Stainless Steel
Steel Dynamics UK is a specialist stainless steel stockholder and processor holding over 3,000 tonnes of European-origin stainless plate and sheet across more than a dozen grades.
There are more than 100 different grades of stainless steel in production worldwide. We stock the ones UK buyers actually specify: 304 for general service, 316 for welded pressure vessels and pharmaceutical equipment, 410 and 410S where hardness and moderate corrosion resistance are needed together, 1.4003 for cost-conscious architectural and utility structural work, and 254 SMO for high-chloride and acidic environments where 316 falls short.
Our 6 Moly plate is stocked in sizes up to 50mm thickness - one of the deepest stocks of high-alloy austenitic stainless in the UK. All material is European-origin with full 3.1 certification.
3CR12 1.4003 Stainless Steel
1.4003 is a utility ferritic Stainless Steel that offers all the benefits of traditional Stainless Steel such as strength, corrosion and abrasion resistance, durability, and low maintenance, but it also provides additional benefits such as good weldability and formability making it capable of fabrication by conventional techniques.
1.4003 does not depend upon expensive alloying elements like Nickel and Molybdenum and therefore has a low-cost advantage compared to other corrosion-resisting materials. It is proven to offer lower life cycle costs than traditional materials where corrosion and abrasion affect service conditions. Due to its numerous benefits, 1.4003 stainless steel can be used in several applications across a wide range of industries.
300 Series Stainless Steel
The 300 series stainless steels offer a combination of corrosion resistance, high-temperature performance, versatility, and formability, making them indispensable materials in a wide range of industries and applications.
Whether you need durability in harsh environments, hygienic properties in sanitary applications, or strength at elevated temperatures, there's a 300 series stainless steel grade to meet your needs.
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304 - 1.4301
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304L - 1.4307
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304H - 1.4948
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310S - 1.4845
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316 - 1.4401
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316L - 1.4404
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316Ti - 1.4571
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321 - 1.4541
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321H - 1.4878
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347 - 1.4550
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347H - 1.4912
400 Series Steel
The 400 series stainless steels are a group of martensitic and ferritic stainless steels renowned for their exceptional strength, hardness, and resistance to wear and corrosion. These alloys are widely utilised in applications requiring robustness, durability, and moderate corrosion resistance.
410 stainless steel is a martensitic stainless steel known for its high strength and hardness, while 410S stainless steel is a low-carbon ferritic stainless steel with improved weldability and formability.
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410 - 1.4006
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410S - 1.4000
6 Moly Steel
Our 6 Moly steel plate, is becoming increasingly sought after in industrial and engineering applications as it provides an excellent balance of strength, corrosion resistance and stability. 6 Moly Stainless Steel has a 6% molybdenum content, which offers superior resistance to corrosion, pitting and crevice corrosion compared to standard austenitic Stainless Steels like 304 and 316.
Stocked in sizes up to 50mm thickness, our most common grade of 6 Moly Steel is UNS S31254 (also known as 254 SMO or by its EN spec 1.4547). Its extended service life and reduced maintenance requirements can result in cost savings over the long term, driving its adoption in critical applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stainless steel grade should I use?
It depends on the corrosion environment, mechanical loading and cost target. 304 is standard for general and food service. 316 adds molybdenum for chloride resistance and is standard for marine and pharmaceutical work. 1.4003 / 3CR12 replaces mild steel in mildly corrosive service at a fraction of 304's cost. For high-chloride or acidic environments, 6 Moly (254 SMO) outperforms 316 substantially.
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What's the difference between 300 series and 400 series stainless steel?
300 series is austenitic — non-magnetic, weldable, corrosion-resistant, formable. 400 series is martensitic or ferritic — magnetic, hardenable by heat treatment, better wear resistance, less corrosion resistance than 300 series.
Do you stock stainless steel plate in the UK?
Yes. Over 3,000 tonnes of European-origin stainless plate and sheet at our Lancashire facility, cut to size and shipped nationwide.
What is 3CR12 / 1.4003 stainless steel?
1.4003 (also known as 3CR12) is a utility ferritic stainless steel developed as a cost-effective alternative to mild steel in mildly corrosive environments. It offers significantly better corrosion resistance than mild steel at a much lower cost than 304, making it a popular choice for structural applications, rail wagons, mining equipment and architectural cladding.
Do you cut stainless steel to size?
Yes. In-house waterjet, fibre laser, plasma and CNC machining. Order raw plate or drawing-to-part.
From the workhorse 300 series (304, 316) through 400 series martensitics (410, 410S), utility ferritics (1.4003 / 3CR12) and premium 6 Moly (UNS S31254 / 254 SMO / 1.4547), we stock, cut and machine to specification with full mill-to-part traceability under ISO 9001 and ISO 19443.
