Stainless steel bars have high corrosion resistance, require low maintenance and have durable working life. The operating conditions determine the quality or grade of the stainless steel bar. Stainless steel bars are very useful in marine, aerospace, mining, food processing, oil and gas, construction and utility industries.

Stainless steel bars come in various types and shapes. Round, hex, square, flat, half-round are some of the common shapes of stainless steel bars. These bars are available in different diameters with metric and inch specifications. Manufacturers also supply stainless steel bars in special shapes and sizes as per the customer’s requirements.

Some important parameters you must consider before you select stainless steel bars are:

1. Application of the stainless steel bar
2. Chemical composition of the stainless steel bar
3. Physical properties of the stainless steel bar: dimensions, hardness, machinability and surface finish
4. Different types of stainless steel bars available in the market

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy stainless steel bars from reputable stainless steel bar manufacturers

Once you understand your requirements and have enough information about stainless steel bars, check out different stainless steel bars available in the market. Search for a stainless steel bar supplier that offers stainless steel bars for typical applications. For example, some stainless steel manufacturers offer stainless steel nerf bars for automotive applications.

I recommend: Universal Stainless & Alloy Products is a stainless steel bar manufacturer that supplies round bars, hexagon bars, square bars and flat bars for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Pinnacle Metals, a metal bar supplier, offers stainless steel bars that you can use as raw material for forming, forging and stamping operations. Running Boards and Nerf Bars is a manufacturer of stainless steel nerf bars and running boards for various vehicles.

Buy stainless steel bars from distributors or retailers

You can compare different stainless steel bars based on their features and prices at distributors and retailers' websites.

I recommend: National Specialty Alloys, a distributor metal alloy bars, supplies stainless steel bars with various shapes. Tri Star Metals, Inc. and Bralco Metals are the other distributors of stainless steel bars. You can buy stainless steel towel bars at PlumberSurplus.com, a retailer of plumbing equipment and supplies.

Buy custom or specialty stainless steel bars

If standard products do not meet your requirements, you can ask suppliers of stainless steel bars to provide stainless steel bars that are suitable for your applications.

I recommend: In addition to an array of standard stainless steel bars, King Steel can supply customized stainless steel bars to suit your application requirements. Outokumpu is another stainless steel manufacturer that supplies special quality bars that are useful in industrial machinery such as valves, flanges and fittings. All Metals & Forge is another stainless steel bar supplier that provides custom hand rolled bars in round, flat, square, hex and custom shapes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consult an expert about the chemical composition of stainless steel bars, as the physical properties of the bars change according to the chemical composition.