Beginners Guide to Steel: Stainless Steel Tube

Stainless steel tube is a versatile and durable material widely used across various industries. Known for its corrosion resistance, strength, and aesthetic appeal, stainless steel tube is a preferred choice for numerous applications. This article explores the key uses and benefits of stainless steel tubing in different sectors.

Stainless steel tube vs pipe

Stainless steel tubes are hollow, cylindrical structures used both as components in machinery and as conduits for fluid transport.

Many people confuse piping and tubing, as both have a circular cross-section and are often thought to serve similar purposes. However, unlike pipes, which are typically round, tubes can also come in shapes like square and rectangular.

A key distinction between pipes and tubes lies in their applications. Piping is primarily used for transporting gases and liquids and is measured by its internal diameter (NB – Nominal Bore which is a nominal size based on the OD less the thickness twice). In contrast, tubing predominantly serves architectural roles and is measured by its external diameter and wall thickness.

Stainless steel tube incorporates a comprehensive range of stainless steel fittings, including elbows, tees, reducers, and flanges, in various sizes, wall thicknesses, grades, and finishes to suit tube dimensions and tolerances.

Understanding stainless steel grades

To understand the various applications of stainless steel tubing, we must first delve into the various grades.

While stainless steel is the general term for a group of corrosion-resistant alloy steels, multiple grades of stainless steel exist. Each grade has a slightly different alloy composition and, therefore, slightly different physical characteristics, which are important for selecting the correct properties for your application.

Two of the most common stainless steel grades are 304 and 316. Each grade contains specific alloying ingredients that make it suitable for different applications. Understanding the differences between 304 and 316 stainless steel is important when choosing the right steel for your project.

316-grade stainless Steel, commonly referred to as “marine grade,” is extensively used in marine, food, and chemical processing equipment. It is used when better corrosion resistance is required than chromium-nickel (304-grade) stainless steel.