0.01/0.02/0.03/0.04/0.05-2.5mm Thick 304 Stainless Steel Plate Sheet Flat Bar

For shim and precision-alignment tasks, thicknesses of 0.01–0.1mm are typical. General-purpose backing plates and heat shields usually call for 0.3–1mm. Structural or load-bearing applications typically start at 1.5mm and above. If you are unsure, measure the gap or clearance you need to fill and select the closest available thickness from the variant dropdown.

304 SS has a tensile strength of approximately 515 MPa (75,000 psi) in its annealed state, which is adequate for light structural brackets, reinforcement plates, and similar applications. For heavy load-bearing structures, consult an engineer and consider thicker gauges (1.5mm+). These 100×100mm pieces are sized for small-scale fabrication rather than large structural panels.

304 stainless steel offers good resistance to atmospheric corrosion, rain, and mild chemical exposure. It performs well in most outdoor environments. However, in coastal or high-chloride settings (salt spray, de-icing chemicals), 316-grade stainless steel is a better choice because its molybdenum content provides superior pitting resistance. For standard outdoor DIY and garden applications, 304 is generally sufficient.

Yes. 304 stainless steel can be cut with metal snips (for thinner gauges up to ~0.5mm), an angle grinder with a stainless-rated disc, or a jigsaw with a bi-metal blade. Drilling requires HSS or cobalt drill bits and a cutting fluid to prevent work-hardening. Avoid using carbon-steel tools without lubrication, as 304 SS work-hardens quickly and can dull bits prematurely.

Yes. 304 stainless steel is readily weldable using TIG or MIG processes with ER308L filler wire. For very thin gauges (under 0.3mm), TIG welding with a foot pedal for amperage control is recommended to avoid burn-through. Spot welding is also viable for thin-sheet joining. Always clean the weld area with a stainless-specific wire brush to prevent cross-contamination from carbon steel particles.

If you need a single shim or are testing a thickness for fit, the 1-piece option keeps cost low. For projects requiring matched pairs (e.g., two bearing shims), the 2-pack is efficient. The 5-pack suits small batch fabrication or situations where you expect to trim and refit. The 10-pack offers the best per-piece value for recurring maintenance tasks or workshop stock. Per-piece pricing is shown in the variant selector above.

In common usage, "sheet" refers to material under 3mm thick, "plate" to material 3mm and above, and "flat bar" to a rectangular cross-section strip. This product spans the sheet range (0.01–2.5mm) and is supplied in a square 100×100mm format, making it interchangeable with what many buyers call a flat bar blank or shim plate. All three terms describe the same flat, unformed geometry offered here.