Choosing the Best Steel Plate: A Step-by-Step Guide - MRS Steel

04 Aug.,2025

 

Choosing the Best Steel Plate: A Step-by-Step Guide - MRS Steel

The steel plate has many variations, like mild steel, low carbon steel, alloy steel, etc. Each type will have various applications in the industrial sector. Therefore, importers must determine their needs to choose the most accurate and suitable products.  In this section, MRS Steel will guide you with 5 tips to choose the best steel plate.

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The secret to choosing the best steel plate

MRS Steel will help you choose the best steel plate through 5 criteria to evaluate the quality and suitability:

1. Durability

The product's durability is one of the most critical considerations for importers when selecting steel plates. Steel has a significant bearing capacity and is less affected by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity... representing the safety and sustainability of the works. 

Therefore, when choosing to buy steel in general and steel plates in particular, customers are especially interested in product quality and specific product characteristics. Each type variant, such as galvanized steel, stainless steel, or color-coated steel sheet... will have different specifications, properties, and durability. 

Before you place an order, you'll need to understand your project requirements to select the correct steel. If you need to know that your project is suitable for this type of steel plate, you can contact MRS Steel via Hotline at +84 28 36 22 33 58 for the most detailed advice from a team of experts.

2. Tensile 

When choosing to buy steel plates, you must pay attention to tensile strength because this is the core property of steel. Tensile strongly influences the power of a building or other manufacturing fields; it will determine the strength and bearing capacity of the final product. The selection of steel plate grades based on the correct standards and tensile will ensure the plate can withstand heavy loads without breaking.

3. Weldability

The ability to weld will help the sheet steel bond together to create a final material suitable for the properties of each different construction. If your project requires welding of steel plates, choose product variants with weldability properties with the appropriate carbon content. Although welding can reduce the strength and hardness of steel plates, it is easy to machine into cost-effective, custom sizes and shapes.

4. Ductility

Sheet ductility is the limit to which a material can be stretched or bent before breaking completely. Customers need to choose high-ductility steel plates to ensure that they can withstand heavy loads or pressures without breaking. 

Depending on the variant of the steel plate, the internal carbon composition is different, leading to the difference in flexibility in each type. The best way to test the product's flexibility is to contact the supplier or steel industry experts for detailed advice before choosing to buy.

5. Dimensions and weight

Besides the 4 mechanical properties of steel, you need to determine the size and weight of your steel plate to order the most correct and cost-optimized order. It is usually purchased in Thickness x Width x Length units with a minimum thickness of 0.” - 0.24". Charges vary in width and length, but the most common steel plate sizes are usually 8ft wide, 12ft long, or 20ft long.

Manufacturers can cut plates into various custom sizes but cannot vary the thickness. The formula for the estimated weight for a plate order is to multiply the quantity by the volume and density:

Weight = {Thickness (mm) x Width (mm) x Length (mm) x 0. kg/mm3 } x Number of sheets

Or in pounds and inches

Weight = {[Thickness (in) x Width (in) x Length (in))] x 0. in/lb3 } x Number of sheets

*Note: Steel density 0. in/lb3 ranges from 0.28-0.291 in/lb3. The above is a good weight estimation formula, but the final material weight may vary based on the situation.

Selecting the Best Material for Your Sheet Metal Fabrication

The sheet metal used in your sheet meetal fabrication includes a very broad list of possible materials. Making the best choice for your products includes decisions about the type of metal, its thickness, and a choice of form. What you choose should be based on your overall expectations, desired end product, and recommendations from your sheet metal fabricator contractor manufacturing services

Sheet metal is made from a variety of metals that each have their own unique properties and offer unique benefits. A list of the most common sheet metal materials used for fabrication have been summarized below.

Hot rolled steel is produced when steel is processed by a series of roll presses at temperatures over °F. The process creates a steel that is easily formed or shaped into large pieces and is best used where tolerances aren’t as important.

Q235 and Q355 are 16 Mn steel grade with good formability and weldability properties. It’s commonly used for structural applications and parts for a variety of industries. Q355 offers better performance at low temperatures and offers better steel strength.

SAPH440 is commonly used for automotive frames, wheels, and other parts. It has very good tensile strength making it a good choice for load bearing or structural uses.

