409 Stainless Steel Plate Price 2025

409 stainless steel plate for cost-sensitive, high-temperature applications where moderate corrosion resistance and good formability are required; in 2025 typical factory prices range from roughly $1,150 to $5,500 per metric ton depending on grade (409 vs 409L), mill or trader, thickness, and order quantity.

what 409 stainless plate is

We treat 409 as a titanium-stabilized ferritic stainless steel (UNS S40900). It sits at the lower-cost end of stainless alloys because it contains only about 10–11.7% chromium and very little nickel. Titanium stabilisation reduces the risk of chromium carbide precipitation during welding, so the alloy is preferred for welded exhaust assemblies.

Chemical composition and the variants you’ll see

Typical composition limits (representative):

• Chromium: ~10.5–11.7%

• Carbon: ≤ 0.08% (grade dependent)

• Nickel: ≤ 0.5%

• Manganese, Silicon: ≤ 1% each

• Titanium: added in controlled amounts to tie up carbon/nitrogen.

The commercially common variants are:

• 409 — the standard grade for exhaust and general elevated-temperature use.

• 409L — lower-carbon variant for improved weldability and reduced carbide precipitation risk (often used where welding and deep drawing are common).

Mechanical behaviour & elevated-temperature features

We highlight the properties engineers care about most in design and selection:

• Yield and tensile strength: moderate; satisfactory for formed and welded components.

• Ductility and formability: good — 409 can be cold-formed and deep-drawn in many applications.

• High-temperature oxidation resistance: 409 performs well in exhaust atmospheres because chromium creates a protective oxide and titanium stabilises the structure.

• Corrosion resistance: adequate for mildly corrosive or cyclic-temperature environments; not a replacement for 300-series in marine or aggressive chemical settings. AZoM

Typical product forms, thicknesses and finishes

Produced as: coils, sheets, and plates; commonly offered thicknesses vary from thin foils and coils (0.1 mm to 1 mm) up to heavy plates (several mm to tens of mm). Finishes include 2B cold-rolled, HRAP (hot rolled annealed and pickled), and brushed finishes used for visible components. Availability and minimum order quantities depend strongly on mill vs distributor.

Typical uses and why buyers pick 409

Primary uses:

• Automotive exhaust systems — mufflers, pipes and manifolds.

• Heating appliances and heat exchangers where moderate corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures is required.

• General fabrication where cost matters but some stainless performance is necessary.

Why procurement prefers 409:

• Cost-effective alternative to 300-series for non-severe environments.

• Good weldability (with titanium stabilisation).

• Familiar supply chain in the automotive industry, making lead times predictable for large orders.

409 Stainless Steel Plate Price — Global comparison (2025)

Below is a practical price snapshot for 2025 intended for buyer benchmarking. Prices are indicative ranges—actual quotes depend on thickness, width, finishing, quantity, country of origin, and incoterms.

Notes on the table: China factory quotes (lower end) represent direct mill offers typically published on international supplier directories. Western distributor prices usually reflect additional handling, domestic tariffs, and smaller lot sizes. We sourced mill-level Chinese listings and market surveys to form these ranges.

Why prices differ so much

Several factors push 409 pricing in different directions:

1. Raw material costs: scrap iron, chromium, and residual alloying elements affect mill costs. Nickel has modest influence on 409 because nickel content is very low, but nickel market swings still change the general stainless market sentiment.

2. Grade and finishing: 409L, surface finish (2B, HRAP), and thickness impact rolling costs. Thinner gauges (coils) often have lower per-ton costs but higher handling surcharges for small orders.

3. Order volume and MOQ: mill quotes assume large-volume contracts; distributors fill small orders and apply markups. OEM buyers purchasing container lots or direct mill contracts usually obtain the best prices.

4. Trade, freight and currency: freight rates, container availability, and FX fluctuations push landed cost higher for importers. Also, regional demand (automotive cycles) changes purchasing intensity.

5. Local market structure: in India and some emerging markets, domestic processing charges, GST/VAT, and variable supplier markups explain wide quoted ranges.

How we built the pricing ranges

We combined:

• factory and supplier listing prices for 409/409L coil and plate from Chinese supplier directories, which show low end mill quotes;

• market survey aggregators and country view pages which calculate average per-lb pricing for flat-rolled 409;

• regional trading pages and distributor inventory pages showing typical product forms and indicative prices.

