5mm 316L No.1 stainless steel plate: a 4 × 8 ft Guatemala order

Sheye Metal supplied 5mm 316L stainless steel plate with a No.1 finish for a customer in Guatemala. The order called for a nominal size of 5 × 1219 × 2438 mm, commonly described in the trade as 5mm × 4ft × 8ft. Before export packing, our team checked dimensions, material markings, alloy composition by handheld PMI, and the visible surface condition.

This order reflects a regular part of our supply business as a 316L No.1 stainless steel plate supplier: keeping 4 × 8 ft format plate available for international buyers and demanding domestic end users. Alongside larger metric formats, Sheye Metal stocks this smaller format in several thicknesses so customers can source material suited to their cutting plans.

4 × 8 ft plate: specify the millimetres on the order

Buyers requesting 316L 5mm × 4ft × 8ft stainless steel plate often use either 1219 × 2438 mm or 1220 × 2440 mm in their enquiries. An exact conversion of 4 × 8 ft is 1219.2 × 2438.4 mm. The two rounded metric formats are close, but a purchase order should state the required millimetre dimensions and tolerances explicitly.

A familiar sheet format makes it easier to plan standard cutting layouts and handling. The required blank sizes still determine material yield, so the small difference between the metric formats can matter when a cutting plan uses the full plate width or length.

Thickness, width and length checks before packing

The three micrometer photographs show local thickness readings of 4.903 mm, 4.926 mm and 4.897 mm for the nominal 5mm material. These are readings at the photographed measurement points. Acceptance depends on the thickness tolerance agreed for the order and the applicable product specification. Our quality and export delivery page explains the wider inspection and documentation process.

Width and length were checked with a tape measure. The photographs retain the plate edges and the scale so the measurement arrangement can be reviewed. We also checked the material markings and visually examined the plates before packing. The overview photograph shows the plate stack at this stage.

PMI screening and the parent-coil certificate

The handheld PMI screen identifies the alloy as 316 and shows chromium at 17.04%, nickel at 10.23% and molybdenum at 2.009%. This check supports identification of the chromium-nickel-molybdenum alloy family. The screen does not report carbon, so this reading alone cannot establish the low-carbon “L” designation. Thermo Fisher’s stainless steel analysis guide explains why handheld XRF and carbon analysis serve different purposes.

The supplied parent-coil mill test certificate identifies grade S31603 and reports carbon at 0.022%. Its heat analysis and mechanical test results are listed below, separately from the handheld PMI readings.

The certificate describes the source coil. Its dimensions and test results should be read in that context; the finished cut plates have their own order dimensions and dimensional inspection records.

Why buyers specify 316L with a No.1 finish

316L contains molybdenum, which improves resistance to chloride pitting compared with 304 under comparable conditions. Its low carbon content also helps reduce sensitization associated with welding. Outokumpu’s Supra range guidance describes these material characteristics and typical uses. Actual service suitability depends on the medium, chloride concentration, temperature, fabrication and cleaning conditions.

No.1 is the hot rolled, annealed and pickled finish commonly specified when a decorative polished surface is unnecessary. It can avoid an additional decorative finishing operation. Mechanical strength should be assessed from the specified material condition and documented properties; the hot rolling label by itself does not establish a strength advantage.

Typical fabrication enquiries include chemical storage tanks, process vessels, heat-exchanger shells, scrubbers and welded equipment components for chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, or textile plants. A 5mm plate is a possible starting thickness for some designs. Pressure-containing or load-bearing components require an engineering calculation and the applicable design code, including allowances for corrosion and fabrication.

316L No.1 plate stock in the 4 × 8 ft format

Common larger formats in our 316L hot rolled plate supply include 1500 × 3000, 1500 × 6000, 1800 × 6000 and 2000 × 6000 mm. Sheye Metal also maintains stock in the nominal 1219 × 2438 mm format to serve international purchasing requirements.

Our stocking range for this format includes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15 and 16 mm. Buyers looking for 5mm 316L stainless steel plate in stock can send their required quantity and dimensions for allocation. We confirm available quantity and dispatch timing with each quotation.

If your requirement is 316L No.1 stainless steel plate, 5 × 1220 × 2440 mm, state that size in the enquiry so we can check matching stock or processing arrangements. Using the final dimensions helps us avoid substituting the other 4 × 8 ft trade format without agreement.