In 2025, AISI/UNS 410 stainless steel plate remains one of the lowest-cost stainless grades for plate and sheet applications — typically trading in the rough range of USD 1,000–1,600 per metric tonne (FOB China) for commodity mill-grade plate and higher in Western markets once processing, freight and duties are added. Prices are patchy by region and finished spec: cut-to-size, surface finish, tempering and certification push the final plate cost substantially above base mill price.

What is 410 stainless steel?

We use 410 (UNS S41000, often called AISI 410) when an application needs a martensitic stainless that can be hardened by heat treatment but does not require the high corrosion resistance or alloy cost of austenitic grades. It is a chromium-bearing, low-nickel martensitic steel (~11–13% Cr) that is magnetic, heat-treatable, and suitable for moderately corrosive environments.

Chemical composition and standards

Typical composition (nominal):

• Chromium: ~11.5–13.5%

• Carbon: ~0.15% (varies by subgrade)

• Manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur: residue amounts

• Nickel: very low or absent (unlike 300 series)

Common standards and cross-references: UNS S41000; European EN 1.4006; common ASTM/ASME placements for plate and bar forms include references under the stainless plate families (often supplied to ASTM A240/ASME SA-240 or equivalent mill product standards depending on end use and ordering language). For mechanical and metallurgical data, industry technical datasheets remain the practical compliance documents.

Mechanical properties and heat treatment

410 is martensitic: it can be hardened by quenching and tempered to tailor strength and toughness. In annealed condition it’s machinable and ductile. Typical tensile strength and yield vary widely with heat treatment; hardened and tempered plate can reach much higher strengths than annealed stock. Heat treatment adds cost: normalization, quench, and temper cycles require controlled furnaces and quench oil/water baths and therefore increase the mill price of finished plate.

Typical product forms and finishes

Common mill forms for 410 plate:

• Hot-rolled plates (thicker plate)

• Cold-rolled sheets (thin gauge, better surface)

• Cut-to-size plate and blanks

• Polished or passivated surfaces (for mild corrosion environments)

Surface finish, dimensional tolerances and thickness all influence per-ton pricing — e.g., thin cold-rolled, high-surface-finish sheets will cost more per kg than thick hot-rolled plate.

Where 410 plate is used (key markets)

We most often see 410 plate used in:

• Valves, pump components and power-plant parts (wear + mild corrosion)

• Shafts, fasteners and cut-to-size industrial parts requiring moderate corrosion resistance and the ability to harden

• Decorative but magnetic fixtures where cost beats 300-series requirements

• Some food equipment components after polishing and passivation (with caution)

These end uses create demand patterns that are seasonal and project-driven — not as steady as construction structural steel but linked to maintenance cycles in oil & gas, water treatment, and heavy industrial plants.

Primary price drivers in 2025

Several factors move 410 plate pricing in 2025:

• Raw material inputs: iron ore, alloy inputs (chromium), and the LME price of nickel influence broader stainless pricing. While 410 has little nickel, global stainless benchmarks follow nickel/ferrochrome trends.

• Stainless scrap markets: scrap availability and grade premiums materially affect domestic mill margins; scrap spikes raise spot plate prices. U.S. scrap quotes for 410 plate scrap are tracked independently and can show volatility.

• Logistics and freight: ocean freight and inland haul dominate delivered cost for export orders. Freight volatility in 2024–25 has tightened margins for exporters.

• Tariffs and trade measures: import duties, antidumping measures, or quota actions in a purchasing country will raise landed costs; 2025 has seen tariff discussions affect stainless indices and purchasing behavior.

• Processing / finishing: heat treatment, certification (e.g., EN 10204 3.1/3.2), special surface treatments add to the base mill price.

Regional pricing snapshot

Price data varies by seller, lot size, finish and contract terms. For transparency we give ranges and explain what they mean in practice — use these as starting points for RFQs, not firm offers.

Key sources and reasoning behind ranges: Chinese mill/merchant offers listed on trade platforms commonly show commodity 410 plate / coil at ~$1,000–1,400/tonne FOB China for basic hot-rolled material; marketplace listings and small supplier quotes give per-kg figures consistent with this band. Western European and U.S. finished plate prices are generally substantially higher on a delivered and cut-to-size basis because of higher energy, labor, and certification costs. Regional price differences also reflect currency and local scrap supply.

Global price comparison table (typical ranges, 2025)

Notes: ranges show typical market windows for commodity mill-grade 410 plate in 2025. "FOB/EXW" indicates seller factory basis; "Landed" includes rough estimates for freight and basic import charges (not project duties or local taxes). Use as reference only — get fresh quotes.

