What is a stainless steel pipe? Properties and applications
Many industries today use stainless steel. In addition to traditional and offshore structures, the use of household appliances is also increasing.
Although Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings is more expensive than mild steel, its superior properties prolong service life and reduce cycle costs. Therefore, high initial costs are amortized over time.
In this article, you will dive deeper into this metal and why it is so prevalent in various industries.
What is a stainless steel pipe?
Stainless steel is a group of steels that are resistant to corrosion by adding alloying elements.
The term stainless steel is used to describe a family of about 200 alloy steels with excellent properties of heat resistance and corrosion resistance. Carbon percentages range from 0.03% to 1.2%.
Its characteristic feature is a large amount of chrome. Stainless steel contains at least 10.5% chromium for improved corrosion resistance and strength.
The chromium contained in the alloy forms a passive oxide layer when exposed to air. This layer acts as an additional corrosion shield, essentially making the alloy anticorrosive. This mechanism allows you to maintain a perfect appearance for a long time under normal working conditions.
Advantages of stainless steel pipe
Stainless steel flanges have been used with tremendous success in various industries for over 70 years. As the benefits become more widely identified, more and more applications are discovered each year.
With increasing demand, production volume has increased, making it more affordable than ever. As demand grows, standard and non-standard sizes are available. In addition, a wide range of carbon steel fittings finishes is available.
In addition to the polished finish, a wide range of patterned and coloured surfaces are available. This will help you find the option that suits your needs.
Stainless steel is also 100% recyclable. In fact, half of all stainless steel production comes from scrap. This makes it a relatively environmentally friendly material.
Use Case of stainless steel pipe
Carbon steel forged fittings is a very versatile material. Suitable when both steel properties and corrosion resistance are required.
Its first use was cutlery, but because of its corrosion-resistant properties. Then he found a way to the chemical industry. Today, we can see stainless steel virtually anywhere.
Use cases vary by industry. For example, it could be used to make small parts for watches. At the same time, large panels with a specific surface finish can cover the entire building.
Based on their microstructure, they can be divided into four major categories.
Austenitic stainless steel
Austenitic stainless steel has austenite as the main microstructure. Austenite is a solid solution of iron and carbon that occurs above the critical temperature of 723 °C. This stainless steel family exhibits high toughness and impressive resistance to high temperatures.
70% of all stainless steel is austenite.Austenite stabilizer is an element added to cause the formation of austenite microstructure. This grade of stainless steel is a non-magnetic metal and cannot be hardened by heat treatment. Corrosion resistance can be changed according to the usage environment.