Picking stainless sheet thickness is a design decision first and a workshop decision second. Start from what the part must do—span, resist dents, bend cleanly—and then check tonnage, inside radius, and weight.
A quick way to decide
- Span and load: Set the minimum thickness that won’t wobble or oil‑can between supports. Add beads/flanges if you want strength without weight.
- Feel and impact: If people touch it, choose a thickness that feels solid under hand.
- Forming: Confirm your minimum inside radius and the press brake tonnage for the length of the bend.
Practical bands (304/316 sheet)
| Use | Common thickness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Light covers | 0.8–1.0 mm | Short spans, protect finish |
| General panels | 1.2–1.5 mm | Good stiffness and bendability |
| Worktops/doors | 1.5–2.0 mm | Better dent resistance |
| Heavy panels | 2.5–3.0 mm | Longer spans, more robust |
Bending and finish
- Use PE film on No.4/HL faces; bend with grain awareness to avoid stretch marks.
- As thickness rises, increase inside radius (≥1.0t typical for stainless).
- Plan deburr after laser; protect visible edges.
Spec line to copy
- Material: 304 2B, 1.5 mm
- Finish: No.4 on visible faces, film‑protected
- Forming: Min inside radius ≥ 1.0t; grain along bend
- Edges: Deburr after cutting
Tell us your span and whether the surface is visible. We’ll suggest a thickness and bend plan you can build with confidence.