SS 304 Perforated Sheet :Weight Chart, Open Area

What Is 304 Perforated Sheet specifications?

304 perforated plate is a metal sheet made from 304 stainless steel an austenitic alloy containing 18% chromium and 8% nickel that undergoes precision punching to create various hole patterns (such as round, square, or slotted). These plates are available in a range of thicknesses (e.g., 11GA to 16GA) and hole configurations (such as staggered patterns) to balance airflow, filtration efficiency, and structural strength.

 

However, buyers often face several challenges when sourcing perforated stainless steel sheets:

How does perforation affect sheet weight?
What is the relationship between open area and strength?
Should you choose 304 or 316 perforated sheet?
How to verify genuine ASTM A240 Grade 304 material?

 

How does perforation affect sheet weight?

Perforation significantly reduces the overall weight of a stainless steel sheet because part of the material is removed during the punching process. For example, a solid 3 mm thick 304 stainless steel sheet weighs approximately 23.79 kg/m². If the perforated pattern provides a 40% open area, the actual sheet weight decreases to approximately 14.27 kg/m², representing a weight reduction of nearly 40%. This lower weight can reduce transportation costs, simplify installation, and improve handling efficiency, especially in large ventilation, filtration, and architectural projects.

304 Perforated Sheet Weight Chart

Thickness (mm)	Hole Size (mm)	Pitch (mm)	Open Area (%)	Weight (kg/m2)
0.5	1.0	2.0	22.7%	3.06
0.5	2.0	3.5	29.6%	2.79
0.8	1.5	3.0	22.7%	4.90
0.8	3.0	5.0	32.7%	4.27
1.0	2.0	4.0	22.7%	6.13
1.0	3.0	5.0	32.7%	5.34
1.0	5.0	8.0	35.4%	5.12
1.2	3.0	5.0	32.7%	6.41
1.5	3.0	5.0	32.7%	8.01
1.5	5.0	8.0	35.4%	7.69
1.5	8.0	12.0	40.3%	7.10
2.0	5.0	8.0	35.4%	10.25
2.0	8.0	12.0	40.3%	9.47
2.0	10.0	15.0	40.3%	9.47
3.0	5.0	9.0	28.0%	17.13
3.0	10.0	16.0	35.4%	15.37
5.0	10.0	15.0	40.3%	23.67

 

What Is the Relationship Between Open Area and Strength?

Open area is one of the most important factors affecting airflow, filtration efficiency, and sheet strength. As the open area increases, airflow, drainage, and filtration efficiency improve, but the sheet's load-bearing capacity decreases. For example, a perforated sheet with 30–35% open area typically maintains excellent structural rigidity for industrial platforms and equipment guards, while sheets with 45–60% open area provide superior ventilation but may lose more than 25–40% of their bending strength compared to solid sheets of the same thickness.

Open Area (%) = Total Hole Area ÷ Total Sheet Area × 100

Hole Diameter	Pitch	Open Area
3 mm	5 mm	32.6%
5 mm	8 mm	35.4%
8 mm	12 mm	40.3%
10 mm	15 mm	40.2%

 

What Is the Current Market Price of SS 304 Perforated Sheets?

The market price of ASTM A240 Grade 304 perforated stainless steel sheets is influenced by several factors, including nickel prices, stainless steel coil costs, sheet thickness, perforation pattern complexity, and order quantity. In the current export market, standard SS 304 perforated sheets are typically priced between USD 2.8 and USD 3.6 per kilogram (FOB China).

For example, a 2 mm thick 304 perforated sheet with a standard round-hole pattern is commonly quoted at USD 2.9–3.3/kg, while thicker or custom-perforated sheets may exceed USD 3.5/kg due to higher material consumption and processing costs. Buyers placing bulk orders of 20 tons or more can often benefit from volume discounts, optimized production scheduling, and more competitive freight rates, helping reduce the overall procurement cost.

 

Applications of 304 Stainless Steel Perforated Sheet

Filtration & Ventilation: Woven/welded screens for water filtration, HVAC, and BBQ pits.

Architecture & Decor: Balcony railings, wall cladding, and cabinet inserts.

Food & Industrial: Food preparation surfaces, breweries, and chemical processing.

 

304 or 316 Perforated Sheet :How to choose?

The choice between 304 and 316 perforated stainless steel depends on the service environment. Grade 304 is the most economical option and performs well in general industrial, architectural, and food-processing applications. Grade 316 contains 2–3% molybdenum (Mo), which significantly improves resistance to chlorides, seawater, and aggressive chemicals. In coastal or chemical-processing environments, 316 perforated sheet can provide a service life that is often 30–50% longer than 304, although its price is typically 20–40% higher.

 

How to Verify Genuine ASTM A240 Grade 304 Material?

