How to Choose the Right Stainless Steel Plate Thickness

Choosing the correct stainless steel plate thickness is one of the most important decisions in fabrication, construction, chemical plants, food industry, oil & gas, refineries, and heavy engineering.

The wrong plate thickness can cause:

Bending or deformation
Cracking
Leakage
Vibration issues
Structural weakness
Premature failure

This guide makes everything simple, so even beginners can understand which thickness is best for their project.

Difference Between Sheet, Plate & Coil Thickness

Stainless Steel Sheet

Thickness: 0.4 mm – 6 mm
Lightweight, flexible, used for bending/forming

Stainless Steel Plate

Thickness: 6 mm and above
Strong, rigid, used for heavy-duty applications

Stainless Steel Coil

Continuous rolled sheet used for fabrication.

Why Thickness Matters?

Choosing the right thickness ensures:

Strength
Durability
Safety
Structural integrity
Proper load-bearing capacity

If thickness is too low, the plate:

Bends
Vibrates
Fails under pressure
Gets dents
Cracks

If thickness is too high, the plate:

Becomes unnecessarily expensive
Becomes difficult to cut
Adds waste

The goal is to balance strength with cost.

Standard Stainless Steel Plate Thickness Chart

Thickness	Category	Typical Use
0.5 – 2 mm	Thin sheet	Appliances, panels
2 – 6 mm	Medium sheet	Tanks, enclosures
6 – 12 mm	Standard plate	Machinery, fabrication
12 – 25 mm	Heavy plate	Pressure components
25 – 80 mm	Extra heavy plate	Structural & industrial
80+ mm	Oversize plate	Specialized engineering

How to Choose the Right Thickness?

Factor 1 — Load / Weight

Higher load → thicker plates

Structural beams, platforms, machine bases: 12–40 mm

Example: A 2 mm plate cannot support machinery vibration — but 12 mm can.

Factor 2 — Pressure

Tanks, vessels, reactors require 8–30 mm
High-pressure equipment uses 316L / Duplex plates

Factor 3 — Temperature

Above 400°C → use 6–30 mm
Above 650°C → use heat-resistant alloys (310S, Inconel)

Factor 4 — Corrosion Level

Use thicker material for corrosive media
Select better grade: 316L, Duplex, Nickel alloys

Example: Seawater → minimum 6–10 mm stainless plate.

Recommended Thickness for Common Applications

Chemical Industries

Reactors, tanks: 8–20 mm
Pipelines support plates: 6–12 mm

Oil & Gas

Offshore structures: 12–40 mm
Heat exchanger components: 8–16 mm

Food & Pharmaceutical

Equipment body: 2–4 mm
Hygienic tanks: 4–6 mm

Construction & Architecture

Handrails: 2–3 mm
Facade/Cladding: 1.5–2 mm
Beams/Platforms: 10–25 mm

Heavy Machinery

Machine bases: 20–80 mm
Wear-resistant plates: 12–50 mm

Grade vs Thickness — Best Combinations

304 Stainless Steel: General purpose — Best: 1–8 mm
316/316L: Chemical-resistant — Best: 2–20 mm
310S: High temperature — Best: 4–30 mm
Duplex 2205: High strength — Best: 3–20 mm
Super Duplex 2507: Marine/offshore — Best: 4–25 mm
Nickel Alloys / Inconel / Monel / Hastelloy: Extreme corrosion — Best: 3–12 mm

Common Mistakes Buyers Make

Choosing thin material to reduce cost → causes bending & failure
Using thick plates unnecessarily → increases cost & machining difficulty
Ignoring chemical environment → corrosion risk increases
No consultation with a material expert → wrong grade & thickness
Not using certified suppliers → fake/low-grade steel

Conclusion

Selecting the right stainless steel plate thickness is critical for performance, safety, and long-term durability. Always consider:

Load
Pressure
Temperature
Corrosion
Material grade

Moksh Tubes helps customers choose the perfect plate thickness based on industry requirements.

FAQ's

What thickness is best for chemical tanks?

8–20 mm depending on pressure.

Is thicker always better?

No — it increases cost unnecessarily.

Which grade is best for corrosion?

316L, Duplex, Super Duplex, Nickel Alloys.

Do you provide custom-cut plates?

Yes — laser cut, plasma cut, waterjet, CNC cut