Views: 7 Author: Monica Publish Time: 2025-09-08 Origin: Site
A 3 16 steel plate is flat-rolled steel. Its thickness is 3/16 inch, which is about 0.1875 inches or 4.76 millimeters.
This measurement refers to size, not a specific material grade or type. This thickness is thicker than sheet metal but thinner than heavy plate. A 3 16 steel plate is often made from carbon steel, low-alloy steel, or stainless steel. It can be produced in hot-rolled or cold-rolled forms.
3/16 steel plate thickness is used in many applications. These include making truck beds, trailers, and chassis parts. They are also used for industrial work platforms, walkways, and stair treads. You can find them in machine guards, brackets, and frames.
They are important for parts of agricultural equipment too. They are used in material handling bins and hoppers. Certain structural components in construction also use this steel. Finally, they serve as base plates or wear plates where impact resistance and strength are needed without being too heavy.
Below are three types of 3 16 steel plates:
3 16 Diamond Plate Steel (Tread Plate):
3/16 diamond plate steel, also called raised pattern floor plate or tread plate, has a unique raised diamond pattern. This pattern is rolled onto one side of the 0.1875 inch thick steel plate. This diamond pattern significantly enhances slip resistance and structural rigidity.
3 16 Diamond Plate Steel is typically made from carbon steel grades like ASTM A36 or A1011 or stainless steel 304/316. The raised diamonds offer great traction. This makes it the best choice for industrial uses. These include catwalks, stair treads, platform decking, truck and trailer floors, and loading ramps.
The 3/16" thickness is strong enough to handle moderate impacts, foot traffic, and equipment wear. It is also easy to cut, shape, and weld during fabrication.
Its strong strength-to-weight ratio is important. It also has anti-slip features. These qualities make it essential in manufacturing, transportation, and heavy equipment industries.
3 16 Flat Steel Plate:
3/16" flat steel plate is the basic, untextured form of steel stock at a thickness of 0.1875 inches/4.76 mm.
It comes in hot-rolled or cold-rolled sheet forms. It can also be processed further with pickling, oiling, or galvanizing. It is thick enough to support heavy loads and provide strength for structural parts, machine frames, brackets, chassis, and base plates.
The material is thin. It can be easily cut with lasers or plasma. It can also be bent, punched, and machined without using much force. Its broad availability and cost-effectiveness make it essential for fabrication shops, OEMs, and construction projects requiring reliable, dimensionally stable flat stock.
3 16 Mirror Steel Plate:
The 3 16 mirror steel plate is a flat steel plate. It has a smooth and shiny surface. This surface is very reflective, like a mirror.
This finish is achieved through a detailed polishing process. It uses finer abrasives and ends with buffing using polishing compounds. Most of the time, it is made from austenitic stainless steel. However, it can also be made from carbon steel with protective coatings.
The main purpose of a 3/16 mirror steel plate is to look good and stay clean. Its smooth, non-porous surface helps prevent dirt, bacteria, and other contaminants from sticking. This makes it easy to clean and sterilize.
Consequently, it finds critical applications in high-end architectural cladding, elevator interiors, luxury appliances, sanitary fittings, display fixtures, and specialized scientific or decorative components.
Representative 3/16" x 4' x 8' Steel Plate Price Comparison (Single Sheet Estimate - US Market):
Note: Prices are highly volatile and location-dependent. These are indicative ranges for common base conditions. Always get current quotes.