Verifying genuine ASTM A240 Grade 304 stainless steel starts with checking the Mill Test Certificate (MTC) and confirming the chemical composition. According to ASTM A240 requirements, Grade 304 should contain 18.0–20.0% chromium (Cr) and 8.0–10.5% nickel (Ni), with carbon content not exceeding 0.08%. Buyers should also request a PMI (Positive Material Identification) test report and EN 10204 3.1 certification. In large industrial projects, PMI verification can reduce the risk of grade substitution by more than 95%, helping prevent costly failures caused by lower-grade materials such as 201 stainless steel being supplied as 304.

 

304 Perforated Sheet Supplier

304 Perforated sheets supplied by GNEE undergo a secondary precision leveling process after stamping. We control sheet flatness to a strict tolerance of ≤ ±2 mm deviation per 1,000 mm length. This minimizes distortion, drastically reducing setup difficulties during welding, laser cutting, and structural framing. Feedback from our clients indicates that leveled sheets improve installation efficiency by up to 30% and significantly enhance welding accuracy.

Each SS304 perforated plate passes through an automated deburring system to eliminate sharp edges and die-stamping burrs. Furthermore, we apply degreasing and optional ultrasonic cleaning processes to maximize surface cleanliness. Deliverables are ready for immediate welding, coating, or assembly without the need for secondary grinding or washing, saving labor costs and accelerating production cycles.

 

For engineering projects requiring precise margin configurations and hole alignment, our advanced CNC perforation systems maintain pitch and hole diameter tolerances within ±0.10 mm. Prior to mass production, we generate detailed CAD drawings for client sign-off, ensuring that hole patterns, unperforated margins, and outer dimensions perfectly match your specifications to eliminate costly field modifications.

Upload CAD Drawing for Customization

 

ASTM A240 304 Perforated Stainless Steel Sheet Specifications

Item	Specification
Product Name	ASTM A240 304 Perforated Stainless Steel Sheet
Thickness Range	0.3 mm – 12.0 mm
Width Range	1000 mm, 1219 mm, 1250 mm, 1500 mm
Length Range	2000 mm, 2438 mm, 3000 mm, 6000 mm or Customized
Hole Shape	Round, Square, Slotted, Hexagonal, Decorative
Hole Pattern	60° Staggered, 45° Staggered, Straight Line
Surface Finish	2B, BA, No.1, No.4, HL, Mirror
Edge Condition	Mill Edge (ME), Slit Edge (SE)
Certificate	EN 10204 3.1, MTC
Inspection	PMI, SGS, BV, TUV Available
Delivery Time	7–15 Days

If your project requires specific sheet thicknesses, perforation rates, or dimensions, please let me know, and I can assist you in finding specifications that meet your requirements.

Custom 304 Stainless Steel Perforated Plate

Hole Size Selection Guide

Feature	Round Holes	Square Holes	Slotted/Rectangular	Hexagonal	Typical Open Area %
Pattern	60° Staggered / Straight	Straight / Staggered	Side Staggered / End Staggered	Staggered	10% – 75%
Hole Diameter/Size	0.5 mm – 25.0 mm	3.0 mm – 20.0 mm	1.0 x 20.0 mm – Custom	5.0 mm – 25.0 mm	Custom based on pitch
Pitch (P)	D + min 0.5mm (Bridge)	S + min 1.0mm (Bridge)	Custom	Custom	Calculated per pattern

 

 Dimensional Tolerances & Surface Finish (Horizontal)

Thickness Range	Width Tolerance	Length Tolerance	Flatness Tolerance	Standard Finishes	Edge Treatment
0.5mm – 6.0mm	± 2.0 mm	± 5.0 mm	≤ 5mm / Meter (after leveling)	2B, BA, No.4 (Brushed), HL	Deburred / Safe Edge
(Cold or Hot Rolled)	(CNC Precision Cut)	(CNC Precision Cut)	(Using Roller Leveler)	(PVC Coating Optional)	(Margins as specified)

 

Customer Requirements:
SS-304 Perforated Plate: Compliant with ASTM A-240 standard
Plate Dimensions: 1500 x 3000 x 1.5 mm (Weight: approx. 35 kg) | Hole Diameter: 3 mm
Hole Pitch: 6 mm (Triangular arrangement)
Hole Shape: Round
Arrangement: 60° staggered pattern (hole centers located at the vertices of an equilateral triangle); please refer to the drawing for details.

Quality Control (QC)

PMI Testing: Handheld XRF spectrometers perform random sampling or 100% inspection per batch to verify metallurgy.

Aperture & Pitch (D & P): Digital vernier calipers measure hole diameters and center-to-center distances accurately.

Margin Dimensions: Inspectors verify unperforated border widths against approved technical drawings.

 

Shipping Documentation

Every shipment includes comprehensive documentation to guarantee full quality traceability:

EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificate (MTC)

 

Premium Export-Grade Sea Freight Packaging

Surface Masking: Single- or double-sided laser-film coating (PVC/PE) prevents scratches during stamping and stacking.

Interleaving Paper: Moisture-proof, anti-scratch paper is inserted between non-masked sheets.

Shipping Marks: Waterproof labels specify material grade, dimensions, piece count, gross weight, net weight, and Heat Number.