Which sheet should I choose?
The right material depends on where the part will work, the load it will carry and how it needs to look. A quick comparison:
| Material | Strength | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel | Corrosion resistance, hygiene, appearance | Food, kitchens, coastal areas, visible surfaces |
| Carbon steel | Strength, economical price, easy welding | Machine frames, structures, parts to be painted |
| Galvanized sheet | Zinc coating protects against rust | Outdoor use, ventilation, roofing and cladding |
| Aluminium plate | Light (about one third of steel), does not rust | Vehicle bodies, cladding, portable equipment |
| Wear plate | High hardness, wear and impact resistance | Buckets, dump bodies, hoppers, mills, crushers |
Not sure? Just tell us where and how the part will be used and we will choose the right material together.
Stainless steel sheet
Stainless steel is chosen for food equipment, kitchens, elevator cabins, architectural and industrial projects thanks to its corrosion resistance, hygiene and appearance.
| Grade | Key feature | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| AISI 304 | General purpose, good corrosion resistance | Food equipment, kitchens, tanks, general fabrication |
| AISI 316 | Contains molybdenum, more resistant to chlorides and salt | Marine environments, chemicals, pharma, coastal structures |
| AISI 430 | Ferritic, economical | Decorative cladding, appliances, interiors |
Surface finishes: matt (2B), bright, brushed (satin) and patterned.
Carbon steel sheet
Carbon steel sheet is used in machinery, construction, automotive and energy projects where strength comes first. We supply common grades such as S235 and S355.
| Grade | Key feature | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| S235 | Easy to form and weld | General fabrication, structures, machine frames |
| S355 | Higher strength | Load-bearing structures, heavy machinery, chassis |
Galvanized sheet
Galvanized sheet is steel coated with zinc. The zinc layer protects the steel from moisture and air, so it can be used outdoors for a long time without rusting and without paint. It combines the strength of carbon steel with extra rust protection at a lower price than stainless.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Coating | Hot-dip zinc coating; coating weight chosen to suit the application (e.g. Z100–Z275 g/m²) |
| Surface | Regular spangle or minimized spangle finish |
| Workability | Can be cut, bent and riveted; welding requires ventilation against zinc fumes |
Applications: ventilation and HVAC ducts, chimney caps, roofing and cladding, electrical panels, agricultural and livestock equipment, trailer toolboxes.
Tip: the cut edge of laser-cut galvanized sheet has no zinc coating. For parts used outdoors, applying cold galvanizing spray or paint to the edges is recommended.
Aluminium plate
Aluminium plate weighs about one third as much as steel and does not rust thanks to its natural oxide layer. It is the first choice for projects that need low weight, corrosion resistance and easy forming.
| Alloy | Key feature | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1050 | High purity, very easy to form | Cladding, signage, decorative work, reflectors |
| 5754 | Seawater resistant, good weldability | Vehicle bodies, boats, tanks, facades |
| 5083 | High strength, harsh-environment resistance | Marine, pressure vessels, heavy-duty housings |
Besides flat plate, anti-slip tread (checker) aluminium plate is used for steps, truck floors and ramps.
Applications: truck and trailer bodies, caravans and special vehicles, facade and interior cladding, signage, machine guards, food and refrigeration equipment.
Wear plates
Wear plates are high-hardness steel plates made for surfaces worn by friction, impact and sliding material. They last much longer than ordinary structural steel, extending maintenance intervals and lowering replacement costs.
| Hardness class | Key feature | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| HB 400 | Balance of wear resistance and formability | Dump bodies, bucket shells, conveyors, chutes |
| HB 450 | Higher wear resistance, impact toughness | Bucket lips, crusher liners, hopper interiors |
| HB 500 | Highest wear resistance | Heavily worn liners, mill and screen parts |
The harder the plate, the longer it lasts — but bending and welding become more difficult. Tell us whether the part will be bent and how much impact it will take, and we will choose the right class together.
Applications: excavator buckets and grapples, dump and truck bodies, hopper and silo linings, mills and crushers, mining, quarry, recycling and concrete plant equipment.
Sheet + cutting + bending
You can buy the sheet as full plates, or have it laser cut and bent and receive finished parts — leaving no offcuts or transport hassle on your side. Use our metal weight calculator to check the weight in advance.
