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 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.
Related standards
ASTM A480 — questions buyers ask
What does ASTM A480 cover?
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.
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.
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