | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Inconel 825 | ASTM B424 | Sulphuric and phosphoric acid service, chloride stress-corrosion cracking and sour gas |
| SS 904L | ASTM A240 | Dilute sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and chloride-bearing cooling water |
| SS 304 | ASTM A240 | General corrosion resistance, food, water and architectural work |
| SS 304L | ASTM A240 | Welded tanks, piping and vessels in general corrosive service |
| SS 310 / 310S | ASTM A240 | Furnaces, burners and heat treatment at high temperature |
| SS 316 / 316L | ASTM A240 | Chloride-bearing process fluids, marine air and pharmaceutical service |
| SS 321 | ASTM A240 | High-temperature service between 425 and 815 °C |
| SS 347 | ASTM A240 | Welded high-temperature piping in refineries and power plants |
| Duplex 2205 | ASTM A240 | Strength with chloride resistance at a stainless-steel budget |
| Super Duplex 2507 | ASTM A240 | Seawater and high-chloride service where strength also matters |
| Inconel 600 | ASTM B168 | High-temperature oxidation, caustic and nuclear service |
| Inconel 625 | ASTM B443 | Seawater, high strength and high temperature in one alloy |
| Inconel 718 | ASTM B670 · AMS 5596 | Very high strength at temperatures up to about 650 °C |
| Incoloy 800 / 800H / 800HT | ASTM B409 | Furnaces, petrochemical heaters and high-temperature piping |
| Hastelloy C276 | ASTM B575 | The most aggressive mixed acids, wet chlorine and hypochlorite |
| Hastelloy C22 | ASTM B575 | Mixed oxidising and reducing acids, and weld overlays |
| Monel 400 | ASTM B127 | Seawater, hydrofluoric acid and marine service |
| Super Duplex S32760 | ASTM A240 | Seawater firewater, injection and offshore piping |
| S275JR | EN 10025-2 | General structures, frames and fabrication |
| S355J2+N | EN 10025-2 | Heavy structures, cranes and offshore frames |
| IS 2062 E250 / E350 | IS 2062 | Structures, fabrication and general engineering in India |
Guides, tools & standards for sheets
Sheets for export
FOB / CIF · Nhava Sheva (JNPT), MumbaiSheets — questions buyers ask
What does 2B finish mean on stainless steel sheet?
2B is cold rolled, annealed, pickled and given a light skin pass on polished rolls. It is smooth and moderately reflective, and it is the standard finish when a drawing does not specify one.
What is BA finish?
BA means bright annealed: the sheet is annealed in a protective atmosphere so it keeps a bright, highly reflective surface without pickling. EN 10088-2 calls it 2R.
What is the difference between sheet and plate?
Thickness. Under ASTM A480 and B906, flat material below 3/16" (4.76 mm) is sheet and 3/16" and over is plate. Sheet is chosen for forming and linings; plate for pressure parts and heavy sections.
Which standard covers stainless steel sheet?
ASTM A240 is the product standard for chemistry and properties; ASTM A480 sets finishes, tolerances and flatness. Nickel-alloy sheet uses its own product standard (e.g. B424 for 825) with ASTM B906.
Do you supply sheet cut to size?
Yes. Send finished sizes or a drawing and we quote cut pieces as well as full sheets, with the heat number on every piece.