SS303 / SUS303 Stainless Steel Plate Supplier in Malaysia & Singapore — Cut to Size by Bandsaw Machine
E Steel Sdn. Bhd. is a stainless steel supplier of 303 stainless steel plates in Malaysia, supplying customers across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, and Singapore.
We stock 303 plates across a range of thicknesses and offer precision bandsaw cutting to your exact size — no minimum order required.
Whether your drawing specifies SS303, SUS303, AISI 303, EN 1.4305, DIN 1.4305, UNS S30300, or X8CrNiS18-9 — they are all the same free-machining stainless steel grade. We supply them all, cut to your required dimensions.
What Is 303 Stainless Steel Plate?
AISI 303 (SS303 / SUS303) is a free-machining austenitic stainless steel, developed specifically for high-volume machining operations.
It is based on the standard 18/8 composition (18% chromium, 8% nickel) of grade 304 but with a key addition: sulphur (S) up to 0.15–0.35%.
This sulphur addition acts as a built-in lubricant during machining, causing chips to break cleanly and reducing cutting tool wear.
The result is dramatically improved machinability — making 303 the go-to stainless steel grade for CNC machining, turning, and milling applications.
Why 303 Plate? Why Not Just 303 Bar?
While 303 is most commonly stocked as round bar, 303 plate is the preferred starting material when your machined component is flat, block-shaped, or requires a large cross-section that bar stock cannot cover. Examples include:
- Precision machined blocks and fixtures
- Flat brackets and flanges requiring tight tolerances
- CNC milling blanks
- Jig and tooling components
Cutting a plate to a near-net rectangular blank and then machining significantly reduces material waste and machining time versus starting from round bar.
Grade Equivalents — All the Ways Customers Search for 303
Engineers and buyers across Malaysia and Singapore use different standard codes depending on their drawing origin. All the grades below refer to the same free-machining stainless steel:| Standard | Grade Designation |
|---|---|
| American (AISI / SAE) | AISI 303 / SS303 |
| Japanese (JIS) | SUS303 |
| European (EN) | EN 1.4305 |
| German (DIN) | DIN 1.4305 |
| European Chemical Symbol | X8CrNiS18-9 |
| American UNS | UNS S30300 |
| British (BS) | BS 303S31 |
| Variant with Copper | SUS303Cu / 303Cu |
Note on SUS303Cu: Some Japanese drawings specify SUS303Cu, which includes a small addition of copper (~0.60%) to further improve machinability for certain high-speed CNC operations.
We can advise and supply accordingly — contact us with your drawing requirement.
Our 303 Plate Stock — Sizes & Thickness
We maintain stock of 303 stainless steel plates suitable for machining applications in the following range:| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Thickness | Minimum thickness thk4mm |
| Origin Mill |
Mainly Japan, Nippon Yakin Mil SUS303 JIS G4304 |
| Mill Test Certificate | Available (3.1 MTC per EN 10204) |
Why Bandsaw Cut to Size Service for Stainless Steel 303 Plates
We operate multiple bandsaw cutting machines in our warehouse in Klang, Selangor.For 303 stainless steel machining blanks, bandsaw cutting is the ideal preparation method because it:
- ✅ Delivers clean cuts — rectangular plates / bars ready to go straight to your CNC machine.
- ✅ Preserves material properties — no heat-affected zone unlike plasma or laser cutting
- ✅ Handles thick sections — ideal for heavy plate machining blanks
-
✅ Minimises your material waste — we cut as close to your net size.
Why Choose E Steel for Your 303 Stainless Steel Plates (SUS303 JIS G4304) ?
✅ Specialist in Machining-Grade Stainless Steel
We understand that 303 plate customers are typically machinists and precision engineers.
We stock and cut specifically to support machining operations — clean cut faces.
✅ Ready Stock in Malaysia
Our warehouse in Klang, Selangor holds stock ready to cut and deliver according to your requirements.
✅ No Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
Order one piece or a full plate. We accommodate prototype quantities, small batch runs, and production volumes equally.
✅ Material Traceability
Every plate is supplied with a Mill Test Certificate (MTC) traceable to the original mill.
