stainless steel pipes

First, core features and advantages

    ▶  Corrosion resistance

         Due to the alloy elements such as chromium (Cr), the surface of the stainless steel pipe forms a dense oxide film, which can resist the corrosion of water, air and chemical media, and is particularly prominent in the Marine environment (such as 316L material) and acidic media. Its corrosion resistance is several times that of galvanized steel pipe and plastic pipe, and its service life can reach more than 40 years.

    ▶  High strength and lightweight

         The tensile strength of the stainless steel pipe can reach more than 520MPa (such as 304 material), under the same bearing conditions, the thin-wall pipe (0.6~1.2mm) is 40% lighter than the traditional steel pipe, especially suitable for lightweight demand scenarios such as building curtain walls and automobile structures.

    ▶  Health and environmental protection

         The surface finish can reach Ra≤0.8μm (food grade 316L tube), inhibit bacterial growth, and meet the strict hygiene standards of the medical and food processing industries. At the same time, stainless steel can be 100% recycled, in line with the trend of green materials.

Second, material classification and application scenarios

    ▶  The material series represents model characteristics and applications

         ●  200 Series 201 contains manganese (Mn) to replace part of nickel (Ni), the cost is low, suitable for decorative guardrail, furniture and other non-high corrosion scenes.

         ●  300 series (Austenitic) 304 general material (18%Cr-8%Ni), used in building water supply and drainage, HVAC system, accounting for more than 60% of the market consumption.

         ●  316L added molybdenum (Mo), chloride ion corrosion resistance increased by 3 times, suitable for desalination equipment, pharmaceutical pipelines.

         ●  400 series (ferritic/martensite) 409 low nickel economy, good heat resistance, mostly used in automotive exhaust pipes; 410 is a high strength material, suitable for wear parts.

Third. Manufacturing process and product type

    ▶  Seamless steel pipe

         By cold drawing or hot rolling process molding, no weld, strong pressure capacity (such as nuclear power plant condenser with 30 meters of ultra-long seamless pipe), used in high temperature and high pressure energy, chemical equipment.

    ▶  Welded steel pipe

         Argon arc welding or laser welding technology, low cost, high production efficiency, suitable for building structural support, decorative special-shaped tube (such as rectangular tube, oval tube).

    ▶  Special process tube

         Electrolytic polishing tube (EP grade) : surface roughness ≤0.13μm, used in semiconductor special gas delivery system.

         Antibacterial tube: add copper (Cu) ions, inhibit E. coli and other microorganisms, used in medical devices, water purification equipment.

Fourth. Multi-field application scenarios

     ▶ Building and infrastructure

         Water supply and drainage system: Instead of galvanized steel pipe, it becomes the first choice for high-quality drinking water pipes (such as DN20-DN350 thin-wall pipes).

         Structural support: Used for high-rise curtain wall keel (such as Shanghai Tower), telescopic canopy, both strength and beauty.

    ▶  Industrial manufacturing

         Energy and chemical industry: conveying high-temperature steam, corrosive media (such as duplex stainless steel used in refinery heat exchangers).

         Food and medicine: 316L pipeline meets GMP standard and is used for dairy processing line and pharmaceutical purified water transportation.

      ▶ Emerging technology and people's livelihood

         Smart home: Antibacterial stainless steel tube combined with temperature control module to create water purification system; Shaped fittings support modular furniture.

         Environmental protection project: Super austenite pipe for sewage treatment aeration system, resistant to hydrogen sulfide corrosion.

Fifth. Future Development Trend

    ▶  High performance

         Develop nitrogen alloyed stainless steel (such as 304N1), increase the tensile strength to 800MPa, and expand high-end fields such as deep-sea oil and gas pipelines.

    ▶ Intelligent fusion

         Implanted optical fiber sensor, real-time monitoring of pipeline stress state, applied to smart city underground pipe network.

    ▶ Green manufacturing upgrade

         Promote low-energy surface treatment technologies (such as environmentally friendly electrolytic polishing) to reduce carbon emissions in the production process.

With its irreplaceable material characteristics, stainless steel pipes have penetrated into core fields such as construction, industry, and medical care, and continue to expand in the direction of new energy and intelligence. When selecting, it is necessary to combine the corrosiveness of the medium, pressure requirements and cost budget, giving priority to mature materials such as 304/316L, and paying attention to the localization process of high-performance special pipes.