Nevatronix Laser cuts stainless steel — 304, 316, and 430 — up to 6 mm on a 3 kW fiber source, using nitrogen assist gas to leave a bright, oxide-free edge. That edge is the reason to cut stainless on a fiber laser at all: it preserves the corrosion resistance the alloy is specified for, in a single step, with no pickling or passivation just to undo the damage of the cut.
Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Grades | 304 / 304L, 316 / 316L, 430 |
| Thickness range | 0.5 – 6 mm (0.020 – 0.236 in) |
| Cut tolerance | ±0.05 mm (±0.002 in) |
| Repeatability | ±0.025 mm |
| Edge quality | ISO 9013 range 2, oxide-free |
| Max sheet size | 1500 × 3000 mm (60 × 120 in) |
| Assist gas | Nitrogen |
How stainless behaves under a fiber laser
Stainless is cut with nitrogen, and that governs everything. Nitrogen is inert, so unlike the oxygen used on mild steel it adds no chemical energy to the cut — the laser does all the work. That is why our 3 kW cell reaches 12 mm on mild steel but 6 mm on stainless: there is no exothermic boost. In exchange, the edge comes off bright and clean, with the thin chromium-oxide passive layer that gives stainless its corrosion resistance left intact right up to the kerf.
Cutting stainless with oxygen would be faster and reach more thickness, but it scales and discolors the edge and burns off the corrosion resistance you paid for — undoing the reason the part is stainless. On our cell nitrogen is the standard, full stop. The practical cost is gas: clean-cutting nitrogen runs at high pressure and flow, so it is a more expensive cut than oxygen-cut mild steel. On a corrosion-critical or cosmetic part, that clean edge is exactly what you are buying.
304 — the default
304 (and low-carbon 304L for welded parts) is the general-purpose austenitic grade behind most stainless fabrication: enclosures, panels, brackets, and food-adjacent equipment. It cuts cleanly with nitrogen and takes a #4 or brushed finish well.
316 — for chlorides and salt
316 adds molybdenum, which sharply improves resistance to pitting from chlorides — salt air, coastal installs, washdown chemicals. It cuts identically to 304 on the laser; the difference is entirely in service environment and cost. Specify 316 when the part sees salt or aggressive cleaning, not by default.
430 — economical and magnetic
430 is a ferritic, magnetic stainless with less nickel, so it costs less. It has lower corrosion resistance than 304 or 316 and suits indoor decorative trim and appliance-style panels. It cuts well with nitrogen and is a smart choice where the look of stainless matters more than outdoor durability.
Applications by industry
Stainless is where a part has to resist corrosion and look finished without paint. In financial technology it is the exterior skin of ATMs and payment kiosks that live outdoors. In gaming and food service it is decorative cabinet trim (often 430) and QSR equipment panels that get wiped down constantly. In architectural work it is signage faces and trim where a brushed stainless finish is the design. Across all of them, the nitrogen-cut edge means the fabricated assembly holds its corrosion resistance without a recovery step.
Design tips for stainless laser-cut parts
- Specify the grade for the environment, not the habit. 304 unless there is chloride or salt exposure, then 316; 430 for economical indoor cosmetic parts.
- Call out finish and grain direction. For #4 or brushed stock, note the show face and grain so we orient the nest and keep the PVC film on the cosmetic side.
- Mind galling on downstream hardware. Stainless galls; if the part gets PEM hardware or threaded features, note it so material and coating are chosen to suit.
- Keep it away from carbon steel. Dedicated handling avoids embedding carbon-steel particles that later rust and stain the surface.
When another process fits better
- No corrosion requirement. If the part is hidden and dry, mild steel or galvanized is far cheaper.
- Weight-driven parts. Where light weight beats strength, aluminum may be the better trade.
- Heavy sections. Above 6 mm, stainless is outside our fiber envelope — send it and we will point you to the right process.
- Deep-formed or drawn shapes. Laser cutting produces flat blanks; deep draws are a forming operation, not a cut.
Quoting a stainless steel part
Send a DXF or STEP with the grade (304, 316, or 430), thickness, finish, and quantity to our quote page. We confirm the nitrogen cut, flag any finish or tolerance concern, and quote from one prototype to a 50,000-piece run out of our ISO 9001:2015 shop in Las Vegas.