Advantages:

  • Good flexibility making it ideal for structural components
  • Well suited to high production runs
  • Suitable for a variety of shapes and forms
  • Cooling process hardens and normalizes the material which prevents any internal stresses
  • Lower cost than cold rolled steel
  • Good mechanical performance in terms of toughness

Disadvantages

  • Surface isrougher than cold rolled steel and can have imperfections
  • Looser tolerances than cold rolled steel
  • Require surface finishing to avoid corrosion
  • Available only in thicknesses over 3mm (0.12 inches)
  • Less formability than cold rolled steel
  • Material mechanical performance fluctuate across a single sheet / batch
  • Unstable spring back during CNC bending

Commonly used for:

  • Rail tracks, hopper cars, components
  • Construction including i-beams, metal buildings, doors, shelving
  • Vehicle frames, agricultural equipment
  • Water heaters, pipes, tubes
  • Cross-sections
  • Sheet metal

Cold rolled steel (CRS) is essentially hot rolled steel that has gone through an additional rolling process at room temperature.

This additional processing produces a steel with closer tolerances and a broader range of finishes. The result is an increase in strength by as much as 20% compared to hot rolled steel. SPCC is commonly used for automotive parts and some construction applications. SPCC can be used for galvanized products, appliances, containers, and other products.

The company is the world’s best Cold-Rolled Steel Plate supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Advantages:

  • Harder and stronger than hot rolled steel
  • Good for tight tolerances, creating shapes that are square with true edges and corners
  • Allows for precise dimensions
  • High quality smooth surface and finish
  • Easier to process than hot rolled steel with less spring back during bending
  • Stable mechanical performance across multiple batches
  • High formability

Disadvantages:

  • Additional steps required after production to prevent corrosion
  • Higher cost than hot rolled steel
  • Cold rolled steel can be more expensive than hot rolled steel
  • Only available up to 3 mm (0.12 inches) thick

Commonly used for:

  • Machine and automotive parts
  • Metal furniture, desks, cabinets
  • Home appliances
  • Lighting fixtures
  • Construction products
  • Steel drums, cabinetry, water heaters
  • Strips, bars, and rods

The category of spring steel includes several high yield strength steels including low-alloy manganese, medium-carbon steel, or high-carbon steel. They are primarily used to manufacture springs as the steel will return to its original shape after twisting or load bearing.

A carbon steel can be used for small springs, but large springs are best when an alloy is used. High carbon spring steel is a common choice, inexpensive, and easily processed. It is not suited to extreme temperatures or for shock/ impact loads. Alloy spring steel are well suited to shock or impact loads or conditions with high stress. Stainless spring steel can be used in some forms at extremely high temperatures (288°C) and are corrosion resistant. 65Mn is a high carbon with manganese to improve hardenability. It has good wear resistance and good workability.

Advantages

  • High yield strength, resistingdistortion when twisted or compressed
  • Products can withstand continuous twisting, compression etc and return to original shape
  • Good hardness, elasticity, and hardenability

Disadvantages

  • Some metals can have issues when overheated including brittleness
  • Requires tempering after heating and quenching to relieve material stresses
  • Not all are well suited to welding
  • Difficult to form in hardened and tempered state

Commonly used for:

  • Valve springs
  • Clutch springs, brake springs
  • Grinder spindles
  • Coil springs, leaf springs, and s-tines
  • Piano wire, guitar strings, precision tool wires
  • Washers
  • Lock picks
  • Antennas, scrapers
  • Blades

Aluminum is a pure metal that is easily alloyed with small amounts of other materials like copper, manganese, silicone, or magnesium. It is not magnetic or combustible and is a good conductor of electricity. Aluminum offers good corrosion resistance and is generally easy to form and process. It comes in several different grades and is often used because of its weight. It weighs about 1/3 of other materials like iron, steel, copper, and brass. It conducts heat well and is non-toxic making it a good choice in a variety of applications.

AL is a wrought alloy with high electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and workability but somewhat low mechanical strength. It’s commonly used in electrical and chemical industries. AL is most often used for architectural applications or trimming. It has high tensile properties and offers good finish options. It also offers high corrosion resistance and is a good option for anodized applications. AL is the most flexible heat-treated alloy with excellent workability. It’s well suited to most processes and has good corrosion resistance. AL is the highest strength non-heat-treated aluminum alloy and offers very good fatigue resistance. Highly workable, AL can be formed into complex shapes and offers good saltwater corrosion resistance.

