SUS301-CSP H vs SUS304-CSP H Stainless Steel Sheet | Comparison for Russian Bobst Equipment
For Russian packaging converters operating Bobst die-cutting and folding-gluing lines, the choice of stainless steel sheet is directly linked to cutting quality, running speed and downtime. Many existing machines in Russia were originally designed around SUS301-CSP H from Japanese mills.
However, in practical sourcing from China today, the only realistic high-performance option is SUS304-CSP H stainless steel sheet with a 2B surface finish, hardened to 35–40 HRC. This material is currently the only commercially available combination of grade, hardness and stability from Chinese mills that can truly meet Bobst equipment requirements for critical wear and support parts.
This page explains:
How SUS301-CSP H and SUS304-CSP H differ
Why Chinese-produced SUS304-CSP H stainless steel sheet (2B only) is the practical choice
Where and how it fits into Bobst machines used in the Russian packaging industry
1. Role of Stainless Steel Sheet in Bobst Packaging Lines
Bobst flatbed die-cutters and folder-gluers used in Russia run at high speed and high load. In these machines, thin stainless steel sheet is used in several key locations:
Cutting plates and support plates under the die
Wear rails and guides in the feeding and folding sections
Shims and spacers for precise cutting pressure adjustment
Sliding plates and covers exposed to dust, glue and cleaning agents
These parts must meet a strict combination of requirements:
Precise thickness (typically 0.5–1.5 mm) and flatness
High hardness to resist cutting impact and wear
Reliable corrosion resistance in humid, glue-contaminated environments
Stable performance over long production runs
Any compromise here leads to:
Uneven cutting
Frequent shimming and adjustment
Shorter plate life and increased downtime
This is why material choice is so critical.
2. SUS301-CSP H – Reference Spring Grade, But Not Readily Available from China
SUS301-CSP H is a high tensile, full-hard stainless spring strip. It is known for:
Very high tensile strength (approx. 1,100–1,300 MPa in H temper)
High elastic limit and strong springback
Good fatigue resistance under cyclic loading
Typical chemistry (mass %):
C ≤ 0.15
Cr: 16.0–18.0
Ni: 6.0–8.0
Mn ≤ 2.0, Si ≤ 1.0, P ≤ 0.045, S ≤ 0.030
It is an excellent material for springs, clips and elastic components. That is why it appears in original designs for:
Spring clips in feeding systems
Tension elements in folding units
Small elastic parts in position control mechanisms
However, in the current Chinese production environment, SUS301-CSP H for export is:
Mostly a custom product
Subject to higher minimum order quantities
Associated with longer lead times
This makes it difficult for Russian converters to rely solely on SUS301-CSP H when updating or retrofitting Bobst equipment.
3. Chinese SUS304-CSP H Stainless Steel Sheet (2B) – The Realistic Solution
In contrast, Chinese mills and service centers can supply SUS304-CSP H stainless steel sheet on a stable, commercial basis.
3.1 Grade and hardness
SUS304-CSP H is based on the familiar 304 stainless family but processed for higher strength and hardness. After controlled cold work and tempering, Chinese SUS304-CSP H stainless steel sheet can reach:
Hardness: typically 35–40 HRC
Tensile strength: approx. 800–1,100 MPa (depending on thickness and reduction)
This hardness range is critical. It is high enough to:
Resist cutting impact in the die-cutting area
Withstand friction on rails and guides
Maintain geometry over long production runs
At the same time, it still provides:
Good toughness
Sufficient formability for bending within reasonable radii
3.2 Surface finish – only 2B in Chinese supply
In real Chinese mill production, SUS304-CSP H for Bobst-type applications is supplied almost exclusively in a 2B surface finish:
2B = cold rolled, smooth matte finish
Ra is low enough for clean contact surfaces
Easy to clean and compatible with sliding applications
Other finishes such as BA, No. 4 or mirror polish would require additional secondary processing in local workshops. As a result:
From Chinese mills, the realistic option for SUS304-CSP H stainless steel sheet is 2B only – and this 2B sheet, hardened to 35–40 HRC, is the version that is used to match Bobst equipment requirements.
The key message:
You are not choosing between many surface options in China.
You are choosing between SUS304-CSP H 2B with the right hardness, or grades that simply cannot meet Bobst’s mechanical demands.
4. Why SUS304-CSP H 2B Stainless Steel Sheet Meets Bobst Requirements
Even though original Bobst designs may specify SUS301-CSP H in some documents, in actual operation the critical factors for plates and guides are:
Hardness and wear resistance
Surface stability and flatness
Corrosion resistance
Chinese SUS304-CSP H 2B stainless steel sheet meets these points.
4.1 Hardness 35–40 HRC for wear and impact
The 35–40 HRC hardness of SUS304-CSP H:
Protects cutting plates against indentation from steel rules
Reduces groove formation and edge rounding over time
Extends the interval between plate replacement or re-grinding
For Russian converters running large volumes on Bobst lines, this translates into:
More consistent cutting quality
Fewer stoppages for make-ready
Lower cost per job and per million sheets
4.2 Corrosion resistance and plant environment
Compared with standard carbon steel or low-alloy sheet, SUS304-CSP H offers:
Strong resistance to humidity and condensation
Good performance in contact with cleaning fluids and mild chemicals
No rust transfer to paper or board
For packaging plants in Russia, where temperature and humidity can vary significantly, this is an important long-term benefit.
