Sheet · 0.7–3 mm
Metallic — indicative fig. M·86
Fire A1 Non-combustibleEmbodied carbon 30kgCO₂e/kg HighCompressive 515MPa StructuralDesign life 50yr
Premium austenitic stainless steel sheet available in grades 304 (general purpose), 316 (marine grade), and 316L (low carbon for welding), offering exceptional corrosion resistance, formability, and long-term durability for architectural and structural applications
01 Physical
Density 8000kg/m³
Specific gravity 8
Porosity 0%
Water absorption 0%
Hardness 217
UV resistance Excellent
Chemical resistance Excellent
pH tolerance 1-14
Surface roughness 0.8µm
02 Mechanical
Tensile strength 515MPa
Compressive strength 515MPa
Flexural strength 205MPa
Shear strength 360MPa
Poisson's ratio 0.29
Impact resistance Excellent
Creep resistance Good up to 550°C
03 Thermal
Thermal conductivity 16.3W/m·K
Specific heat 500J/kg·K
Thermal expansion 15.9×10⁻⁶/°C
04 Compliance & Fire First question
Combustibility class Non-combustible
Fire resistance level Non-combustible
Flame spread index 0
Smoke dev. index 0
Heat release rate 0
05 Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon 29.6
Carbon footprint 3.7
Embodied energy 90MJ/kg
Water footprint 75L/kg
Recyclability 100%
Recycled content 60%
Renewable content 0%
Circular score 95
VOC emissions 0
Toxicity rating Non-toxic
LEED contribution 2
06 Durability · Cost · Logistics
Expected lifespan 50-100 years
Maintenance interval 6-12 months
Warranty period 10-25 years
Material cost (range) $45-150/m²
Material cost (per unit) $8-15/kg
Lead time 1-4 weeks
Lifecycle cost $150-300/m²
Annual maintenance $2-5/m²
Market availability Good
07 Assessment
Advantages
- Exceptional corrosion resistance (particularly 316/316L in marine environments)
- 100% recyclable with high scrap value
- Non-combustible (Group 1 fire rating)
- Hygienic surface with antimicrobial properties
- Low maintenance requirements
- Excellent formability and weldability
- 50-100 year service life expectancy
- Wide range of surface finishes available
- Temperature resistant from cryogenic to 870°C
- Non-magnetic in annealed condition
- Self-healing passive oxide layer
- BAL-FZ compliant for bushfire zones
Constraints
- High initial material cost ($45-120/m² for 304, $60-150/m² for 316)
- Susceptible to tea staining in coastal environments without proper maintenance
- Requires specialist fabrication equipment and skills
- Can suffer from stress corrosion cracking above 60°C in chloride environments
- Work hardening during fabrication
- Potential for galvanic corrosion when coupled with dissimilar metals
- Limited availability of thicker gauges in regional areas
- Requires passivation treatment after welding
- Higher thermal expansion than carbon steel (design consideration)
- Surface scratching shows prominently on polished finishes
08 Applications
A1 Architectural cladding and facades
A2 Marine and coastal construction
A3 Food processing equipment
A4 Hospital and laboratory fixtures
A5 Chemical plant infrastructure
A6 Kitchen splashbacks and benchtops
A7 Lift and escalator cladding
A8 Balustrades and handrails
A9 Roofing and rainwater goods (316 grade)
A10 Water treatment facilities
A11 Transport infrastructure
A12 Bushfire-prone area construction (BAL-FZ compliant)
09 Sources & Standards
Sources pending — citations for this material are not yet recorded. Verify all figures against manufacturer data and current standards before specifying.