1/4″ x 1-1/4″ Stainless Steel Flat Bar T-304

Stainless Steel Flat Bar – Type 304

Our Type 304 stainless steel flat bar is a solid rectangular bar that provides a straight, uniform and easy-to-work-with stock for countless fabrication tasks. It delivers the strength of solid stainless steel with outstanding corrosion resistance.

Flat bar is one of the most commonly used stainless shapes because it can be cut, drilled, punched, bent, welded and finished to produce everything from simple straps and braces to custom brackets, gates and machine components.

Key Features

• Solid rectangular section with uniform width and thickness
• Excellent corrosion and rust resistance for indoor and outdoor use
• Can be cut, drilled, bent, welded and polished to suit your design
• Long service life with minimal maintenance
• Attractive, hygienic surface that is easy to clean
• Offered in a wide range of widths, thicknesses and lengths

About Type 304 Stainless Steel (18-8)

Type 304 is the most widely specified austenitic stainless steel in the world. Often called 18-8 stainless, it contains roughly 18% chromium and 8% nickel, a balance that delivers excellent resistance to corrosion, oxidation and staining in everyday atmospheric, freshwater, food-contact and mild chemical environments.

It is also valued for its outstanding formability and weldability, good toughness (even at low temperatures) and a clean, attractive appearance that is easy to maintain. In the annealed condition Type 304 is essentially non-magnetic, although cold working can induce slight magnetism.

For constant exposure to salt water, de-icing salts or strong chloride solutions, Type 316 is the better choice, but for the vast majority of indoor, outdoor, architectural and food-service applications Type 304 offers the best balance of performance and cost.

Why Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel is an iron-based alloy containing at least 10.5% chromium. The chromium forms a thin, invisible, self-healing oxide layer on the surface that protects the metal from rust and corrosion, so stainless steel keeps its strength and appearance for years with minimal upkeep and without paint or coatings.

Common Applications

• Brackets, straps, braces and mounting plates
• Gates, railings, frames and architectural details
• Machine parts, jigs, fixtures and tooling
• Food-grade equipment and commercial kitchen fabrication
• Marine, chemical-processing and outdoor hardware
• General fabrication, repair and maintenance

Fabrication and Handling

Flat bar can be sheared, sawed, drilled, punched or laser/plasma cut, and welded with standard stainless procedures. For clean bends, bend across the thickness with a generous radius and allow for springback.

Type 304 can be cut with band saws, abrasive saws, shears, plasma, laser or waterjet, and joined with TIG, MIG or resistance welding (308L filler is the usual match). Because it work-hardens quickly, use sharp tooling, steady feeds and adequate cooling when machining, and allow for springback when bending or forming.

Care and Maintenance

To keep stainless steel looking its best, clean it periodically with warm water, mild detergent and a soft cloth or non-abrasive pad, rinse thoroughly and dry. Always wipe in the direction of the grain or polish lines, avoid chlorine bleach and chloride-based cleaners, and do not use carbon-steel wire brushes or tools on the surface, as embedded iron particles can cause rust spots. If surface contamination does occur, a stainless steel cleaner or passivation treatment will restore the protective layer.

Sizes and Ordering

Flat bar is described by thickness × width. Choose the length that suits your project to minimize waste. All dimensions listed are nominal and standard mill tolerances apply. For critical fits, structural or code-driven projects, we recommend confirming the exact dimensions and tolerances you need before ordering. If you require a size, length or quantity that is not listed, please contact us and we will be glad to help.