25mm thick 304 stainless steel plate for Ecuador

Sheye Metal supplied 25mm thick 304 stainless steel plate to a customer in Ecuador in the 1524 × 3048 mm format, equivalent to 5 ft × 10 ft. The order specified a No.1 surface and solution-treated material. The inspection photographs show the plate surface, three thickness readings, width and length checks, and a handheld positive material identification (PMI) check.

For buyers ordering thick plate for fabrication, the delivery condition matters alongside grade and size. Solution annealing affects carbide dissolution and corrosion resistance, while the intended welding and machining route helps determine whether 304 or 304L is appropriate.

304 stainless steel plate 25 × 1524 × 3048 mm: order details

The 5 ft × 10 ft designation describes the plate width and length. The thickness remains 25 mm; it is not interchangeable with a 1 inch thickness specification. Buyers should state all three dimensions and the required tolerances when requesting a quotation.

Why solution annealing matters for 25 mm 304 plate

When 304 spends sufficient time at sensitising temperatures, chromium-rich carbides can precipitate at grain boundaries. This can leave adjacent areas depleted in chromium and increase susceptibility to intergranular corrosion in certain corrosive environments. ATI’s guidance identifies a carbide-precipitation range of approximately 427 to 816°C. The outcome depends on carbon content, temperature and time, including the thermal cycle during welding. See ATI’s 304/304L technical guidance.

Solution annealing heats the steel sufficiently to dissolve precipitated carbides, followed by rapid cooling to limit their re-formation. A typical processing range for 304 is around 1050 to 1120°C, with the exact temperature, holding time and cooling method set for the material specification and section thickness. Thick plate commonly requires water quenching. See the stainless steel heat-treatment guidance.

The treatment helps restore corrosion resistance and ductility affected by prior processing. It can also relieve strain from cold work. Rapid cooling, subsequent levelling and machining can still introduce or redistribute residual stresses, so a solution-treated plate is not automatically free from stress or distortion. For a large machined component, the cutting sequence and machining allowances still need attention. Read the guidance on residual stress and heat treatment.

Annealed 304 is generally non-magnetic or only weakly magnetic. Cold work can produce some deformation-induced martensite and increase magnetic response. A magnet check alone cannot confirm the grade or establish whether the specified heat treatment was completed.

When to consider 304L for thick welded components

For a 25 mm plate that will be welded into a large assembly, 304L is often worth specifying before purchase. Its lower carbon content reduces the risk of carbide precipitation and chromium depletion during welding. This is useful when the completed fabrication cannot undergo a full solution treatment.

The carbon limits above are from the Cleveland-Cliffs 304/304L data sheet. Confirm the applicable product standard and mill certificate for each purchase. Low carbon is not permission to omit heat treatment required by the plate supply standard. The welding procedure, corrosion environment and governing specification determine the choice. Review the 304/304L grade data.

For buyers considering hot rolled, pickled material without a separate solution-treatment stage, the processing route and final condition must first be checked against the order specification. Switching to 304L reduces a carbon-related risk, but does not establish compliance on its own. Sheye Metal can discuss 304L stainless steel plate for welded fabrications and help define the required delivery condition.

Inspection photographs from the Ecuador plate order

Sheye Metal’s finished-plate inspection covers visual appearance, thickness, width, length, diagonals, flatness and material identification against the customer’s requirements. The photographs for this order document the surface, thickness, width, length and handheld PMI checks.

Thickness measured at three photographed locations

The micrometer displays read 25.145 mm, 25.128 mm and 24.983 mm. These are three point measurements on nominal 25 mm material. Whether a reading is acceptable depends on the agreed tolerance and measurement procedure; the photographs alone do not establish a complete thickness map or batch-wide conformity.

Width and length checks

The tape-measure photographs record checks against the ordered 1524 mm width and 3048 mm length. Diagonal measurements assess squareness, while flatness is checked separately. Measurement locations, edge condition and the agreed tolerances should be recorded in the final inspection report.

PMI for alloy identification

The handheld XRF display identifies 304 and shows chromium at 18.38% and nickel at 8.19% at the tested location. This is useful for screening the alloy family and detecting material mix-ups.

Handheld XRF does not measure carbon, so it cannot distinguish 304 from 304L by carbon content. It also cannot verify solution annealing, mechanical properties or resistance to intergranular corrosion. Carbon confirmation requires the mill certificate or a suitable carbon-capable analysis method, such as appropriate spark OES. See the instrument manufacturer’s explanation of low-carbon grade testing.

Plate stock, available sizes and processing

As a 25mm thick 304 stainless steel plate supplier in China, Sheye Metal holds 304 medium and heavy plate stock and supplies material to overseas customers. Buyers seeking 25mm thick 304 stainless steel plate in stock can send their required quantity, dimensions and delivery condition for availability confirmation.

The range above covers regular supply formats. Grade, thickness and quantity availability are confirmed for each enquiry. Services include solution treatment, pickling, shot blasting, laser cutting and levelling, with the processing route agreed for the intended use.

When comparing a 25mm thick 304 stainless steel plate manufacturer, factory or stock supplier, ask who produced the material, what the mill certificate covers and who is responsible for further processing and inspection. Sheye Metal supplies and processes plate, with material requirements and inspection scope agreed before shipment. Read more about our 304 stainless steel plate range and quality inspection services.

Request a quotation for 25 mm 304 plate

To request a quote for 25 mm thick, hot rolled 304 stainless steel plate, send Sheye Metal the plate dimensions, quantity or weight, destination port and required delivery date. Include the material standard, 304 or 304L grade, delivery condition, surface, dimensional tolerances and any cutting drawings. If the plates will be welded or heavily machined, describe those operations so the quotation can address the required material condition and inspection documents.

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