0.5mm thick 304 stainless steel

2025-05-21

304 stainless steel, as a typical representative of 18-8 type austenitic stainless steel, is one of the most widely used stainless steel varieties. When the thickness is reduced to the ultra-thin specification of 0.5 millimeters, its performance and processing technology are significantly different from those of products with conventional thickness. With the continuous improvement of modern industry's requirements for material lightweighting and precision, the application scope of ultra-thin stainless steel is constantly expanding, and the research on its performance and process optimization are particularly important.

1.Basic characteristics of 304 stainless steel

The chemical composition balance of 304 stainless steel is the basis of its excellent performance. The typical components include 18%-20% chromium and 8%-10.5% nickel, while the carbon content is controlled below 0.08%. This ratio ensures the material's excellent corrosion resistance in most environments, especially its resistance to organic acids and oxidizing media.
In terms of physical properties, the density of 304 stainless steel is approximately 7.93g/cm³, with a relatively low thermal conductivity and a high coefficient of thermal expansion. These characteristics require special attention in 0.5mm thin plate applications, as the thin specification amplifies the impact of thermal deformation. In terms of mechanical properties, the typical yield strength of annealed 304 stainless steel is 205MPa, the tensile strength is 515MPa, and the elongation can reach over 40%. This excellent plasticity makes it highly suitable for stamping and deep drawing processing.
When the thickness drops to 0.5 millimeters, the anisotropy of the material becomes more obvious. The texture formed during the rolling process can lead to differences in the mechanical properties of the thin plate in the transverse and longitudinal directions, which must be taken into account in the precision forming process. Meanwhile, the ultra-thin specifications have stricter requirements for surface quality. Any minor defect may affect the performance of the final product.
304 stainless steel has the following characteristics:
- Excellent corrosion resistance: 304 stainless steel demonstrates outstanding corrosion resistance in atmospheric environments and many chemical media.
- Excellent mechanical properties: 304 stainless steel has moderate strength, good ductility and toughness, and is suitable for processing into various shapes.
- Strong weldability: It can be processed by various welding methods and still maintain good performance after welding.
- Attractive surface: The surface of 304 stainless steel is bright and shiny. After polishing, it can better display the metallic texture and is suitable for decorative purposes.

2.The processing technology of 2.0.5 mm thick 304 stainless steel

The processing of 0.5mm thick 304 stainless steel requires special process control. In the rolling process, a multi-pass precision cold rolling process must be adopted, combined with intermediate annealing to eliminate work hardening. The precise control of rolling force is crucial for ensuring thickness uniformity, and the tolerance is usually required to be controlled within ±0.02 millimeters.
Stamping forming is the most common processing method for thin plate 304 stainless steel. Due to the low rigidity of the material at a thickness of 0.5 millimeters, wrinkling and springback are prone to occur, and it is necessary to optimize the mold design and process parameters. Increasing the blank holder force, adopting stepped deep drawing and appropriate lubrication can all effectively improve the forming quality. For particularly complex parts, a multi-process progressive forming process is sometimes required.
In terms of welding, 0.5mm thin plate 304 stainless steel is suitable for high-precision welding methods such as laser welding and micro-beam plasma welding. Traditional arc welding is highly prone to burn-through and deformation, and the heat input must be strictly controlled. Appropriate heat treatment after welding can restore the corrosion resistance of the heat-affected zone. In terms of surface treatment, electrolytic polishing and chemical passivation are commonly used methods, which can significantly improve the surface quality and corrosion resistance of ultra-thin stainless steel.
Advantages of a thickness of 0.5 millimeters:
- Lightweight design: With a thickness of only 0.5 millimeters, this type of sheet is relatively light in weight, making it highly suitable for scenarios where weight reduction is required, such as the casings of electronic devices or small structural components.
- Easy to process: Its thinner thickness makes it more labor-saving during cutting, bending, stamping and other processing procedures, thereby improving production efficiency.
-Save material costs: Under the premise of meeting the strength requirements, the use of thin plates can effectively reduce the amount of material used and lower costs.
-Strong flexibility: This thickness of sheet has good flexibility and performs well in applications that require certain bending or complex shapes.

3.The application fields of 3.0.5 mm thick 304 stainless steel

In the field of electronics and electrical appliances, 0.5mm thick 304 stainless steel is widely used in precision connectors, shielding covers and micro-structural components. Its excellent electromagnetic shielding performance and corrosion resistance meet the dual demands of electronic products for reliability and precision. For instance, SIM card trays in smart phones commonly adopt this specification of material, which not only ensures strength but also achieves lightweight.
Medical devices are another important application field of ultra-thin 304 stainless steel. Surgical instruments, dental equipment and implant casings have extremely high requirements for the biocompatibility and precision processability of materials. A thickness of 0.5 millimeters can not only meet the strength requirements, but also facilitate the manufacturing of fine structures and sterilization treatment.
In the food industry, this material is mainly used for high-end food packaging and kitchen equipment. Its ultra-thin feature reduces the amount of material used while maintaining the hygiene performance of stainless steel. It particularly demonstrates unique advantages in innovative packaging designs such as easy-open LIDS and capsule coffee bags. In addition, in the field of architectural decoration, 0.5mm 304 stainless steel thin plates can be used to make high-end curtain wall veneers, which are both aesthetically pleasing and durable.
0.5mm thick stainless steel 304 plates have been widely used in the following fields:
-Household appliances: such as microwave oven inner linings, dishwasher components, and surface decorations of kitchenware, etc.
- Architectural decoration: It is used in scenarios such as wall decoration, ceilings, and elevator panels, being both aesthetically pleasing and durable.
-Electronic devices: As the casing material for mobile phones, laptops and other devices, it can not only provide protection but also enhance the texture of the products.
- Medical devices: Due to its corrosion resistance and easy cleaning properties, it is used to manufacture the casings of medical tools and equipment.
- Automotive industry: Used in the manufacturing of automotive decorative parts or certain lightweight components.

4.Precautions for Use

Although stainless steel 304 has excellent performance, the following points still need to be noted in practical use:
- Avoid long-term exposure to strong acids and alkalis: Although 304 stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, it may suffer from corrosion in high-concentration acid and alkali environments.
- Prevent surface scratches: 0.5mm in thickness is relatively thin. During handling and processing, avoid scratches from sharp objects to prevent affecting appearance and performance.
- Regular maintenance and cleaning: Especially in a humid environment, regular cleaning can extend its service life.