Stainless Steel Guides

Short, practical answers to the questions buyers actually ask — grade choice, finishes, tolerances, corrosion and what to specify on a purchase order.

• 304 vs 316L Stainless Steel: Which Grade Do You Need?A practical decision line for 304 vs 316L — medium, chloride, temperature and cost. Includes application examples and what to specify when ordering.
• 2B, BA, No.1, HL and 8K: How to Choose a Stainless FinishThe five common stainless steel finishes explained — what each looks like, how it affects corrosion and processing cost, and how to specify it on a purchase order.
• Stainless Thickness Tolerance: ASTM A480 vs EN 10088-2Why a “1.5 mm” stainless sheet may measure 1.35 or 1.62 mm, how ASTM A480 and EN 10088-2 tolerances differ, and how to write acceptance criteria that protect your process.
• 2205 Duplex vs 316L: When the Switch Pays OffPREN, chloride stress corrosion and welding — when 2205 duplex replaces 316L, and the fabrication trade-offs to plan for.
• Coil, Sheet or Circle: Which Form Is Cheapest?How decoiling, slitting and edge trim change landed cost for the same tonne of stainless — and how to choose the cheapest form for your finished part.
• HS Codes and Export Documents for Stainless SteelWhich HS codes apply to stainless coil and sheet, which documents an export shipment needs, and the anti-dumping checks to run before quoting.
• CBAM and Stainless Steel: What EU Buyers Need from Their SupplierA practical CBAM checklist for EU stainless buyers — what data to request from the supplier, what the transitional reporting needs, and how to avoid surprises.
• Stainless Steel Circles: Applications, Specs and How to OrderCookware, tank heads, flanges and lighting — how stainless circles are specified, which grade to use, and what affects price and lead time.
• Custom Stainless Fabrication: Laser, Waterjet, Cutting and BevellingWhat to send for a custom stainless part quote, which cutting process fits which tolerance, and the finishing steps that affect cost and lead time.
• How to Verify a Stainless Steel Supplier: 7 ChecksA practical supplier verification checklist — mill certificate, heat traceability, third-party inspection, factory audit and red flags to watch.