What is a Stainless Steel Pipe
A stainless steel pipe is made from iron-based alloys containing a minimum of 10.5% chromium, which provides excellent corrosion resistance. They are further enhanced with elements like nickel, molybdenum, and titanium to improve their properties.
A duplex stainless steel pipe is a type of corrosion-resistant piping made from duplex stainless steel, a family of alloys characterized by a two-phase microstructure combining austenitic and ferritic structures. The term “duplex” (Latin for “double”) reflects this hybrid composition, which merges the best properties of both phases to deliver exceptional performance in demanding environments.
Types of Stainless Steel Pipes
- Based on material grades
- Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipe (e.g., 304, 316): Non-magnetic, excellent corrosion resistance, and formability. Most common in food, chemical, and architectural applications.
- Ferritic Stainless Steel Pipe (e.g., 430): Magnetic, moderate corrosion resistance, and lower cost. Used in automotive exhaust systems.
- Martensitic Stainless Steel Pipe (e.g., 410): High strength and hardness, suitable for cutlery or mechanical components.
- Duplex Stainless Steel Pipe (e.g., 2205): Hybrid austenitic-ferritic structure offering high strength and corrosion resistance for industrial applications.
- Based on manufacturing process
- seamless stainless steel pipe: ideal for high-pressure applications
- welding stainless steel pipe: ERW carbon steel pipes, LSAW carbon steel pipes, SSAW carbon steel pipes, suitable for low-to-medium pressure uses.
- Based on shape
- stainless steel square pipe
- stainless steel round pipe
What are the Advantages of Stainless Steel Pipes
- Superior Corrosion Resistance
- Resists rust in humid, acidic, or salty environments (e.g., seawater, chemical plants); grades like 316 handle chlorides better than carbon steel.
- High-Temperature Performance
- Maintains integrity up to 870°C (grade 304) and 800°C (grade 316), ideal for boilers, exhausts, and furnaces.
- Hygienic & Aesthetic
- Non-porous surface prevents bacterial growth (FDA-compliant for food/pharma); polished finishes suit architectural designs.
- Long Lifespan
- 2–3x longer service life than carbon steel in harsh conditions, reducing replacement costs.
- Eco-Friendly
- 100% recyclable with no degradation; retains 60–80% of original value in scrap.
What are the Disadvantages of Stainless Steel Pipes
- High Cost
- 3–5x pricier than carbon steel; alloying elements (nickel, chromium) drive up material expenses.
- Complex Fabrication
- Requires specialized TIG welding and slow cooling to avoid carbide precipitation (risk in grade 304/316).
- Thermal Conductivity
- 50% lower than copper, making it less efficient for heat exchangers unless thin-walled.
- Weight
- 10–15% heavier than aluminum pipes, increasing structural support needs.
- Limited High-Strength Options
- Tensile strength of common grades (e.g., 304: 505 MPa) trails high-carbon steel (700+ MPa).
How are Stainless Steel Pipes made
- Raw Material Preparation
- Stainless steel pipes start with molten steel blended with chromium (10.5% minimum), nickel, molybdenum, or other alloys to enhance corrosion resistance and strength. The mixture is cast into billets or solid cylindrical bars for further processing.
- Forming Methods
- Seamless Pipe Production
- Extrusion: Heated billets are pierced by a mandrel and extruded through a die to form hollow tubes.
- Cold Drawing: Seamless tubes are precision-sized by pulling through a die for uniform thickness and smooth surfaces.
- Welded Pipe Production
- Roll Forming: Stainless steel coils are fed through rollers to form a cylindrical shape.
- Electric Resistance Welding (ERW): Edges are fused using high-frequency electric current to create a seam.
- TIG Welding: For high-purity applications, inert gas shielding ensures clean, oxidation-free joints.
- Seamless Pipe Production
- Heat Treatment
- Pipes undergo solution annealing (heated to 1,040–1,150°C and rapidly cooled) to eliminate internal stresses, restore ductility, and stabilize corrosion resistance.
- Surface Finishing
- Pickling: Acid baths remove oxidation and scale.
- Polishing: Mechanical or electrochemical methods achieve smooth, reflective surfaces for aesthetics or hygiene-critical applications.
- Quality Control & Testing
- Hydrostatic Testing: Pipes are pressurized to check for leaks or weaknesses.