Alloy Type | Common Grade | Key Properties | Price Range (USD per Sheet - Single Sheet) | Relative Cost Factor |
Carbon Steel | A36 | General purpose, structural, weldable | 150−250 | 1.0x (Base) |
HSLA Steel | A572 Grade 50 | Higher strength than A36 (50 ksi yield) | 180−300 | 1.2x - 1.4x |
Stainless Steel | 304 / 304L | Good corrosion resistance, weldable | 500−800 | 3.3x - 4.0x |
Stainless Steel | 316 / 316L | Enhanced corrosion (Mo), esp. chlorides | 700−1,100 | 4.7x - 5.5x |
Abrasion Resistant | AR400 | High hardness (400 Brinell) wear plate | 350−550 | 2.3x - 2.8x |
Abrasion Resistant | AR500 | Very high hardness (500 Brinell) | 450−700 | 3.0x - 3.5x |
Here are the comprehensive factors influencing the price of a 3/16" x 4' x 8' steel plate:
Base Material Cost and Alloy
Because the base cost of the raw materials varies drastically. Common carbon steel A36 is the most economical. High-strength low-alloy steel A572 costs more due to added elements. Stainless steel grades 304 and 316 command a substantial premium due to high nickel and chromium content.
Manufacturing Process and Mill Origin
The production method impacts cost. Hot-rolled carbon/HSLA plate is generally the most cost-effective process. Cold-rolled sheet/plate involves more processing steps and commands a premium. Mirror-finish stainless requires extensive multi-stage polishing, adding significant labor and consumable costs.
Plates produced by major integrated mills have different base costs compared to those from smaller or re-rollers. Origin also affects shipping costs and potential import tariffs/duties.
Quantity, Purchasing Volume and Distribution
Price per sheet is heavily dependent on order volume. Purchasing full bundles directly from a mill or primary service center yields the lowest unit cost. Buying small amounts of single sheets or a few sheets costs more. This is due to handling, cutting, and markup fees.
These extra costs are common with secondary distributors or retail metal suppliers. Service centers add margin to cover inventory, processing, and logistics.
The weight of a 3/16 inch steel plate is determined by its thickness, dimensions (length and width), and material density.
Steel Plate Weight Calculation Formula:
Weight (lbs) = Thickness (inches) × Width (inches) × Length (inches) × Density (lbs/in³)
Steel density is typically 0.2833 lbs/in³
Step-by-Step Calculation for a Standard 4' x 8' Sheet:
Convert dimensions to inches:
Width = 4 ft = 48 inches
Length = 8 ft = 96 inches
Thickness = 3/16" = 0.1875 inches
Calculate Volume:
Volume = 0.1875 in × 48 in × 96 in = 864 in³
Density:
Weight = 864 in³ × 0.2833 lbs/in³ ≈ 244.8 lbs
Weight per Square Foot:
Area of 1 ft² = 144 in²
Weight/ft² = Thickness (in) × 144 in² × 0.2833 lbs/in³
= 0.1875 × 144 × 0.2833 ≈ 7.66 lbs/ft²
Yield Strength:
The stress at which the material begins to deform plastically (permanently bend).
l A36 Carbon Steel: ~36,000 psi (250 MPa) minimum.
l A572 Grade 50 HSLA Steel: ~50,000 psi (345 MPa) minimum.
l 304 / 304L Stainless Steel: ~30,000 - 35,000 psi (205 - 240 MPa).
l 316 / 316L Stainless Steel: ~30,000 - 35,000 psi (205 - 240 MPa).
Tensile Strength:
The maximum stress the material can withstand before breaking.
l A36: 58,000 - 80,000 psi (400 - 550 MPa).
l A572 Gr 50: 65,000 psi (450 MPa) minimum.
l 304 / 304L Stainless: 75,000 - 90,000 psi (515 - 620 MPa).
l 316 / 316L Stainless: 75,000 - 90,000 psi (515 - 620 MPa).
l AR400: ~200,000 psi (1,380 MPa) min.
l AR500: ~250,000 psi (1,725 MPa) min.
Hardness:
Resistance to surface indentation and abrasion.
l A36: ~120-150 HBW.
l A572 Gr 50: ~130-170 HBW.
l 304/316 Stainless: ~150-200 HBW.
l AR400: 360-440 HBW.
l AR500: 460-544 HBW.
3 16 steel plate is available in stock in many locations, both online and in-store. Online, you can compare prices, check delivery times, review previous customer reviews, and find discounts.
At JN Alloy, you can always find the most competitive online prices and purchase 3 16 steel plate in any size and quantity.
