20mm Width x 3mm Thick 304 Stainless Steel Metal Flat Bar Strip

Metal Flat Bar

Top quality stainless steel metal flat bar strip supplied straight from Warrington, UK. As the name suggests, stainless steel flat bar is essentially pre-fabricated stainless steel strips.

There are dozens of widths and thicknesses of Stainless Steel Strips available from 20mm x 3mm thick up to 50mm x 6mm thick.

When it comes to metal flat bars, the 20mm Width x 3mm Thick 304 Stainless Steel Metal Flat Bar Strip by Speciality Metals is a top-of-the-line option for any project. Its durable composition and resistance to weather, chemicals and heat make it versatile for a wide range of applications. Additionally, its malleable nature allows for flexible shaping and manipulation without compromising its structural integrity. Not only is this metal flat bar strip dependable, it also boasts hygienic properties that make it suitable for use in industries such as food processing and medical equipment manufacturing. With various lengths available, this corrosion-resistant stainless steel flat bar is worth considering for any project requiring a reliable metal component.

Key information:

These are the available options from stock:

• 20mm Width x 3mm Thick 
• 20mm Width x 5mm Thick 
• 20mm Width x 6mm Thick 
• 25mm Width x 3mm Thick 
• 25mm Width x 5mm Thick 
• 25mm Width x 6mm Thick
• 30mm Width x 5mm Thick 
• 30mm Width x 6mm Thick 
• 40mm Width x 3mm Thick 
• 40mm Width x 5mm Thick 
• 40mm Width x 6mm Thick 
• 50mm Width x 3mm Thick 
• 50mm Width x 5mm Thick 
• 50mm Width x 6mm Thick 

Why Choose Speciality Metals

Speciality Metals is known to be the United Kingdom’s best up-and-coming small-quantity metal company.

• FREE UK delivery on all orders
• Order dispatch within 24 hours of order
• Located in Warrington, UK which is the UK home of mesh and metals
• Our experienced staff are experts in the mesh market and care personally about your customer experience

Furthermore we stock a vast range of stainless steel sections that compliment our mesh range perfectly.

Over 50,000 customers of Specialty Metals are provided with fast, friendly customer service every year. We’re the place to try when you need metal of any shape and size. We’re based in Warrington, UK.

We pride ourselves on our rapid turnaround and a large range of options.

 We are developing our online offers to give more customers access to the best metals and mesh available in the UK. 

Our mission is to be the UK’s go-to supplier for small-quantity metal requests. With an ever-growing range of products, we provide you with high quality materials, outstanding customer service and fast delivery times. Our experienced staff

We also carry a wide range of mild steel sheet metal, angle iron and round tube.

How do 304 Stainless Steel Flat Bars Fare in Acidic or Chloride-Rich Environments?

304 stainless steel flat bars have notable resistance to many corrosive environments, but their performance in acidic or chloride-rich environments requires special consideration. 

In acidic environments, the corrosion resistance of 304 stainless steel largely depends on the type and concentration of the acid, as well as the temperature of the environment. For instance, 304 stainless steel offers good resistance to nitric acid at all concentrations and temperatures, making it suitable for some applications in the nitric acid industry. However, its resistance to sulfuric acid is limited, especially at higher concentrations and temperatures.

Chloride-rich environments, such as coastal regions or areas exposed to de-icing salts, present a unique challenge for 304 stainless steel. Chlorides can break down the passive oxide layer that gives stainless steel its corrosion resistance. Once this layer is compromised, localised forms of corrosion, such as pitting and crevice corrosion, can occur. These localised corrosion forms can be detrimental, leading to material failure over time.

In swimming pool installations, spa facilities or other areas where chlorine is present, 304 stainless steel can be susceptible to stress corrosion cracking, especially in instances of prolonged exposure or at elevated temperatures.

For applications in highly acidic or chloride-rich environments, higher alloyed stainless steels, such as 316 (which contains molybdenum for enhanced corrosion resistance), might be more appropriate. The addition of molybdenum helps 316 stainless steel resist pitting and crevice corrosion better than 304, especially in marine or saltwater environments.

Are 304 Stainless Steel Flat Bars Weldable?

304 stainless steel is known for its excellent weldability, making it one of the most commonly welded stainless steels in various applications. The alloy’s balanced austenitic structure contributes to its ease of welding. A few key points to consider when welding 304 stainless steel flat bars include:

1. Welding Technique: Various welding methods, including TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas), MIG (Metal Inert Gas) and resistance welding, are compatible with 304 stainless steel. The choice of technique often depends on the specific requirements of the project.

2. Welding Atmosphere: It’s essential to ensure that the welding environment is free from contaminants. The presence of oxygen during welding can lead to oxidation, resulting in a discolored weld. Using a shielding gas, like argon, can help maintain a clean weld pool and produce a cleaner weld.

3. Intergranular Corrosion: While 304 stainless steel is generally resistant to intergranular corrosion, there’s still a risk, especially when heated within the temperature range of 425°C to 850°C. This is due to the potential precipitation of chromium carbides at grain boundaries. To minimise this risk, it’s advisable to use low-carbon variants like 304L or ensure post-weld annealing.

4. Filler Material: When welding 304 stainless steel, it’s common to use matching 304 stainless steel filler material. For improved corrosion resistance, especially if post-weld annealing isn’t possible, a 308L filler can also be used.

5. Heat Input: Controlling heat input is vital to prevent warping or distortion of the flat bar, especially given the efficient heat conduction of stainless steel. Slow cooling after welding can also help in reducing residual stresses.

6. Post-Weld Cleaning: After welding, it’s a good practice to clean the weld area to remove any oxidation, discoloration, or other contaminants. This not only enhances the appearance but also restores the passive oxide layer that gives stainless steel its corrosion resistance.

Can 304 Stainless Steel Flat Bars be Hardened by Heat Treatment?

No, 304 stainless steel flat bars cannot be significantly hardened by heat treatment in the way that certain other steels can. 

304 stainless steel is an austenitic grade, which means it has a face-centered cubic crystal structure. One of the inherent properties of austenitic stainless steels is that they cannot be hardened by heat treatment like martensitic or precipitation-hardening stainless steels. Instead, they can only be hardened through cold working. Cold working involves processes like cold rolling, drawing or bending, where the steel is deformed at room temperature. As the steel undergoes deformation, it becomes harder and stronger due to the realignment of its crystalline structure.

While 304 stainless steel can be annealed (heated and then cooled) to restore some ductility after it has been cold worked, this process will not make it harder. Instead, annealing typically softens the steel, returning it closer to its original state, making it more malleable and reducing any stresses induced by cold working.

In applications where hardness or strength is a primary concern, one might consider other grades of stainless steel or different materials that can be heat-treated for hardness. For many general purposes, however, the combination of corrosion resistance, weldability and formability of 304 stainless steel flat bars makes them a preferred choice, even if they can’t be hardened through heat treatment.