Stainless steel is a versatile metal and is constituted with a steel alloy and at least 10.5% of chromium. The inclusion of chromium lends the metal its anti-corrosive feature. Besides this feature, stainless steel requires low maintenance, is resistant to oxidation and does not react with metals it comes into contact with.
It is therefore, an essential item featured in a wide array of applications. One of the important applications where it is used is in the manufacture of tubing and piping. Following article gives a brief on the types of stainless steel that are most suited to specific applications.
Stainless Steel used for Piping
The type of stainless steel used for piping and tubing is type 304 due to its high corrosion and chemical resistance. In applications where the temperatures drop within ranges of 800 and 1640 degree Fahrenheit this type of steel is not useful due to its susceptibility to carbide precipitation. This happens because of its .08% carbon content limit. So for such applications, 304L type of stainless steel is used due to its lesser carbon content limit. Some forms of stainless steel contain few percentages of molybdenum or nickel which impart more beneficial features.
Stainless Steel for Pressure Pipes
The stainless steel combination that is appropriate for pressure pipes includes a nickel and chromium combination or a pure chromium one. The pressure pipes can be welded and seamless pipes, welded pipes with big diameters meant for high temperature or corrosive applications, welded and seamless austenitic and ferritic pipes and electric fusion welded pipes for large pressure applications. Stainless steel seamless pipe suppliers will have varied stock of this type.
Stainless Steel for Sanitary Tubing
Sanitation becomes a critical factor in the food and beverage industry and others involving production of sensitive items. Stainless steel sanitary piping or tubing is used in such applications as it does not oxidize, has high resistance to corrosion and offers ease of cleaning. Different tolerances can be provided for varying applications as per the need.
Stainless Steel for Aircraft Tubing
For certain aircraft applications, the nickel and chromium combination stainless steel type is used due to its high resistance to corrosion and heat. If the welded and seamless tubing is needed in bigger sizes where the outside diameter ranges from 1.6 to 125 mm then aircraft structural tubing is best suited. The production of this stainless steel type is undertaken as per Military Specifications or Aerospace Material Specifications. Another application of aerospace aircraft tubing is as fuel-injection lines and hydraulic systems. The tubing is produced from 304L or 304 type of stainless steel and is often small in size.
Stainless Steel for Mechanical Tubing
Stainless steel mechanical tubing is normally used in applications like bearings, cylinders and parts involving hollow formations. The cross-sectional shapes of the stainless steel can be rectangular, square or round. In most cases, A554 and ASTMA 511 grades of steel are used for such applications.
On a Concluding Note
There are several stainless steel pipe suppliers who stock varied stainless steel types required for the above mentioned applications. Choose one who has a good reputation in the market and get your requirements fulfilled from him.