Overview
There are still confusions over the difference between stainless steel theoretical weight and actual weight, especially for those who buy stainless steel sheets. Does it matter? It does and it does not.
This week we will explain the difference between theoretical weight and actual weight on stainless steel sheets. We are explaining on this because currently we have heard a case from our industry. It is easier to understand through a real case.
Case
A client ordered 20 tons of stainless steel sheets from a Chinese stainless steel supplier, but it ended up receiving around 18 tons in reality. The client was freaked out and asking for loss compensation from the supplier but got no positive answer so far. Therefore, he posted his case and asked for help online.
What are theoretical weight and actual weight in this case?
If not clearly required actual weight, stainless steel sheets below 16mm are always supplied in theoretical weight. Actual weight is also applicable, but the price will be higher. In this case, let us suppose the 20 tons as theoretical weight, then the 18 tons received are the actual weight. The tolerance is 10% roughly.
Who should be responsible?
If the client didn’t mention tolerance. The order simply goes like this, 304/2B stainless steel sheets 1.2*1250*2500mm, 20 tons. How to deal with loss from this ambiguity?
Some figure the responsibility lies in whether the tolerance has been mentioned in the contract. It sounds logical, but further thinking will tell another story.
If 10% sounds fair, what about 20%, 30%, 50% tolerance? If the tolerance is not clearly defined in the contract, does this mean it can be any value? Surely not. There must be an industrial standard to follow.
Stainless steel Sheet Specifications
For stainless steel sheets, there are two specifications most popular in international market as below,
ASTM A240: Standard Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip for Pressure Vessels and for General Applications.
ASTM A480: Standard Specification for General Requirements for Flat-Rolled Stainless and Heat-resisting Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip
Criteria
Since the controversy lies in weight, let us dive directly into ASTM A480 as below where the tolerance has been clearly specified.
In this case, 1.2mm thickness tolerance should be ± 0.08mm. This means the lowest thickness acceptable is 1.12mm. Below this minimally acceptable thickness, the stainless steel sheet can be judged as unqualified even if they are produced per ASTM A240 without other quality issues.
As the width and length must be positive tolerance per ASTM A480, there is no room for suppliers to profit from. Thickness is the only factor we need to consider in this case.
Calculations
T 1.12mm/ T 1.2mm= 9.33%
20 tons*0.933=18.67 tons
The loss in quantity=18.67-18=0.67 TONS
Deduction
Unless the supplier can list any standard such as European standard, JIS standard or GB standard where 10% tolerance is applicable, otherwise they should be responsible for the loss 0.67tons given they supply the right size but only smaller quantity. If they supply 1.08mm thickness, they will have to compensate the whole loss as the product is not qualified.
Conclusion
Which Stainless Steel Products are Applied to Theoretical Weight?
Through this case, it is easier to differentiate between theoretical weight and actual weight. For stainless steel materials, pipe products and sheet products will always incur the weight confusion as the thickness can be considered as a profit point. In this sense, to understand the difference between theoretical weight and actual weight does matter.
However, it doesn’t matter because the price quoted has already included the profit squeezed from the tolerance. That’s why it will incur price raise when clients specifically mention actual weight. The supplier has to profit from the order in a right way, a way to get the order perfectly executed to meet or exceed the client’s expectation.
What does Really Matter?
The point does not lie in theoretical weight or actual weight. Ultimately you will get how much you pay. Back to the above case, if the supplier got the order because of the lowest price. Even if they admitted their wrong, they would not have the ability to pay the loss, but to resort to bankruptcy at the extreme situation. This happened from some cases from our industry.
What really matters is quality then price. In most cases, price and quality present positive correlation. If the price looks unfairly low, think twice before you jump. There is always cheating from unfair transaction.
Stainless Steel at CIVMATS
At CIVMATS, we produce and export stainless steel materials strictly per standards. We’ve exported stainless steel materials since 2016 with extensive knowledge and experience. If you are looking for a reliable stainless steel supplier from China, we are exactly what you want. Drop us an email and let us talk!