Advantages

  • Corrosion resistant and generally offers a maintenance-free finish
  • Much lighter weight than alternatives like iron, steel, copper, and brass
  • Great heat conductivity
  • Nontoxic so it’s suitable for food exposure and other specialized applications
  • Non-combustible and reflective so often used for lighting
  • Good formability, workability, weldability and machineability

Disadvantages

  • More expensive than steel
  • Steel is a better option where strength is a primary concern and weight isn’t an issue
  • Some alloys are less corrosion resistant than a stainless steel option
  • Can affect taste of food so it’s less common for food or cooking applications

Commonly used for:

  • Window frames
  • Aircraft and automotive parts
  • Kitchenware
  • Food packaging
  • Lighting
  • Electrical products
  • Machinery and equipment

Stainless steel includes a variety of sheet metals which contain at least 10.5% chromium. There are many different grades available, offering corrosion resistant and a commercially familiar appearance. Standard or austenitic stainless steel (300 series steels) is very common and does not require heat during the manufacturing process. They offer good corrosion resistance, formability, and weldability.

SS301 has high work hardening and is commonly used for trailer bodies and fasteners. SS304 has low carbon, is an economical grade but is not seawater resistant. SS316 has higher molybdenum content that improves its resistance to seawater corrosion. A lower carbon version (SS316L) is available for better corrosion resistance after welding.

Advantages

  • Chromium content creates a corrosion resistant finish
  • Good combination of strength and hardness
  • Available in a variety of widths, thickness, and hardness levels
  • Can be used for hot or cold treatments/ processes
  • Suitable for a variety of processing techniques including spinning, brazing, polishing, buffing
  • Weldable and suitable for soldering or riveting processes
  • Very machinable
  • Recyclable

Disadvantages

  • Can have corrosion at thick welding points
  • Possible chipping during processing
  • Tends to be more expensive
  • Shows dirt and smudges easily and sometimes difficult to clean
  • May require polishing and finishing

Commonly used for:

  • Construction products like roofing, cladding, building structures, doors and windows
  • Food processing equipment, cookware, and appliances
  • Cooking utensils, kitchen sinks
  • Vehicles including subways, cars airplanes
  • Fuel and chemical containers

Cold galvanized steel has a zinc coating painted to the steel surface to protect it from corrosion. The coating will provide both a barrier protection and a galvanic protection to help extend the life of the product. It can be applied with brushes, rollers, sprayers, or through electro galvanizing. The paint includes special binders so it will mechanically bond to the steel. SGCCis a galvanized steel with good weldability and formability. It can have a pure zinc coating or have a Zn/Fe alloy coating.

Advantages

  • Protection in corrosive environments with a barrier and potentially cathodic protection for the steel
  • Surfaces are generally easy to clean
  • Low maintenance and good life expectancy for finished product
  • Cost effective, fast application process
  • Better than hot-dipped galvanization for small parts and components
  • Can topcoat without any additional preparation

Disasdvantages

  • Surface of the steel must be clean and dry before application. This requires an extra step but is less demanding than hot-dipped applications
  • Doesn’t offer as good durability, abrasion resistance, or cathodic protection as hot-dipped galvanizing
  • Physical damage can compromise the coating and result in corrosion
  • Surface can include spangles

Commonly used for:

  • Roofing, shutters, and other covers
  • Equipment bodies

The yield strength of a metal is the point at which applied stress will cause it to deform and not return to its original shape. It provides an indication of a metal’s elasticity and the maximum force you can apply to it before it will permanently deform, buckle, or even fail. Processes like annealing can impact the yield strength of some materials.

  • High yield strength metals: spring steel, cold galvanized steel, cold rolled steel, hot rolled steel, titanium, stainless steel, aluminum alloys
  • Low yield strength metals: copper, brass, some aluminum alloys

Tensile strength refers to ability of a metal to resist force. Higher tensile strength requires more force to snap it for example. If the product you’re producing doesn’t need to bear any load, then a metal with less tensile strength might be the best choice. Keep in mind that how you form the sheet metal can impact its strength and the load it can bear.

  • High tensile strength metals: spring steel, hot rolled steel, cold rolled steel, cold galvanized steel, stainless steel, titanium
  • Low tensile strength metals: aluminum

The material you choose should take into consideration the environment it will be exposed to. Some metals respond better than others to factors like water, oxidation, or other elements it will be exposed to. Some metals, like stainless steel, won’t corrode but they can develop an oxide film. Also keep in mind that galvanic corrosion can occur when to dissimilar metals are in contact with each other.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Construction Steel H-Beam. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

  • Less corrosion resistant metals: cold-rolled carbon steel
  • More corrosion resistant metals: copper, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, tin