5. SUS301-CSP H vs SUS304-CSP H: Practical View for Russian Buyers
From a pure material science perspective:
SUS301-CSP H is stronger and more elastic
SUS304-CSP H has better corrosion resistance and high-temperature stability
But from a practical sourcing perspective in China:
SUS301-CSP H is a custom spring product, not widely held as hardened sheet in stock
SUS304-CSP H 2B stainless steel sheet with 35–40 HRC is the only realistic, mill-produced option that can be ordered, cut and shipped efficiently for Bobst parts
In other words:
For replacement plates, rails, shims and other rigid components on Bobst equipment in Russia, Chinese SUS304-CSP H 2B stainless steel sheet is the only material that combines availability, hardness and corrosion resistance to meet the machine’s working requirements.
Springs and very specific elastic components may still use SUS301-CSP H or other spring alloys. But for sheet-based parts, SUS304-CSP H has become the practical standard.
6. Typical Bobst Parts Using SUS304-CSP H 2B Stainless Steel Sheet
Russian converters who have switched to SUS304-CSP H 2B from China typically use it in:
Die-cutting support plates and make-ready plates
Thicknesses around 0.8–1.5 mm
Hardness 35–40 HRC prevents fast wear
Side guides and transport rails
Stable 2B surface supports smooth carton flow
Shims and adjusting plates
Accurate thickness to fine-tune cutting and creasing pressure
Sliding wear pieces and contact plates
Stainless surface resists glue and cleaning chemicals
For all these positions, the combination of stainless steel sheet, 2B finish and 35–40 HRC hardness in SUS304-CSP H has proven sufficient to meet or exceed Bobst’s functional demands.
7. Conclusion – Why SUS304-CSP H 2B Is the Realistic Choice
In theory, several stainless grades could be discussed for Bobst machinery. In practice, when sourcing from China for the Russian packaging industry:
SUS301-CSP H remains a reference spring grade, but is not readily available as hardened sheet in standard stock
Standard 304 or 201 stainless sheets do not reach the hardness range needed for cutting plates and wear strips
Carbon steel sheets lack the corrosion resistance and long-term stability required in modern packaging plants
This leaves Chinese SUS304-CSP H 2B stainless steel sheet, hardened to 35–40 HRC, as the only commercially realistic material that:
Matches Bobst machine requirements for plates, guides and wear parts
Offers reliable corrosion resistance and plant-friendly performance
Is available in sheet form, ready for cutting and fabrication
If you are running Bobst equipment in Russia and need a stable supply of high-hardness stainless steel sheet suitable for die-cutting plates, guides and shims, SUS304-CSP H 2B from China is the practical material to specify.
We can support you with:
Recommended thicknesses for Bobst-type parts
Hardness ranges and test reports
Cut-to-size plates and strips, ready for installation
FAQS
Q1. Why can’t I simply keep using SUS301-CSP H for all Bobst parts?
SUS301-CSP H is an excellent spring grade, but in China it is mainly produced as a custom stainless spring strip, not as ready-to-use hardened stainless steel sheet for plates and guides. Lead times, minimum order quantities and cost make it difficult to use SUS301-CSP H for every replacement part on Bobst machines, especially for general wear plates and support components.
Q2. Why is SUS304-CSP H 2B the practical choice from Chinese mills?
Chinese producers can supply SUS304-CSP H 2B stainless steel sheet on a stable, commercial basis with hardness around 35–40 HRC. This combination of grade, finish and hardness meets the mechanical and surface requirements of Bobst equipment and can be cut, machined and installed without redesigning the machine.
Q3. Is a 2B surface finish sufficient for Bobst die-cutting and folding units?
Yes. For cutting plates, guides, shims and wear strips, a 2B surface is smooth, cleanable and consistent enough for high-speed packaging work. It supports accurate sheet transport and contact without needing mirror polish. Where a different texture is required, it can be created as a secondary process on top of 2B.
Q4. Does SUS304-CSP H stainless steel sheet match the hardness needed under the cutting forme?
With a controlled hardness of 35–40 HRC, SUS304-CSP H 2B stainless steel sheet provides adequate resistance against rule impact and surface wear in Bobst die-cutting sections. It offers a good balance between hardness, toughness and machinability for support plates and related parts.
Q5. Can SUS304-CSP H replace SUS301-CSP H in all positions on a Bobst line?
No. For true spring and highly elastic components, SUS301-CSP H or other dedicated spring steels may still be preferred. SUS304-CSP H is the practical choice for rigid stainless steel sheet parts such as plates, guides, covers and shims where hardness, corrosion resistance and availability are more important than springback.
Q6. What information should I provide when asking for a quotation?
For fast and accurate pricing, it helps to provide:
Grade: SUS304-CSP H
Surface: 2B
Required hardness range (for example 35–40 HRC)
Thickness, width, length or drawing for finished parts
Application: Bobst plate, guide, shim, rail, etc.
This allows us to match the stainless steel sheet specification to your Bobst equipment and production needs.
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