ASTM A480
General requirements for stainless flat-rolled plate, sheet and strip — finishes and tolerances
The general-requirements specification that sits behind A240 and other stainless flat-rolled product standards. It defines surface finishes (No.1, 2B, 2D, BA, No.4 and others), thickness and flatness tolerances, marking and certification.
- Plate, sheet & strip
- ASME SA-480
Reviewed by the Kanak Steel & Engineering Co. technical team · Updated October 2026
What is ASTM A480?
ASTM A480 sets the general requirements for flat-rolled stainless and heat-resisting steel plate, sheet and strip. It is the companion to product specifications such as ASTM A240: A240 fixes chemistry and properties, while A480 fixes thickness, width and flatness tolerances, surface finishes (No.1, 2D, 2B, BA, No.4 and others) and the definitions of plate, sheet and strip.
ASTM A480 at a glance
| Applies to | Products ordered to A240 and other flat-rolled stainless specifications |
|---|---|
| Definitions | Plate 3/16" (4.76 mm) and thicker · sheet and strip thinner (strip narrower than 24") |
| Finishes | Hot-rolled annealed and descaled (No.1) · cold-rolled 2D, 2B, BA · polished No.3, No.4, No.6, No.7, No.8 |
| Also covers | Testing, retests, marking, certification and packaging rules |
Common A480 finishes and where they are used
| Finish | How it is made | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| No.1 | Hot rolled, annealed and descaled | Plate for tanks, vessels, structural use |
| 2B | Cold rolled, annealed, pickled, skin-passed | General-purpose sheet — the default |
| BA | Cold rolled, bright annealed in controlled atmosphere | Highly reflective trim, food and pharma surfaces |
| No.4 | Brushed with abrasive | Architectural panels, kitchen and food equipment |
How to write ASTM A480 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 A480 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) | A480/A480M-25b — 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 A480
The points that decide whether material to ASTM A480 is accepted at inspection.
- A480 is why a "2B sheet" means the same thing from any mill: the finish designations are defined here.
- The thickness tolerance for sheet and plate differs; check the table for your width band before accepting a mill offer.
- When A240 and A480 disagree, the product specification (A240) governs.
Products made to ASTM A480
How ASTM A480 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 A480
Same family
ASTM A480 — questions buyers ask
What is ASTM A480?
ASTM A480 sets the general requirements for flat-rolled stainless and heat-resisting steel plate, sheet and strip. It is the companion to product specifications such as ASTM A240: A240 fixes chemistry and properties, while A480 fixes thickness, width and flatness tolerances, surface finishes (No.1, 2D, 2B, BA, No.4 and others) and the definitions of plate, sheet and strip.
Is A480 a material specification?
No. It is a general-requirements standard. Material is ordered to a product specification such as ASTM A240, and A480 applies through it.
Where are stainless sheet finishes defined?
In ASTM A480 — 2B, BA, No.4 and the others are A480 finish designations.
What thickness separates plate from sheet?
Under A480, 3/16" (4.76 mm). Plate is that thickness and above; sheet and strip are thinner.
What is the difference between ASTM A480 and ASME SA-480?
ASME SA-480 is the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Section II) adoption of ASTM A480. The technical requirements are usually identical to a specific ASTM edition; pressure-equipment codes call for the ASME designation, and most mill certificates show both.
What is the current edition of ASTM A480?
The publisher's listing checked on 7 October 2026 shows A480/A480M-25b 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