304 stainless steel plate is an austenitic stainless steel containing 16% to % chromium and up to 35% nickel. It is the most common and widely used variety of stainless steel, with good corrosion resistance, heat resistance, low temperature strength and mechanical properties; It has good hot workability such as stamping and bending, and no heat treatment hardening phenomenon (operating temperature -196℃～800℃). After understanding the basic situation of 304 stainless steel plates, the next step is how to choose high-quality products. There is a lot of knowledge in this. Mastering these key points can make you more comfortable when purchasing and avoid pitfalls.
The key points of purchasing 304 stainless steel plates
- Look at the quality and choose a regular supplier
Choosing a regular supplier is the key to ensuring that you buy high-quality 304 stainless steel plates. Formal suppliers usually have a complete quality assurance system and can provide products of reliable quality. For example Nansteel Manufacturing Co., Ltd has mature production processes, strict quality control, and more guaranteed product quality. When purchasing, you should carefully check the surface of the product. If it is smooth and flat and has no obvious defects such as cracks, sand holes, bubbles, etc., the quality of such products is often good. At the same time, it is also important to understand the supplier's after-sales service. High-quality after-sales service can help you solve subsequent problems.
- Choose the appropriate size and thickness according to your needs
It is critical to select the appropriate size and thickness for your application. The thickness range of 304 stainless steel plate is relatively wide. The common cold-rolled plate thickness is between 0.4mm and 6.0mm. For example, when making kitchen sinks, plates with a thickness of 1.0mm to 1.2mm are generally used to ensure strength and control costs. The thickness of hot-rolled plates is around 3.0mm - 100mm. For example, stainless steel plates used in building structures may choose thicker specifications to meet high strength requirements.
- Check the material and confirm the ingredient certificate
Confirming material certification and ingredient content proof is an essential step. The main components of 304 stainless steel plate are about 18% chromium and 8% nickel, which give it good corrosion resistance. When purchasing, ask the supplier for a material test report to ensure that the product's ingredients meet the standards.
- Understand surface treatment to meet diverse needs
Common surface treatment methods for 304 stainless steel plates include 2B, BA, NO.1, NO.4, etc. 2B surface is obtained after cold rolling and heat treatment, pickling or descaling. The surface is silvery white with a certain glossiness. It is often used for general industrial purposes and kitchen equipment. The BA surface is brightly annealed, with a higher glossiness, close to a mirror effect. NO.1 surface is the surface that has been heat treated, pickled or descaled after hot rolling. It is relatively rough and is often used in places where surface requirements are not high, such as industrial containers, structural parts, etc. The NO.4 surface is polished with abrasive materials with a particle size of 100-120. The surface has a finer texture and is often used in occasions with high decorative requirements, such as hotel decoration, furniture manufacturing, etc.
- Compare multiple channels and choose the right purchase channel
There are multiple online and offline channels for purchasing 304 stainless steel plates. Offline purchases allow you to directly observe and inspect the product, communicate with sales staff face to face, and obtain more intuitive information, but the price may be relatively high; The prices when purchasing online may be more advantageous and there may be a wider range of choices, but there are certain risks as you cannot see the actual product in person. You can compare the prices and quality of different sellers through multiple channels and choose the purchasing channel that best meets your needs.
- Focus on quality certification
Pay attention to whether the product has relevant quality certifications, such as ISO9001 quality management system certification, CE certification, etc. These certifications are strong proof of product quality. When buying, don't just look at the price and ignore the brand and quality certification, so as not to buy poor quality products.
Read more: Demagnetization Method of 304 Stainless Steel Plate
