Stainless Steel Pipe Applications And Uses

Steel is one of the most preferred metallic substances when it comes to using in automobiles, construction, equipment, and so many others. Its strength, high tensile capacity, and resistance to oxidation are a few of the reasons why it is so popular. There are numerous kinds of steel available out there, and one of the most trusted ones is stainless steel pipe.

It has all the major qualities of steel, is light and cheap at the same time. It is for the same reason that it is used to make Stainless steel pipes. Stainless pipes or Stainless steel pipes are known for longevity.

Generally, pipes are used for the flow of liquid, and it is a well-known fact that any surface that comes in contact with excess amounts of the liquid tends to develop rust or some form of corrosion. To ensure that the pipes are resistant to such degradation and that they last for a long period of time, stainless steel is used to make them.

Whether it’s the pipes used in buildings, in vehicles, in tools and machines, the right thing to do is to make them using stainless steel. The uses and applications of stainless steel pipes are numerous. They are the most used pipes these days.

What Is Steel Made Of?

you may know, basically an alloy with iron as one of its base elements. Apart from iron, even carbon is used to make steel. Though steel can be made entirely using iron, a small amount of carbon is added to make it stronger. The added carbon also removes the chances of the resultant steel developing cracks. These are the two elements that are used to make mild steel.

Now, there are different kinds of steel, and different elements are added to this base mixture to make them. For instance, a certain amount of chromium is added to make the steel stainless. Needless to explain, stainless steel is resistant to corrosion and oxidation.

In the same way, elements such as vanadium are added to the iron and carbon mixture to make the steel harder. Adding vanadium also makes the resulting steel harder, and less prone to metal fatigue. Metal fatigue is a state where due to overburdening, the metal gets weaker and develops cracks. These get bigger with time, with more use, ultimately compromising its structure. Further, elements such as nickel and manganese are also added to the mixture to improve its tensile strength and make it more stable.

Different Types Of Stainless Steel And Tubing

When it comes to steel in general, there are more than 3500 different types of steel. They have different physical, chemical, and environmental properties. Now, among them, stainless steel is a kind that is considered a more durable type that is resistant to corrosion and oxidation. If you’re to divide stainless steel into types, there are four main categories altogether. These types depend on the composition of Stainless steel and the grade.

Grades don’t necessarily determine the quality of the stainless steel, rather, it’s a guide indicating the ideal use of the particular steel. 304 stainless steel is an example of stainless steel grade. It is the most commonly used grade. Among the four types of stainless steel, the first one is called Austenitic. What makes this type different from others is the use of nickel in it. There are variations of it where elements such as nitrogen, chromium, and molybdenum are also used.

Ferritic And Martensitic

The second type is called Ferritic. The low percentage of Carbon in the alloy makes it different from other stainless steel types. Elements such as chromium and molybdenum are also added to them. The third type is called Duplex, and it is a combination of Austenitic and Ferritic. It is stronger than both the stainless steel types. The final steel type is called Martensitic, and from most angles, it very much resembles Ferritic.

Only difference is the percentage of carbon contained within it. Martensitic has 10 times more carbon than Ferritic. In the same way, stainless steel tubing types also depend on the stainless steel grade. There are quite a few stainless steel tubing types. Some of them are 300 Series Austenitic, 400 Series Martensitic, 400 Series Ferritic, and so on. These differ in properties such as strength, resistance to corrosion, the proportion of elements such as chromium, nickel, carbon used while making them, and so on. As mentioned above, every grade is fit for use in a certain condition.

What Are Some Uses Of Stainless Steel Pipe?

Stainless steel pipe has wide applications depending on its type. For instance, seamless pipes are used in sectors where gas and oil are dealt with. This kind of pipe is ideal for withstanding extreme pressure and temperature. On the other hand, welded pipes are the common ones used in almost every sector. They are flexible, and that’s what makes them fit for the job.

The most reliable kinds of pipes are stainless steel pipes, and since there’s so much variation in them, the users can pick the type as per their requirement. Some of the significant areas where stainless steel pipes are used are mining and minerals, LNG, which stands for Liquified Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Oil and Gas, Desalination, and so on. Desalination is the area where the salt content is removed from the water. Then, there are obviously general homes, buildings, and so on.

Stainless Steel Properties

There are so many positive stainless steel properties that make it the first choice of pipe manufacturers. It is an eco-friendly alloy, meaning that it can be reused time and again and repurposed into different shapes and tools. It is quite durable, and it is the best substance to use to make something look aesthetically appealing.

It lasts quite long, and it’s known for being low maintenance, meaning that with very little care, one can keep it well maintained. Finally, stainless steel properties include resistance to corrosion, oxidation, and high temperature. Stainless Steel is also meant to have a very high tensile strength.

Related Content:- Growing Use Of Steel Structure In Nepal

Blog