304 A2 Stainless Steel Flat Bar Metal Plate Strip Width 10MM-80MM Length 100MM

Start with the load or stress the bar needs to carry. For light-duty brackets and decorative frames, a 3 mm – 5 mm thickness is typically sufficient. For structural gussets, reinforcement plates, or anything bearing significant shear or bending loads, consider 8 mm – 20 mm. Width should match your bolt-hole spacing or overlap requirement. When in doubt, size up one step — it is easier to grind material away than to add it.

304 stainless has a typical tensile strength of around 515 MPa (75 ksi) and a yield strength of approximately 205 MPa (30 ksi) in the annealed condition. This makes it suitable for many light-to-medium structural uses such as brackets, supports, and frames. For high-stress or load-bearing structural engineering applications, consult a qualified engineer and verify the specific mechanical properties of the batch you receive.

304 stainless steel forms a passive chromium-oxide layer that resists rust in most outdoor environments. It performs well in urban and light industrial settings. However, in coastal or marine environments with prolonged salt-spray exposure, surface staining or pitting can occur over time. For highly corrosive environments, 316-grade stainless (with added molybdenum) is generally recommended instead.

Yes. 304 stainless can be MIG or TIG welded to other 304 or 316 stainless components using ER308L or ER316L filler wire. Welding to mild steel is possible using a suitable dissimilar-metal filler, though the joint area will have reduced corrosion resistance compared to an all-stainless weld. Always clean the base metal and use appropriate shielding gas (typically argon or argon/CO₂ mix) to avoid contamination.

For cutting, an angle grinder with a stainless-rated cutting disc, a metal-cutting bandsaw, or a cold saw all work well. Avoid using discs or blades previously used on carbon steel, as cross-contamination can cause rust spots. For drilling, use cobalt (M35 or M42) or carbide drill bits, apply cutting fluid, and use a slower RPM with firm, steady feed pressure. Work-hardening is the main challenge — avoid dwelling or rubbing without cutting.

Order 1 piece if you are prototyping or need a single replacement part. Choose 5 pieces if you are building a small batch of identical components or want spares for a project. The 10-piece pack offers the lowest per-unit cost and suits production runs, workshop stock, or projects requiring multiple identical bars. All pack sizes ship the same cross-section and length — only the quantity differs.

The bars are solid, undrilled flat stock, so compatibility depends on the holes you create. The width range (10 mm – 80 mm) accommodates standard M3 through M12 bolt patterns with appropriate edge distances. For example, a 20 mm wide bar can comfortably accept an M8 bolt with a 10 mm edge distance on each side. Always calculate edge distance and pitch based on your specific fastener size and load requirements.