We believe that clarity and precision are paramount when specifying flat‑rolled stainless products. Short answer? ASTM A480 lays out the general requirements—dimensions, tolerances, testing, and documentation—that underpin every reliable supply chain in stainless‑steel sheet and strip. It’s the backbone of quality control in industries from food processing to aerospace.

Scope of ASTM A480/A480M

ASTM A480 applies to flat‑rolled stainless and heat‑resisting steels in coils and cut lengths. It does not cover product analysis or detailed chemistry for specific grades—that’s left to the individual material standards (for example, A240). Instead, A480 specifies:

Dimensional tolerances (thickness, width, length)
Permissible variations in flatness and camber
Surface condition requirements
Testing (tensile, bend, hardness) and certification procedures

In effect, A480 is the “wrapper” spec ensuring that whatever stainless grade you specify meets consistent production and inspection criteria, regardless of origin.

Grades and Designations

Although A480 doesn’t define grade chemistries itself, it references the following common series for sheet, plate, and strip:

Series	Typical Grades	Primary Use Cases
200	201, 202	Limited corrosive environments
300	304, 304L, 316, 316L	Food, architecture, cryogenic
400	410, 430	Cutlery, decorative trim, auto parts
Duplex	2205, 2507	Offshore, chemical processing

We note that while each A240‑defined grade varies chemically, all must comply with A480’s quality checks before shipment.

Chemical Composition Overview

We refer to individual standards (e.g., A240, A666) for exact chemistries, but key elements include Cr, Ni, C, and Mo. Below is a representative comparison:

Grade	C (max)	Cr	Ni	Mo	Mn (max)	N (max)
304	0.08	18–20	8–10	—	2.00	—
316	0.08	16–18	10–14	2–3	2.00	—
410	0.15	11.5–13.5	—	—	1.00	—
2205	0.03	22–23	4.5–6.5	3.0	2.00	0.20

Data Citation: Chemical data sourced from ASTM A240/A240M‑21 (for 304, 316) and ASTM A240/A240M‑21 “Supplementary Requirements” (for duplex 2205).

Mechanical Properties and Strength Performance

Mechanical criteria in A480 include tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and bend test:

Grade	Tensile (ksi)	Yield (ksi)	Elongation (%)	Hardness (HRB)
304	75–95	≥30	≥40	≤85
316	75–95	≥30	≥40	≤85
410	75–100	≥35	≥20	≤90
2205	80–100	≥50	≥25	≤90

Bend testing ensures ductility: 180° bend over a mandrel equal to twice material thickness without visible cracks. We emphasize testing per A480 Section 9.

Data Citation: Performance metrics from ASTM A480/A480M‑21, Table 10 specifications.

Dimensional Tolerances and Size Table

Dimensional control is critical “on the shop floor.” ASTM A480’s Table 1 defines permissible thickness and width tolerances:

Nominal Thickness (mm)	Tolerance ± (mm)	Width ≤ 600 mm	Width > 600 mm
0.5 – 0.9	0.05	±1.0	±1.5
1.0 – 2.0	0.07	±1.5	±2.0
2.0 – 4.0	0.10	±2.0	±2.5
4.0 – 6.0	0.13	±2.5	±3.0

Flatness and camber tolerances ensure the sheet lies true in end use.

Testing and Experimental Data

We perform a battery of tests to guarantee compliance:

Tensile Test (ASTM A370) – Determines ultimate and yield strengths.
Bend Test (A480 §9) – Confirms ductility.
Nick Break Test – Verifies lamination absence.
Surface Inspection – Visual and knife‐edge tests for defects.

In recent trials on 316L 2 mm strip, we observed average tensile strength of 82 ksi and elongation of 42 %—exceeding the minimum by 10 % (Source: Luokaiwei internal report, Q1 2025).

Global Standard Equivalents

ASTM A480 parallels standards worldwide:

Region	Standard	Equivalent Specimen
Europe	EN 10088‑2:2014	1.4301 (304), 1.4404 (316L)
Japan	JIS G 4305	SUS304, SUS316
China	GB /T 4237‑2022	06Cr19Ni10 (304), 00Cr17Ni14Mo2 (316L)
ISO	ISO 9445‑1:2016	4301 (304), 4404 (316L)

This cross‑reference simplifies procurement in multinational projects.

Comparison with Other Grades

How does A480 flat‑rolled 304 compare with A276 Type 304 bar or A312 pipe? The key difference: A480 sets manufacturing and testing criteria for sheet and strip only. Bars (A276) and tubes (A312) follow separate general requirements. In practice, you’ll find:

A276 Bars: Stricter straightness, less focus on surface finish.
A312 Pipes: Pressure‑tight testing, not flatness.

Thus, specifying A480 ensures you get sheet/strip qualities that match your intended forming, welding, or finishing operations.

X. Case Study: Automotive Panel Application

In 2024, a European OEM required 0.8 mm 304 A480M sheet for exterior trim. Challenge: maintain high corrosion resistance in seaside climates. Solution:

Material: 304 cold‑rolled, bright annealed per A480/A240
Testing: Enhanced salt‑spray testing (per ASTM B117) for 1,000 hrs
Outcome: Panels showed no pitting; formability within ±0.02 mm.

We delivered 50 tons within eight weeks, reducing refurbishment cycles by 30 %—saving the customer over €200 k in downtime. Our proactive quality checks “in the field” ensured no surprises on the assembly line.

XI. Procurement Considerations for ASTM A480

When sourcing A480‑compliant product, watch for:

Mill Certifications: Ensure supplier provides mill‑test reports (MTRs) per A480 §7.
Surface Finish: Verify finish (No. 1, 2B, BA) matches end use.
Coil vs. Cut Length: Coil handling vs. cut strips changes logistics.
Tolerance Requirements: Confirm thickness/width flatness tolerances align with your forming processes.
Heat Resisting vs. Stainless: For applications above 600 °C, choose heat‑resisting series with appropriate supplement.

XII. Why Choose Luokaiwei for ASTM A480 Products

We at Luokaiwei specialize in A480‑certified stainless coil and sheet. Here’s what sets us apart:

Factory Direct: Competitive pricing by eliminating middlemen.
Rapid Delivery: Global logistics partnerships get you product in as little as two weeks.
24 hr Quotation: Instant quotes keep your project on schedule.
Rigorous QA: In‑house labs verify compliance per A480 and individual grade standards.

we deliver peace of mind—so you focus on production, not paperwork.

FAQs

What does ASTM A480 cover?
It specifies general requirements—tolerances, testing, documentation—for flat‑rolled stainless and heat‑resisting steel plate, sheet, and strip.
Is A480 a chemistry spec?
No. A480 references individual grade specs (e.g., A240 for chemistry). It defines how the material must be produced and tested.
How do I verify A480 compliance?
Request mill‑test reports (MTRs) that include dimensional, mechanical, and visual inspection data per A480 §7.
Can I use A480 material in high‑temperature service?
Yes—choose heat‑resisting grades covered by A480’s supplementary requirements for elevated‐temperature properties.
Why choose Luokaiwei for A480 sheet?
We combine factory‑direct pricing, rapid global logistics, and rigorous in‑house testing, ensuring on‑time delivery of fully compliant product.