Chemical Composition — SS303 / SUS303 / EN 1.4305
| Element | 303 (S30300 / 1.4305) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.15% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 17.0 – 19.0% |
| Nickel (Ni) | 8.0 – 10.0% |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 2.0% |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.0% |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.20% |
| Sulphur (S) | 0.15% min (key addition for free machining) |
The sulphur content is what distinguishes 303 from all other 18-8 austenitic stainless steels. It dramatically improves chip breakage and tool life during machining.
Mechanical Composition of SS303 Plates
| Property | 303 (Annealed) |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (min) | 515 MPa |
| Yield Strength 0.2% (min) | 205 MPa |
| Elongation (min) | 35% |
| Hardness (max) | 228 HBW / 96 HRB |
Stainless Steel 303 vs 304/304L — Which Grade Do You Need?
This is the most common question for engineers choosing between the two grades:
|
|
SS303 / SUS303 / 1.4305 |
SS304 / SUS304 / 1.4301 |
|---|---|---|
|
Machinability |
Excellent — sulphur addition gives clean chip break |
Good, but generates longer, stringy chips |
|
Corrosion resistance |
Good — slightly lower than 304 due to sulphur |
Better |
|
Weldability |
Poor — not recommended for welding |
Good |
|
Surface finish after machining |
Excellent — smooth, consistent |
Good |
|
Marine / aggressive environments |
Not recommended |
Acceptable for mild environments |
|
Typical use |
CNC machined components, shafts, fittings, fasteners |
Fabricated/welded structures, tanks, enclosures |
Important: What 303 Cannot Do
Be aware of these limitations before specifying 303:
❌ Not suitable for welding — the sulphur causes hot cracking in welds. Use 304L for welded structures.
❌ Not recommended for marine or highly corrosive environments — the sulphur lowers corrosion resistance compared to 304. Use 316 / 316L for such applications.
❌ Cannot be hardened by heat treatment — like all austenitic stainless steels, it can only be work hardened.
❌ Not ideal for mirror polish — the sulphide inclusions make a truly smooth decorative finish difficult. Use 304 or 316 for cosmetic applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is SUS303 the same as SS303 and AISI 303?
Yes. SUS303 is the Japanese JIS designation, SS303 is a common trade abbreviation, and AISI 303 is the American standard designation.
All refer to the same free-machining austenitic stainless steel with sulphur addition.
Q: What is EN 1.4305 / DIN 1.4305?
1.4305 is the European/German designation for AISI 303.
The chemical symbol is X8CrNiS18-9, where the ''S'' denotes the sulphur addition. It is fully equivalent to SS303 / SUS303.
Q: What is UNS S30300?
UNS S30300 is the American Unified Numbering System designation for AISI 303.
If your drawing or purchase order specifies S30300, that is SS303. We can supply it with the correct MTC.
Q: What is SUS303Cu? Is it different from SUS303?
SUS303Cu is a variant of SUS303 that includes a small addition of copper (approx. 0.60%). The copper further improves machinability for certain high-speed CNC operations, particularly in automatic screw machines. It is not a separate standard grade but a manufacturer-level enhancement. Contact us if your drawing specifies SUS303Cu.
Q: Can 303 stainless steel be welded?
No — welding 303 is not recommended due to its sulphur content, which causes hot cracking in the weld zone. If your application requires welding, please switch to SS304L or SS316L.
Q: Can you cut 303 plates to custom sizes?
Yes. We offer bandsaw cut to size service. Send us your cutting list (thickness × width × length and quantity) and we will provide a quotation.
Q: Do you supply to Singapore / Thailand ?
Yes. We regularly supply stainless steel plates to Singapore & Thailand customers via freight forwarding / trucks.
Q: Is there a minimum order quantity?
No. We supply from a single cut piece to full plates and bulk orders.
Q: What certificates do you provide?
All plates are supplied with a 3.1 Mill Test Certificate (MTC) compliant with EN 10204, traceable to the original mill of manufacture.
Q: My drawing says X8CrNiS18-9 — can you supply this?
Yes. X8CrNiS18-9 is the European chemical designation for EN 1.4305, which is fully equivalent to SS303 / SUS303.
