You have already learned a great deal from us about various types of stainless steel. Today we want to look at a topic that is definitely of interest to you: whatever you want to build or renovate, sheet thickness will always play a role.
Here we explain what sheet thicknesses are all about. What are they important for? Are there specifications for metal plate thickness that you need to observe? We want to give you an overview of the topic and help you make the right choice. Naturally, we are also at your disposal as a supplier of stainless steel sheets in various thicknesses.
What is a sheet thickness?
If you want a simple term, you could also speak of the thickness of a sheet - something everyone can immediately picture. We all know very thin sheets that are easy to bend, and thick sheets that cannot be deformed with muscle power.
Sheet thicknesses naturally influence what a sheet costs. As a rule: the thicker a sheet, the more expensive it is - after all, more material is required for the same area. Sheet thickness also influences the possible uses of steel: if you want to place heavy objects on it, it must of course withstand more load.
Which sheet thicknesses are there?
The selection of metal plate thicknesses has grown ever larger over time. With the various fields of application for sheet, ever new thicknesses were added. In the range of thin sheets up to 1 mm, there are sheets from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, each increasing by 0.1 mm.
At greater thicknesses, the differences are no longer as fine, and the products on offer increase by 0.2 mm or 0.25 mm. There is no upper limit for sheet thickness - partly because materials research is continuously advancing.
In general, sheets are divided into the following groups:
- Thin sheet: all sheets with a thickness up to 3 mm.
- Heavy plate: sheets from a material thickness of 3 mm belong to this group.
- Medium plate: outdated designation for sheets between 3 mm and 4.75 mm thick.
How to measure metal plate thicknesses
Measuring the thickness of steel sheet is not very laborious. You can use ultrasonic measuring devices or work analogue with a calliper gauge. Laser-based measuring methods are also available on the market.
What matters is that correct material thickness is of great importance: sheet thicknesses are the basis for calculating the permissible load on surfaces and structures. A deviation in metal plate thickness could have serious effects on the load-bearing capacity of a bridge or a roof.
Which standards exist for sheet thicknesses?
There are no standards for the thickness of sheets. However, there are several other standards that play a role in selecting the material for your project. Firstly, the various alloys are subject to standardisation: it makes a difference whether you use stainless steel 1.4541 or stainless steel sheet 1.4713.
There is also a standard for tolerable deviations: DIN EN 10259 applies to cold-rolled sheets of stainless steel, while DIN EN 10051 applies to tolerances for hot-rolled sheets.
Why do different applications need different sheet thicknesses?
The main reason is the load to which a stainless steel component is exposed. To transport and store liquids and gases in a sheet-metal container, it must withstand the weight or the pressure of a gas. This results in a minimum wall thickness needed for the planned use.
For vehicle construction too, sheet thickness follows from the application: the outer walls of a container ship must be far thicker than the body shell of a car - the two vehicles are exposed to entirely different loads.
It can also come down to how easy a sheet is to work. If, for example, you want to build a housing for equipment or a roof for your carport, you will certainly want to drill through the sheet and screw it down. A very thick and therefore heavy sheet would be rather unsuitable for that.
Effects of sheet thickness on processing
The thickness of steel sheet affects not only weight and price. It also influences how easy it is for you to work the piece: drilling, soldering and welding are much easier with thin sheets than with a 10 mm stainless steel sheet.
Cutting is also easier with sheet of low material thickness. Fundamentally, however, it is advisable to have sheet cutting carried out by a professional with the appropriate tools - unless you have the right tools for made-to-measure cutting and have already gained experience in metalworking.
Why ESC Burg is the best partner for sheets of all kinds
Stainless steel sheet is our daily bread. We have specialised in offering made-to-measure cutting for a wide range of sheet thicknesses. Neither the thickness of the sheet matters, nor whether you order from us as a private individual or a company - our offer is aimed at everyone who needs an exact sheet cut.
In the first step, you will be in contact with our experienced sales team. With a few short questions, our colleagues will clarify what you plan to do with the sheet you order. They can tell you whether it is correctly chosen for the environment in which you want to use it, and also with regard to thickness. Our aim is to sell you the best possible alloy.
We quote you the individually calculated price during the conversation, so you lose no time. We are also fast in production, rarely needing more than 2 days before an order leaves our facility - made possible by efficient processes and a team of experienced staff.
Delivered quickly and reliably
Thanks to high-quality machines that enable millimetre-precise cutting of a wide range of sheet thicknesses, you can use our products directly. In addition to cutting, you can also commission surface treatment and forming from us - here too, we have a high-quality machine park and experienced staff who guarantee an optimum result.
Our shipping partners ensure that your order is delivered safely and swiftly. In this way, we are happy to play our part in the success of your project.
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