What are 2 mm thick stainless steel sheets suitable for?

Stainless steel sheet in a thickness of 2.0 mm belongs to the category of flat products made from corrosion-resistant steels. Technically, these are alloy steels that must contain at least 10.5% chromium to form the characteristic passive layer. In structural applications, the 2 mm material thickness represents a strategic balance: it is substantial enough to ensure high inherent rigidity and visual flatness across larger surfaces, yet can still be precisely folded, laser-cut and welded using standard tools. We process these sheets using mechanical and chemical methods to meet both technical and decorative industry requirements.

Designation and synonyms

V2A and V4A

In German-speaking countries, the designations V2A and V4A have become established as synonyms for stainless steel. Historically, V2A stands for “Versuchsschmelze 2 Austenit” (test melt 2 austenite) and today usually refers to grade 1.4301. V4A, on the other hand, such as grade 1.4404, also contains molybdenum. We supply both variants in 2 mm thickness, with V4A primarily used in environments with increased exposure to corrosion, such as coastal areas or the chemical industry.

AISI standards and international standards

In an international context, classification is often based on the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) system. The commonly used 2 mm stainless steel sheet in grade 1.4301 is designated AISI 304 under this system. The more acid-resistant grade 1.4404 corresponds to AISI 316L. These standards are essential for our globally active customers in mechanical and plant engineering, ensuring that material properties can be compared worldwide.

Inox and Stainless Steel

The term “Inox” derives from the French “inoxydable” and is widely used internationally as a synonym for stainless steel. In technical terminology, we refer more precisely to corrosion-resistant steel in accordance with DIN EN 10088. At mirrorINOX, we use these terms correctly to avoid misunderstandings when specifying 2 mm sheets and to ensure the exact identification of the alloying elements.

Chemical Composition

The chemical composition of the 2 mm stainless steel sheets we process is crucial to their subsequent performance. We primarily work with the following alloying elements:

• Chromium (Cr): A content of 17.5% to 19.5% ensures corrosion resistance through the formation of a passive layer.
• Nickel (Ni): At a content of 8.0% to 10.5%, nickel stabilizes the austenitic microstructure and improves toughness and weldability.
• Molybdenum (Mo): Present in V4A grades (1.4404) at approx. 2.0% to 2.5% to increase resistance to pitting corrosion in chloride-containing environments.
• Carbon (C): We ensure low carbon content (below 0.07%) to prevent intergranular corrosion after welding.
• Manganese and silicon: These elements optimize the mechanical properties and deoxidation during steel production.

Properties

Mechanical properties

Our 2 mm stainless steel sheets have a tensile strength of approx. 500 to 700 N/mm². The yield strength is typically at least 200 N/mm². These properties provide excellent cold formability. We utilise this characteristic in processes such as fluid forming, in which we press complex three-dimensional structures into the 2 mm material without compromising the integrity of the surface.

Physical Properties

The density of stainless steel is approximately 7.9 kg/dm³, giving a 2 mm thick sheet a weight per unit area of exactly 15.8 kg/m². Compared with structural steel, its thermal conductivity is lower, while its coefficient of thermal expansion is higher. At mirrorINOX, we take these physical properties into account, particularly when designing large-format façade cassettes, to safely accommodate temperature-induced stresses in the material.

Corrosion resistance

The natural corrosion resistance of the 2 mm sheets is determined by the alloy grade. Our additional nanoINOX® coating significantly enhances this protection. The coating acts as an additional barrier against environmental influences and chemical exposure. This enables us to offer solutions that achieve an exceptionally long service life even in aggressive industrial atmospheres or marine environments, without compromising their visual brilliance.

Magnetism

Standard austenitic grades such as 1.4301 are non-magnetic in the solution-annealed condition. However, cold working during rolling to a thickness of 2 mm may result in slight residual magnetism. If your applications require completely non-magnetic material, we will be happy to advise you on specific heat treatments. Ferritic grades such as 1.4016, by contrast, are available as fully magnetic options for special technical applications.

Applications and industries

• Architecture and façade construction: We supply 2 mm sheet as flat panels for building envelopes, as this thickness effectively prevents unwanted waviness (oil canning).
• Elevator construction: The manufacture of elevator car walls and entrances benefits from the durability of the 2 mm thickness, enhanced with our scratch-resistant finishes.
• Food industry and medical technology: Here, we leverage the hygienic benefits of smooth surfaces for housings and worktops in equipment manufacturing.
• Shipbuilding and yacht construction: For this sector, we manufacture high-gloss polished elements from 1.4404 stainless steel, combining maximum resistance to saltwater corrosion with exclusive design.
• Shopfitting and exhibition stand construction: Used for durable design elements, stair railings or wall cladding, with colour accents created by our PVD/TiN coatings.

Overview of international standard designations

• Material grade 1.4301: Internationally known as AISI 304 or X5CrNi18-10, the standard austenitic stainless steel for general applications.
• Material grade 1.4404: Classified as AISI 316L or X2CrNiMo17-12-2, optimized for increased corrosion resistance requirements.
• Material number 1.4571: Corresponds to AISI 316Ti, a titanium-stabilized grade with improved high-temperature resistance.
• Material number 1.4016: Known as AISI 430, a ferritic chromium stainless steel for decorative interior applications.
• Specialty materials: We also process duplex stainless steels such as 1.4462 (AISI 2205) for projects with extreme structural and corrosion-resistance requirements.

Finishing 2 mm stainless steel sheets – expertise from mirrorINOX

At our Cleebronn production site, we transform industrial stainless steel sheet into functional design surfaces. We produce mirror-polished finishes in Super Mirror No. 8 quality and our market-leading Perfect Mirror No. 10®. For high-traffic projects, we apply the nanoINOX® coating, which offers outstanding anti-fingerprint (AFP) and easy-to-clean (ETC) properties. We supply PVD/TiN-coated sheets in a wide range of colours, guaranteeing unrivalled colour consistency across batches. Our processes, such as vibration grinding (VIBES) and bead blasting (BEADS), create matt, diffuse surfaces that control light reflections and offer resistance to mechanical damage. Since 2016, we have used state-of-the-art technology to continuously push the boundaries of stainless steel finishing.