How to read this table: If your RFQ asks for “1.5 mm cold-rolled, picked finish, EN 10204 3.1” the European and US figures on the right apply — not the low Chinese FOB numbers. For bulk, unmilled hot-rolled plate shipped full containers, China FOB tends to be the low end.

How specification choices change price

We frequently see the following adders:

• Surface finish / polishing: adds 5–25% depending on grade of polish.

• Heat treatment (quenched & tempered to specific hardness): adds processing cost — notable for wear components.

• Certification and inspection (3.1, 3.2 reports, material traceability): adds administrative and testing costs; factory mill test certificates may be standard but third-party inspection increases price.

• Cutting, CNC blanking, welding prep: value-added processing from merchant mills adds per-piece labor and reduces per-ton discounts.

• Small quantities / short lead time: premiums apply — buyers requesting <1 tonne or fast turnaround pay materially more per kg.

Buying and procurement tips (practical, experience-driven)

We recommend the following approach from our procurement desk:

1. Specify functional requirements first — list environment (pH, chloride exposure), required hardness, finish and certifications. Suppliers quote far more accurately when they know the end use.

2. Ask for a full landed quote — get FOB/EXW, freight, duty, and processing separately so you can compare apples to apples.

3. Request sample test certificates up front — MTC (EN 10204) and chemical analysis cut sheets. If you need third-party testing, note this in the RFQ.

4. Bundle work if possible — longer runs, bigger volumes lower per-ton markups.

5. Consider scrap arbitration — in some markets you can negotiate price floors/ceilings tied to scrap indices or stainless MMI; this can reduce risk for both sides.

Inspection, QA and traceability we require

For demanding projects we insist on:

• Mill Test Certificate EN 10204 3.1 (or equivalent)

• Chemical composition and heat treatment records (hardness reports if quenched/tempered)

• Dimensional inspection and surface finish documentation

• Where corrosion resistance matters, passivation certificates or salt spray test (as applicable)

• Third-party inspection (by SGS, BV, Intertek) when contract value or safety is critical

These quality steps add time and cost but are non-negotiable for pressure equipment, safety parts, and high-value components.

Storage, handling and lifecycle costs

410 is not stainless steel in the same sense as 316 — corrosion resistance is moderate. For longest life:

• Keep plates dry and indoors where possible; store on timber pallets separated from carbon steel to avoid galvanic contact.

• After fabrication, passivate and clean welds to remove free iron deposits.

• Regular maintenance and inspection prevent premature corrosion in marginal environments — lifecycle costs often outweigh slight initial savings from choosing a cheaper grade.

Market outlook and 2025 drivers

Industry price monitors in 2025 point to a market influenced by:

• Fluctuating raw material indices (ferrochrome and nickel pressure on broader stainless curves), and local scrap tightness.

• Trade policy adjustments and tariffs that periodically disrupt landed cost parity between China and Western producers.

Buyers should plan RFQs with clear delivery windows and consider price-index linkage clauses for contracts longer than 60–90 days.

FAQs

Q1 — What is the cheapest way to buy 410 stainless plate?
A: Buy in bulk (tonne quantities), accept basic hot-rolled finish, source FOB China or India, and handle final processing locally. Avoid small cut-to-size merchant purchases if price is primary driver.

Q2 — Is 410 as corrosion-resistant as 304?
A: No. 410 offers moderate resistance suitable for mild atmospheres and some water exposures. For chloride-rich or highly corrosive environments, austenitic grades (304/316) are safer choices.

Q3 — Will tariffs make Chinese 410 more expensive than U.S. plate in 2025?
A: That depends on current trade measures. Tariffs and antidumping actions have influenced stainless indices in 2025; they can make landed Chinese plate close to or above U.S. domestic plate once duties and freight are included. Monitor tariff notices and include duty scenarios in RFQs.

Q4 — How should I specify 410 plate for heat-treated components?
A: Provide required hardness, tempering temperature ranges, and acceptance tests (hardness, impact where relevant). Include heat treatment records and MTC requirements in purchase order.

Q5 — Where can I find reliable price indices for stainless steel in 2025?
A: Industry services (Fastmarkets, MetalMiner, SteelOrbis) publish regional indices and analysis; they are the preferred commercial references for procurement teams. Fastmarkets’ 2025 forecasts and MetalMiner commentary are particularly informative for price direction.