304 Stainless Steel Sheet Metal Strip — Precision-Cut Foil for DIY, Fabrication & Repair
When a project demands a material that holds its shape, resists rust, and cuts cleanly to size, most builders reach for 304 stainless steel sheet metal — and then spend hours hunting for the exact thickness and width they need. Whether you're a hobbyist shimming a machine bed, a fabricator lining a channel, or a maker building a custom enclosure, having the right 304 stainless steel sheet metal strip on hand is the difference between a clean result and a frustrating workaround.
These strips are cut from 304-grade austenitic stainless steel, offering a balanced combination of corrosion resistance, formability, and surface finish. Each piece is 1 meter (approx. 39.4 in) long, with widths ranging from 10 mm (0.39 in) to 300 mm (11.8 in) and thickness options spanning 0.01 mm to 1.0 mm — covering ultra-thin foil territory all the way up to structural shim stock.
Typical use cases include shimming and leveling mechanical assemblies, fabricating heat shields or splash guards, lining slots and channels in woodworking jigs, crafting custom brackets or reinforcement strips, and prototyping enclosures or decorative metalwork. The consistent mill finish and tight dimensional tolerances make these strips well-suited for applications where fit and flatness matter.
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Compatibility note: 304 stainless steel is non-magnetic in its annealed state and is compatible with most standard metalworking tools — tin snips, laser cutters, angle grinders, and bench shears. Not recommended for applications requiring magnetic permeability or high-temperature oxidation resistance above 870 °C (1600 °F).
✅ Key Features of These 304 Stainless Steel Sheet Metal Strips
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130+ Size Combinations
Thickness from 0.01 mm to 1.0 mm paired with widths from 10 mm to 300 mm — find the exact cross-section your project requires without custom ordering.
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304-Grade Corrosion Resistance
The 18% chromium / 8% nickel composition forms a self-healing passive oxide layer, resisting rust in humid, mildly acidic, and outdoor environments.
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Consistent 1-Meter Length
Each strip ships at 1 meter (39.4 in), giving you a workable length for shimming, banding, or cutting down to shorter segments as needed.
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Machinable & Formable
Cuts cleanly with tin snips, laser, or waterjet. Bends without cracking at thinner gauges. Compatible with standard MIG/TIG welding processes.
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Ultra-Thin Foil Options Available
Thicknesses as fine as 0.01 mm (10 µm) are stocked — suitable for precision shimming, gasket material, and electromagnetic shielding applications.
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Mill Finish Surface
Smooth, consistent 2B-style mill finish on both faces. Suitable for use as-is or as a base for further polishing, brushing, or coating.
📐 Technical Specifications — 304 Stainless Steel Sheet Metal Strip
| Material Grade |
304 Stainless Steel (UNS S30400) |
| Composition |
~18% Cr, ~8% Ni, balance Fe |
| Thickness Range |
0.01 mm – 1.0 mm (See variant options) |
| Width Range |
10 mm – 300 mm (See variant options) |
| Length |
1 meter (approx. 39.4 in) per piece |
| Surface Finish |
Mill finish (2B equivalent) |
| Tensile Strength |
Typically 515–690 MPa (annealed) |
| Yield Strength |
Typically 205 MPa min (annealed) |
| Hardness |
Typically ≤ 200 HB (annealed) |
| Max Service Temp. |
~870 °C (1600 °F) continuous |
| Magnetic |
Non-magnetic (annealed state) |
| Weldability |
Good — MIG, TIG, resistance welding |
| Quantity per Order |
1 piece (1 meter strip) |
| Weight |
See variant options |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right thickness for my project?
For shimming and leveling applications, thicknesses between 0.05 mm and 0.3 mm are most common — they provide measurable gap correction without adding significant bulk. For structural reinforcement strips or brackets, 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm offers more rigidity. For electromagnetic shielding or gasket underlays, ultra-thin foil in the 0.01–0.05 mm range is typically used. If you're unsure, start with 0.1 mm as a versatile mid-range option.
Is 304 stainless steel strong enough for load-bearing applications?
304 stainless steel has a minimum yield strength of approximately 205 MPa in its annealed state, which is adequate for light structural uses such as brackets, clips, and reinforcement strips. For heavy load-bearing or high-stress applications, thicker gauges (0.8 mm–1.0 mm) are recommended, and you should verify the load requirements against the cross-sectional area of the strip you select.
Will these strips rust or corrode outdoors?
304 stainless steel forms a passive chromium oxide layer that resists rust in most outdoor and humid environments. It performs well in freshwater and mildly acidic conditions. However, in high-chloride environments (such as coastal saltwater exposure or de-icing salt contact), 316-grade stainless steel is generally a better choice. For typical outdoor DIY and fabrication use, 304 is a reliable option.
Can I cut these strips with standard tools?
Yes. Thinner strips (under 0.3 mm) cut cleanly with sharp tin snips or heavy-duty scissors. Thicker strips (0.5 mm–1.0 mm) are best handled with an angle grinder with a thin cutting disc, a bench shear, or a laser/waterjet cutter. Avoid using standard wood-cutting blades, as they will dull quickly on stainless steel.
What width should I choose for a channel liner or shim application?
Match the width as closely as possible to the slot or channel you're lining — a strip that's slightly narrower than the channel is easier to fit and remove than one that's oversized. For shimming flat surfaces, wider strips (50 mm–100 mm) distribute load more evenly. For tight slots or keyways, narrower strips (10 mm–25 mm) give you more control during installation.
Is 304 stainless steel magnetic?
In its annealed (softened) state, 304 stainless steel is essentially non-magnetic. However, cold working — such as bending, cutting, or forming — can induce a small degree of magnetism in the affected area. If your application requires strict non-magnetic properties (e.g., near sensitive electronics or MRI equipment), test the specific piece after any forming operations.
Can I weld these strips to other stainless steel parts?
Yes. 304 stainless steel welds well using TIG (GTAW) or MIG (GMAW) processes with ER308L filler wire. For thin foil strips (under 0.2 mm), TIG welding with a low amperage setting is recommended to avoid burn-through. Resistance spot welding is also viable for lap joints on thinner gauges. Always clean the weld area with a stainless-specific wire brush or acetone before welding to avoid contamination.
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