304
General purpose
Widely used for machine guards, HVAC grilles, architectural panels, enclosures, screens and general fabrication.
Product form hub · Perforated sheet
Stainless Steel Perforated Sheet
Specify stainless steel perforated sheet by grade, thickness, hole shape, hole size, pitch, pattern, open area, sheet size, margins and surface finish. This page gives buyers a practical route from common perforation layouts to a quote-ready specification.
304 / 304L / 316 / 316L
Round / square / slotted holes
Pitch / open area / sheet size
60° staggered round holes · product visual
Common grades304 / 304L / 316 / 316L
Common thickness0.5–6.0 mm reference range
Common sheets1000×2000 / 1220×2440 / 1250×2500 mm
Build the specification
01Choose grade
02Set thickness
03Choose hole shape
04Set hole & pitch
05Confirm sheet / margins
06Send RFQ
Product overview
What to define before buying stainless steel perforated sheet
A usable purchase description needs more than the alloy and sheet thickness. Hole geometry, pitch, pattern, open area, margins, burr direction and final panel dimensions all affect airflow, appearance, strength, screening performance and fabrication.
Material304 / 304L
Common general-purpose stainless grades for guards, grilles, screens, cabinets, architectural panels and fabricated assemblies.
Material316 / 316L
Often selected for coastal, marine-adjacent, food, chemical or other environments where higher chloride resistance is useful.
GeometryHole size × pitch
Round perforations are frequently supplied in 60° staggered or straight patterns; square and slot patterns are also common.
PanelSheet / margins / orientation
State sheet size, unperforated borders, hole pattern direction and any cut-to-size requirement when fit or appearance matters.
M03 · Grade selection
Choose the stainless grade from environment and fabrication needs
Perforation changes the geometry of the sheet, not the basic alloy-selection logic. Corrosion exposure, cleaning chemicals, welding, forming and appearance should determine the stainless grade.
304L
Low-carbon welding route
Common where welded fabrication is expected and a low-carbon 304 route is preferred.
316
Higher corrosion resistance
Used where exposure to chlorides, salt-laden air or more aggressive service conditions is expected.
316L
Corrosion + fabrication
Frequently selected for welded panels, food-processing equipment and more demanding corrosion environments.
M04 · Technical data
Common round-hole perforated sheet reference
The table below uses common commercial round-hole combinations. Open area values shown are for a 60° staggered arrangement and are useful for ventilation, screening and visual-density comparisons.
| Sheet thickness | Hole diameter | Pitch / centers | Pattern | Approx. open area | Typical buying use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 mm | 3 mm | 5 mm | 60° staggered | ≈33% | Fine screens, guards, decorative and ventilation panels |
| 1.0–1.5 mm | 5 mm | 8 mm | 60° staggered | ≈35% | General grilles, covers and fabricated panels |
| 1.5 mm | 8 mm | 12 mm | 60° staggered | ≈40% | Airflow panels, machine guards and screening |
| 1.5 mm | 10 mm | 15 mm | 60° staggered | ≈40% | Medium-opening industrial and architectural panels |
| 1.5 mm | 12 mm | 16 mm | 60° staggered | ≈51% | Higher-open-area grilles and decorative screening |
| 2.0 mm | 20 mm | 28 mm | 60° staggered | ≈46% | Large-opening screens, ventilation and architectural use |
| 1.2–1.5 mm | 1/8 in | 3/16 in | 60° staggered | ≈40.3% | Common inch-series perforated sheet pattern |
| 1.2–1.5 mm | 3/16 in | 1/4 in | 60° staggered | ≈51.0% | Common inch-series higher-open-area pattern |
Common market reference ranges include approximately 0.5–6.0 mm sheet thickness, round holes from about 1 mm upward, and sheets such as 1000 × 2000, 1220 × 2440, 1250 × 2500 and 1500 × 3000 mm. Exact thickness-to-hole ratios, flatness, margins and maximum panel size depend on the perforation pattern and order quantity.
M05 · Dimensions and perforation
Define the hole pattern, sheet geometry and edge condition
Two sheets with the same hole diameter can have very different open area, stiffness and visual density if the pitch or pattern changes.
Hole geometry
- Round hole diameter
- Square hole side length
- Slot width × length
- Custom shapes where required
- Hole orientation in the finished panel
Pitch & pattern
- 60° staggered round holes
- Straight / square-pitch pattern
- Pitch measured center-to-center
- Target open area if functionally important
- Pattern direction relative to sheet length
Sheet & border
- Thickness × width × length
- All-over perforation or blank margins
- Unperforated border width
- Burr direction / preferred face
- Flatness, squareness and cut-to-size requirements
Round · staggeredHigh packing efficiency and a widely used industrial / architectural perforation layout.
Round · straightAligned rows and columns can simplify visual alignment and specific screening layouts.
Square holesUseful where a rectilinear appearance or larger clear opening is preferred.
Slotted holesUsed when directional drainage, screening or elongated opening geometry is required.
M06 · Selection guide
Match hole size, pitch and open area to the job
Open area is one of the fastest ways to compare perforation density. For round holes, the relationship between hole diameter and pitch can be used to estimate the percentage of sheet removed.
