ASTM A240
Chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel plate, sheet and strip
The product specification for stainless steel plate, sheet and strip used for pressure vessels and general applications. It lists the chemistry and mechanical properties of austenitic, ferritic, duplex and super-austenitic grades, from 304 and 316L to 2205, 2507 and 904L.
- Plate, sheet & strip
- ASME SA-240
- 10 grades supplied to it
Reviewed by the Kanak Steel & Engineering Co. technical team · Updated October 2026
What is ASTM A240?
ASTM A240 is the specification for chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel plate, sheet and strip for pressure vessels and general applications. It covers austenitic grades such as 304L, 316L and 904L, duplex grades such as 2205 and 2507, and ferritic and martensitic grades. Thickness tolerances, finishes and the plate / sheet / strip definitions are in the companion general-requirements standard ASTM A480. ASME adopts it as SA-240.
ASTM A240 at a glance
| Products | Plate, sheet and strip |
|---|---|
| Material families | Austenitic, super-austenitic, duplex, ferritic and martensitic stainless |
| General requirements | ASTM A480 — tolerances, finishes (2B, BA, No.1, No.4), flatness, definitions |
| Plate vs sheet | Under A480: plate is 3/16" (4.76 mm) and thicker; sheet and strip are thinner |
| Supply condition | Annealed (solution annealed for austenitic and duplex) |
| ASME designation | SA-240 |
ASTM A240 grades and minimum properties
Current standard verification pending. Numerical specification requirements are published only after the applicable current standard edition has been verified.
| Grade | UNS | Tensile, min | Yield 0.2%, min | Elongation, min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | S30400 | Pending current standard text | Pending current standard text | Pending current standard text |
| 304L | S30403 | Pending current standard text | Pending current standard text | Pending current standard text |
| 316L | S31603 | Pending current standard text | Pending current standard text | Pending current standard text |
| 904L | N08904 | Pending current standard text | Pending current standard text | Pending current standard text |
| 2205 | S32205 | Pending current standard text | Pending current standard text | Pending current standard text |
| 2507 | S32750 | Pending current standard text | Pending current standard text | Pending current standard text |
ASTM A240 vs A480 vs nickel-alloy plate specs
A240 sets the material; A480 sets the shape and finish. Nickel alloys have their own plate specifications.
| Specification | What it controls |
|---|---|
| ASTM A240 | Chemistry, mechanical properties and heat treatment of stainless plate, sheet and strip |
| ASTM A480 | Thickness, width and flatness tolerances, surface finishes, plate / sheet / strip definitions |
| ASTM B424 | Alloy 825 plate, sheet and strip |
| ASTM B443 | Alloy 625 plate, sheet and strip |
| ASTM B575 | Hastelloy C276 and C22 plate, sheet and strip |
How to write ASTM A240 on a purchase order
Name the product, size, material specification and grade, the dimensional standard and the certificate. An example line:
Illustrative only — sizes, tests, inspection level and any project values come from your purchase specification.
ASTM A240 edition and verification status
Which edition we have confirmed, and what is still being checked before any numerical requirement is published here.
| Current edition (publisher listing) | A240/A240M-26 — checked 7 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Full-text verification | In progress — numerical requirements are published here only after the current text has been reviewed |
| Edition on your order | The edition named in your purchase order or design code governs — confirm it with your enquiry |
What to know before ordering to ASTM A240
The points that decide whether material to ASTM A240 is accepted at inspection.
- Dimensions, tolerances, finishes and testing are not in A240 itself — it calls up ASTM A480 for those general requirements.
- Dual certification (for example 304/304L or 316/316L) is common and is shown on the mill certificate when the heat meets both grades.
- Order by UNS number as well as the common name to avoid ambiguity, for example UNS S31603 for 316L.
Grades and products we supply to ASTM A240
| Grade | Product | Designation on the certificate |
|---|---|---|
| SS 904L | Sheet · Plate · Coil | ASTM A240 |
| SS 304 | Sheet · Plate · Coil | ASTM A240 |
| SS 304L | Sheet · Plate · Coil | ASTM A240 |
| SS 310 / 310S | Sheet · Plate · Coil | ASTM A240 |
| SS 316 / 316L | Sheet · Plate · Coil | ASTM A240 |
| SS 321 | Sheet · Plate · Coil | ASTM A240 |
| SS 347 | Sheet · Plate · Coil | ASTM A240 |
| Duplex 2205 | Sheet · Plate · Coil | ASTM A240 |
| Super Duplex 2507 | Sheet · Plate · Coil | ASTM A240 |
| Super Duplex S32760 | Sheet · Plate | ASTM A240 |
How ASTM A240 fits into an order
A purchase order line is only complete when it names the material standard, the dimensional standard and the inspection document. Miss one and the mill, the inspector and the buyer can each read the order differently.
Standards used with ASTM A240
Same family
ASTM A240 — questions buyers ask
What is ASTM A240?
ASTM A240 is the specification for chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel plate, sheet and strip for pressure vessels and general applications. It covers austenitic grades such as 304L, 316L and 904L, duplex grades such as 2205 and 2507, and ferritic and martensitic grades. Thickness tolerances, finishes and the plate / sheet / strip definitions are in the companion general-requirements standard ASTM A480. ASME adopts it as SA-240.
What is the difference between ASTM A240 and A480?
A240 is the material specification — chemistry and properties. A480 holds the general requirements every A240 product must meet: dimensional tolerances, flatness, surface finishes and the definitions of plate, sheet and strip.
Does ASTM A240 cover sheet as well as plate?
Yes. A240 covers plate, sheet and strip. Under A480, plate is 3/16" (4.76 mm) and thicker; sheet and strip are thinner, with strip narrower than 24".
Is 904L made to A240?
Yes. UNS N08904 is listed in A240. Older editions of ASTM B625 also listed 904L, but current editions do not, so current 904L plate certificates cite A240 / SA-240.
What is dual-certified 304/304L plate?
Plate whose chemistry meets 304L (low carbon) while its strength meets 304. One certificate satisfies orders for either grade.
Which grades do you supply to ASTM A240?
SS 904L, SS 304, SS 304L, SS 310 / 310S, SS 316 / 316L, SS 321, SS 347, Duplex 2205, Super Duplex 2507, Super Duplex S32760 — see the table on this page for the exact product and designation.
What is the current edition of ASTM A240?
The publisher's listing checked on 7 October 2026 shows A240/A240M-26 as the current edition. The edition that governs an order is the one named in the purchase order or design code. Full-text review of the current edition is in progress, so numerical requirements are not published on this page yet.
Do you supply certificates to this standard?
Yes. Material is supplied with mill test certificates to EN 10204 3.1 showing the standard, grade and heat number; 3.2 with third-party inspection on request.
Sources: the ASTM / ASME specifications named on this page and producer datasheets · Last updated October 2026