Stainless Steel 304L Plate Prices

About 304L|Low carbon version of 304 (under 0.03% C versus 0.08% for standard 304). Exists specifically for welded assemblies where post-weld corrosion resistance matters. Slightly lower strength than standard 304 due to the reduced carbon, but in most machining applications you won't notice the difference. Machines identically to 304. The same rules apply: stay ahead of the work hardening, keep chipload up, use sharp coated carbide. Most commonly specified for welded tanks, piping, and pressure vessels in food, dairy, chemical, and pharmaceutical processing. In practice, the distinction between 304 and 304L is becoming less relevant since most modern production is dual-certified anyway.

About Plate|Thick flat stock, generally 3/16" and up, used for machined base plates, fixture plates, wear surfaces, and structural fabrication. Heavier grades get milled, drilled, and tapped directly.