Stainless Steel Pipe Types


Stainless steel is a versatile material comprised of a steel alloy and a small percentage of chromium — the addition of chromium adds to the material’s corrosion resistance, a trait that earned stainless steel its name. Because stainless steel is also low-maintenance, oxidation resistant, and doesn’t affect other metals it comes in contact with, it is frequently used in a large array of applications, especially in piping and tubing manufacturing. Based on the end use of the pipe, stainless pipe is broken down into several categories.


Since the development of stainless steel over hundred years ago, it has become world’s most used and popular material. Since stainless steel has the notable corrosion resistance that helps in increasing features with chromium content. The resistance can be shown in reducing acids as well as against pitting attacks such as in chloride solutions. It requires low maintenance, and is familiar to luster thus making it an ideal and best material for SS pipes.


This versatile material is indispensible in wide industries. This may contain number of application especially for SS pipes that benefit user with positive properties.


Iron-containing alloys made from more than two chemical elements are known as stainless steel. It is widely been used in comprehensive range of applications. Stainless steel alloy is basically steel alloy with iron, nickel, and chromium percentage contents in abundance.


The stainless steel has been in presence for centuries, since it is vulnerable toward corrosion and works better in tough condition. The stainless steel gets recognized late in year 1800’s with a combination of iron-chromium with offered rust resistance. Since, then it is mold into stainless steel pipes so that it gets used for number of industrial applications.


In 1912, a researcher of brown-firth laboratory founded a martensitic SS alloy finally. The new material got labeled as Staybrite. The stainless steel alloy comprises of iron alloy with minimum amount of chromium up to 10.5%. You can see tremendous variety of alloys in the market, the only thing they differ is in chemical composition. The alloying elements are titanium, nickel, carbon, copper, nitrogen that can boost formability, strength, and other SS properties.


The stainless steel pipe is available in different product type such as welded pipes and seamless pipes. The composition may vary and this makes it possible to use it in respective industries. Generic industrial company use stainless steel pipe for regular use.


Different Types of Steel Tubing and Stainless Steel Piping


Pipes and tubes are sometimes difficult to classify, and tend to be distinguished based on function. In addition to these classifications, stainless steel is also distinguished by type and grade.


304 Stainless Steel Pipe


For tubing and piping applications, type 304 stainless steel is a common selection because it is highly chemical- and corrosion-resistant. However, type 304 stainless steel is not compatible with applications where temperatures fall between 800 and 1640 degrees Fahrenheit (F) because it is prone to carbide precipitation, a result of the material’s .08 percent carbon content limit. Stainless steel type 304L circumvents this problem because it has a lower carbon content limit, and therefore can be subjected to welding and higher temperature applications. Other types of stainless steel often possess additives (such as nickel or molybdenum) which strengthen traits that are desirable in particular applications.


Stainless Steel Tubing for General Corrosion-Resistance


Stainless tube general category of steel is appropriate for applications that require corrosion resistance above other traits. Ferritic or martensitic types of steel (those made with the most chromium) are manufactured to be either heat-treated or annealed. Austenitic Stainless steels (those with high chromium and nickel contents) offer even more resistance, and can be used under the same general conditions as ferritic and martensitic types.


Stainless Steel Pressure Pipe


This type of stainless steel pipe is made from either solid chromium or a chromium and nickel combination. Types of stainless steel pressure pipe include seamless and welded pipe, electric fusion welded pipe for high-pressure applications, large diameter welded pipe for corrosive or high-temperature applications, and seamless and welded ferritic and austenitic stainless steel pipe.


Stainless Steel Sanitary Tubing


For applications where stainless steel tubing or piping must come into contact with food and other sensitive products, sanitation is a high priority. Stainless steel sanitary tubing is used in such applications because it has high corrosion-resistance, doesn’t tarnish, and is easy to keep clean. For specific applications, different tolerances can be achieved. The grade typically used for these applications is ASTMA270.


Stainless Steel Mechanical Tubing


In applications such as cylinders, bearings, and other hollow formed parts, stainless steel mechanical tubing is typically used. Tubing can manipulated to have a variety of cross-sectional shapes, such as square and rectangular, in addition to the more traditional, round tubing cross-section. Typically, ASTMA 511 and A554 grades are employed for mechanical tubing applications.


Stainless Steel Aircraft Tubing


In highly-specific aircraft applications, chromium and nickel type stainless steel is used because of their heat and corrosion-resistance. Found in applications that require high-strength, stainless steel aircraft tubing can be work-hardened or welded, although work-hardened pieces shouldn’t be used with some kinds of corrosive substances. Low-carbon types of stainless steel are a common choice for welded parts.


For applications that require seamless and welded tubing in larger sizes (1.6 to 125 mm in outside diameter), aircraft structural tubing is used—this type of stainless steel is manufactured according to Aerospace Material Specifications (AMS) or Military Specifications (MIL Specs).


Aircraft Hydraulic-Line Tubing


Another type of aircraft tubing, aircraft hydraulic-line tubing is used in aerospace applications as fuel-injection lines and hydraulic systems, and tends to be small. It is often manufactured from types 304 or 304 L stainless steel because of the steel’s high-strength, corrosion-resistance, and ductility.






AP pipe, or Acid Pickling, uses acidic solutions such as nitric acid and fluorine acid to


Remove the oxide layer of the steel pipe. Cheap and fast, but easy to cause grain boundary corrosion and rough inner and outer surfaces


The roughness is easy to have suspended impurities attached. AP literally means pickling surface, and in the category of clean products, it means pickling surface + oil-free cleaning


MP Tube-Mechanically Polished Pipe


MP tube : Mechanical polishing is often used for the oxide layer on the surface of steel pipes,


The brightness and effect of holes and scratches depend on the type of processing method. In addition, after mechanical polishing


Although it is more beautiful, it will reduce the corrosion resistance, so when used in a corrosive environment, it needs to be passivated.


reason. And there are often polishing material residues on the surface of the steel pipe


BA tube-Bright Annealed Pipe Bright Annealed Pipe BA is the bright annealing Bright Annealing steel pipe in the process of drawing will definitely need grease lubrication and the grain will also be deformed due to processing. In order to avoid this grease remaining in the steel pipe, in addition to cleaning the steel pipe, you can also use high temperature annealing at high temperature to eliminate deformation, using argon as the furnace atmosphere, and further clean the steel pipe by combining argon with the carbon and oxygen on the surface of the steel pipe. The surface has a bright surface effect, so this method of using pure argon annealing to heat and quickly cool to brighten the bright surface is called bright annealing. Although the use of this method to brighten the surface can ensure that the steel pipe is fully clean and free of any external pollution. However, if the brightness of this surface is compared with other polishing methods mechanical, chemical, and electrolytic, it will feel like a matte surface. Of course, the effect is also related to the argon content and the number of heating times.


EP tube ElectroPolished Pipe (EP 0 (Electro Polishing) Electropolishing is the use of anodizing method to appropriately adjust the voltage, current, acid composition, and polishing time through the principle of electrochemistry. Not only can the surface become bright, Smooth and clean effect 0 can also improve the surface corrosion resistance, so it is the best surface brightening method, of course, its cost and technology also increase. However, because electrolytic polishing will highlight the original state of the steel pipe surface, if the steel pipe surface has serious scratches and holes.