This blended approach helps procurement teams to set realistic target prices before requesting formal quotations.

Practical buying advice

When we source 409 plate for customers we follow these steps:

1. Define the correct grade — 409 vs 409L; specify carbon max and any titanium requirement.

2. Specify form & finish — coil, sheet, plate; thickness, width, and surface finish (2B, HRAP, pickled, etc.).

3. Ask for mill test certificates (MTC) — ASTM A240 / ASME SA240 references; chemical & mechanical test results must be traceable to heat number.

4. Confirm packaging & delivery terms — we require sea-worthy packaging for export and corrosion inhibitors for long lead times.

5. Insist on acceptance criteria — dimensional tolerances, surface defect limits, and a replacement/return policy for non-conforming material.

6. Compare landed cost, not just mill price — include freight, duties, handling, and buffer stock costs.

Inspection and acceptance checklist

• Verify heat numbers on the plate correspond to the MTC.

• Spot-check chemical composition via lab testing (if high-integrity application).

• Inspect surface condition for pitting, heavy scale, or laminations.

• Check flatness and straightness against order tolerance.

• Carry out weld test coupons if you intend to weld; confirm no excessive warping or cracking.

Logistics, lead time and packaging

Lead time depends on: mill production schedule, whether product is standard coil or custom plate, and logistics. Factory deliveries from Chinese mills are typically measured in weeks for standard coils but can stretch longer during peak automotive seasons. Distributors usually offer faster small-quantity deliveries but at higher unit cost. Always confirm current lead times in the quotation.

Standards, certifications and traceability

Common references for 409 plate include ASTM A240 / ASME SA240 (flat-rolled stainless alloys). Buyers should request full MTC that includes:

• chemical analysis,

• mechanical test results (yield, tensile, elongation),

• heat treatment/process notes, and

• mill origin.

Environmental, recycling and end-of-life notes

409 is recyclable and often reclaimed from scrap streams. Scrap pricing and recycling economics influence long-term supply. Keeping an eye on scrap indices and industrial demand can help you time purchases or hedging strategies.

Market intelligence — how raw-material trends influence stainless pricing in 2025

Even though 409 has low nickel, broader stainless pricing is sensitive to:

• LME nickel and ferrochrome movements,

• local scrap collection rates and steel-making demand,

• automotive production cycles (major consumer of 409).

Platforms that monitor stainless price indices and LME metals provide early signals for buyers to lock in contracts or negotiate shorter lead times.

Pricing negotiation levers we use

• Bulk orders (container-level) lower the per-ton landed price substantially.

• Offer multi-month purchase commitments to mills in exchange for locked mill prices.

• Ask for split shipments or staged deliveries to manage inventory cost.

• Request sample coils or plates for in-house testing before a larger commitment.

FAQs

Q1 — What is the expected delivery lead time for 409 plate from Chinese mills?
A: Typical lead times for standard 409/409L coils or thin plates are 2–6 weeks from order confirmation, depending on current mill workload and shipment method. For custom thicknesses or large volumes, plan additional time.

Q2 — How does 409 compare to 304 or 430 in cost and corrosion resistance?
A: 409 is typically cheaper than 304 and similar or slightly cheaper than 430 depending on market conditions. It offers better high-temperature oxidation resistance than 430 in exhaust-like atmospheres because of titanium stabilisation, but worse general corrosion resistance than 304. Use 409 where elevated-temperature oxidation and cost are priorities rather than chloride resistance.

Q3 — Should I buy 409 or 409L for welded assemblies?
A: For welded thin assemblies where intergranular corrosion is a concern, 409L (low carbon) reduces carbide precipitation and is often the safer selection. Always specify MTC and confirm welding procedure qualification.

Q4 — What documents should a supplier provide with a 409 plate shipment?
A: Minimum: mill test certificate (chemical + mechanical), heat number traceability, packing list, invoice, and export compliance paperwork. For high-integrity parts, insist on third-party inspection reports.

Q5 — Can 409 be painted or coated to improve corrosion life?
A: Yes. Coatings (ceramic, aluminized layers, or high-temperature paints) can be applied for additional oxidation/corrosion protection, especially in aggressive environments. Surface preparation and coating compatibility should be tested on sample parts.