- Ultrasonic Testing: Detects internal flaws or inconsistencies in wall thickness.
- Chemical Analysis: Ensures alloy composition meets standards like ASTM or ISO.
Applications of Stainless Steel Pipes
Stainless steel pipes are used across diverse industries:
- Construction: Handrails, structural components, and water supply systems.
- Oil & Gas: Transporting corrosive fluids or hydrocarbons.
- Food & Beverage: Sanitary processing lines and brewery equipment.
- Pharmaceuticals: Sterile fluid transfer systems.
- Automotive: Exhaust systems and fuel lines.
- Renewable Energy: Solar thermal systems and hydrogen pipelines.
How to Select the Right Stainless Steel Pipe Material
1. Key Selection Factors
- Corrosion Environment:
- For chloride-rich or acidic environments (e.g., seawater, chemical plants), TP316/316L (Mo-enhanced) outperforms TP304 due to superior pitting resistance.
- In oxidizing environments (nitric acid), 314 (23–30% Cr) offers exceptional resistance.
- Temperature Requirements:
- High-temperature applications (e.g., furnaces, exhausts): 310S/2520 (up to 1,100°C) or 314 (up to 1,000°C) retain strength and oxidation resistance.
- Cryogenic conditions: Austenitic grades (TP304/316) maintain ductility below -200°C.
- Mechanical Load:
- High-pressure systems: Duplex stainless steel (e.g., 2205) provides 2x yield strength of standard austenitic grades.
- Structural support: Martensitic grades (e.g., 410) offer high tensile strength (700+ MPa).
- Hygiene Standards:
- Food/pharma industries require polished TP304/316L surfaces (FDA compliance).
2. Material Options & Applications
| Grade | Key Features | Typical Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| TP304 | Cost-effective, general corrosion resistance | Plumbing, food processing, HVAC |
| TP316 | Mo-added for chloride resistance | Marine, chemical pipelines |
| 310S/2520 | High Cr/Ni for extreme heat | Furnace parts, heat exchangers |
| 904L | Superior sulfuric/phosphoric acid resistance | Petrochemical, pollution control |
| Duplex 2205 | High strength + stress corrosion cracking resistance | Offshore oil/gas pipelines |
3. Cost vs. Performance Trade-offs
- Budget-friendly: TP304 costs 20–30% less than TP316 but lacks molybdenum for harsh environments.
- High-value alloys: 904L and 310S are 3–5x pricier but critical for specialized industrial uses.
- Welding/fabrication: Austenitic grades (TP304/316) are easier to weld than duplex/martensitic types, reducing labor costs.
4. Certification & Standards
- Verify compliance with ASTM A312 (seamless/welded austenitic) or ASME SA213 (high-temperature service).
- For marine applications, ensure NACE MR0175 compliance for sulfide stress corrosion resistance.
Our Stainless Steel Pipe Dimensions, Sizes and Materials
| Outside Diameter | 10.3 to 1500 mm (1/8” to 60” NPS) | |
| Wall Thickness | 1 to 60 mm (0.04” to 2.37”) | |
| Length | Customized | |
| Type of Pipes | Seamless or welded | |
| Type of End | Plain ends, beveled ends | |
| Material Grade | A/SA-213 A/SA-249 A/SA-269 A/SA-312 A/SA-511 | TP304, TP304L, TP304H, TP310S, TP310H, TP316, TP316H, TP316L, TP317, TP317L, TP321, TP321H, TP347, TP347H, etc. |
| A/SA-268 | TP405, TP410, TP429, TP430, TP443, TP446, TP409, TP439, etc. | |
| A/SA-270 A/SA-554 | TP304, TP304L, TP316, TP316L | |
| A/SA-358 A/SA-778 | TP304, TP304L, TP316, TP316L, TP321, TP321H | |
| A/SA-789 A/SA-790 | S31200, S31260, S31500, S31803, S32205, S32750, S32760, S32304, S32900, etc. | |
| A/SA-928 | S31200, S31260, S31500, S31803, S32205, S32750, S32760, S32304, etc. | |
For other customized requirements, please contact us. We can also provide stainless steel tube bending services.
What is the Price of Stainless Steel Pipes
Please contact our sales manager Allen@sanesteel.com
Why Choose Us
- A 16-year stainless steel pipe supplier. We are experts.
- solutions for all your needs
- the highest product quality
- the low lead times
- excellent customer service