Ventilation / airflowStart from the minimum open area and pressure-drop requirement, then choose hole size and pitch that fit the panel.
Machine guardBalance visibility and airflow against finger / object access, panel rigidity and safety requirements.
Architectural panelPrioritize pattern consistency, blank borders, hole orientation, surface finish and sheet flatness.
Screening / separationDefine the clear opening and acceptable tolerance from the material being retained or passed.
Open area reference
For round holes on a 60° staggered pattern, approximate open area can be estimated as 90.7 × (hole diameter ÷ pitch)². For a straight pattern, use about 78.5 × (diameter ÷ pitch)².
Example5 mm round holes on 8 mm staggered centers
Calculation90.7 × (5 ÷ 8)²
Open area≈35.4%
UseUseful as a quick comparison value before final drawing approval
Worked example
Example of a clear perforated sheet specification
This is the level of detail that usually prevents back-and-forth during sourcing and fabrication review.
Do not send only “304 perforated sheet.”
State the material, thickness, hole geometry, pitch, pattern, sheet size, border requirement and quantity.
MaterialASTM A240 Type 304 stainless steel
Thickness1.5 mm
Perforation8 mm round holes on 12 mm 60° staggered centers
Open areaApproximately 40%
Sheet size1220 × 2440 mm
Margins25 mm unperforated border on all four sides
Finish2B feedstock, deburred where specified
QuantityState sheet count or total area
M08 · Applications
Where stainless steel perforated sheet is commonly used
Machine guards
Protective panels that retain visibility and airflow around machinery and equipment.
Ventilation & grilles
Air intake, exhaust, HVAC covers, equipment cabinets and ventilation panels.
Architectural panels
Façades, screens, balustrade infill, ceilings, sunshades and decorative perforated features.
Food & process equipment
Trays, screens, guards and fabricated components where stainless hygiene and corrosion resistance are useful.
Acoustic panels
Perforated facing sheets used with backing or absorptive systems where the acoustic design determines the required open area.
Screening & separation
Industrial screens, strainers, supports and separation panels where clear opening and tolerance matter.
Important limitation: perforation reduces the net metal section and can change stiffness, flatness and load capacity. Hole pattern alone does not establish structural strength, guard compliance, acoustic performance, filtration rating or slip resistance. Safety-critical and engineered applications should be verified against the governing project requirements.
M10 · Standards
Standards and purchasing references
Use the drawing or project specification as the governing requirement. The references below help define stainless feedstock, general sheet requirements and perforation terminology.
Common material specification for chromium and chromium-nickel stainless plate, sheet and strip used as feedstock for perforated products.
General requirements for flat-rolled stainless and heat-resisting steel plate, sheet and strip.
Reference specification for industrial perforated plate and screens using a round-opening series.
Defines a codification approach using hole shape, aperture size, hole arrangement, pitch and orientation.
M11 · FAQ
Stainless steel perforated sheet FAQ
What is the most common perforation pattern?
Round holes on a 60° staggered pattern are widely used because they provide a practical balance of open area, appearance and remaining metal between holes. Straight patterns, square holes and slots are also common when the function or design calls for them.
How do I specify hole size and pitch?
State the hole diameter or opening size first, then the center-to-center pitch and pattern. For example: 8 mm round holes on 12 mm centers, 60° staggered.
Which stainless grade is most common?
304 and 304L are common general-purpose choices. 316 and 316L are often selected where chlorides, coastal exposure or more demanding cleaning and corrosion conditions are expected.
What sheet sizes are commonly used?
Common commercial references include 1000 × 2000, 1220 × 2440, 1250 × 2500 and 1500 × 3000 mm, with cut-to-size panels also widely requested. Availability depends on alloy, thickness, hole pattern and quantity.
Do I need to specify margins and burr direction?
Yes when they matter to fit, appearance or downstream fabrication. State whether the perforation is all-over or has blank borders, and identify the preferred smooth face or burr direction if the panel will be handled, formed or installed with one face exposed.
Product details
What buyers usually verify visually
Replace these three visual areas with your own perforated sheet product, hole-detail and packing images when first-party media is ready.
Hole patternHole shape, pitch, stagger and pattern consistency
Surface & burr2B / brushed face, hole edge and preferred smooth side
Sheet & packingPanel size, margins, flatness and delivery protection
Perforated sheet resources
Continue from technical research to purchase
Material hubStainless Steel
Review the parent material hub and related stainless steel product forms.
Open stainless steel hub → TechnicalTechnical ResourcesUse standards, comparisons and engineering references to clarify the purchase specification.
Open technical resources → SourcingRequest a QuoteMove from a reviewed specification to a purchasing conversation.
Open RFQ page →M13 · Technical reference
Reference basis for this perforated sheet guide
This page combines stainless sheet standards, perforation designation references and common commercial perforated-sheet dimensions. Actual availability and project-specific tolerances should be confirmed against the final order requirement.
M14 · RFQ
Request a technical quote
For a faster review, include the grade, sheet thickness, hole shape, hole size, pitch, pattern, sheet size, margins, quantity, destination and any cut-to-size or deburring requirement.
- Grade / material designation
- Thickness and sheet size
- Hole size / pitch / pattern
- Margins / burr direction / finish
- Quantity and destination