Stainless Steel Tubing Applications

SSINA: Stainless Steel Applications: Tubing: "A Hollow product of round or any other cross-section having a continuous periphery. It may be made in either a seamless or welded form. It is manufactured to specific dimensions, usually the outside diameter and the wall thickness.
There are several grades of steel that Tubing is available in. Use the guide below to find out which is right for you.
GradeDescriptionApplications
304General PurposeChemical processing equipment, Food processing equipment, Mechanical & structural components, Canopy supports
(click here for complete list)

309SCr & Ni increased for high temperatureHeat exchanger tubing, Furnace parts, Oil burner parts, Exhaust pipes

310SSame as 309, only more soAnnealing boxes, Furnace belts, Heat exchanger tubing, Oil burner parts

316Mo added to increase corrosion resistanceFood processing equipment, Mechanical & structural components, Canopy supports, Piping systems
(click here for complete list)

317More Mo & Cr added for better corrosion performanceChemical processing tubing, Dyeing equipment, Ink manufacturing equipment, Pulp & paper manufacturing equipment

321Ti added to prevent carbicle precipitationHeat exchanger tubing, Chemical processing tubing, Pressure tank tubing

347Cb added to prevent carbicle precipitationHeat exchanger tubing, Furnace stacks, Chemical processing tubing, Pressure tank tubing


430P & S added for improved machiningMechanical & structural tubing, Architectural tubing, Heat exchanger tubing, Condensers, Re-heaters, Evaporators"

Stainless Steel Wire Applications

SSINA: Stainless Steel Applications: Wire: "A round or shaped cold reduced product in coils only.
There are several grades of steel that Wire is available in. Use the guide below to find out which is right for you.
Grade Description Applications
304 General Purpose Fasteners, nails and brads, Lock washers, Wire belts, Rivets, Braided hoses
(click here for complete list)

308Higher Cr & Ni used primarily for weldingWelding filler wire

309Cr & Ni increased for high temperatureFurnace Parts

316Mo added to increase corrosion resistanceChemical processing equipment, Shafts, Sea water components, Reinforcing bar tie wire
(click here for complete list)

317More Mo & Cr added for better corrosion performanceChemical processing equipment, Pulp & paper manufacturing equipment, Wire cloth

321Ti added to prevent carbicle precipitationHose braid

409Lower Cr Primarily used for automotive exhaustWelding wire for exhaust systems

410General PurposeFasteners, nails and brads, Shafts


420Increased C to improve mechanical propertiesSurgical staples, Dental instruments, Surgical instruments, Fish hooks

430P & S added for improved machiningFormed wire parts, Steel wool, Pot scrubbers

439A higher chromium version of 409Exhaust system brackets, Wheel cover spokes, Welding wire

446Cr increased to improve scaling resistanceGlass sealing pins

SHEET & STRIP PLATE BAR WIRE TUBING

Stainless Steel Bar Applications

Straight lengths either hot rolled, forged, extruded, turned, cold drawn or ground.
There are several grades of steel that Bar is available in. Use the guide below to find out which is right for you.
GradeDescriptionApplications
304General PurposeHardware, Shafting, Food processing equipment, Fasteners, Anchor bolts
(click here for complete list)

309SCr & Ni increased for high temperatureConveyor parts, Furnace parts, Chemical processing equipment (elevated temperature)
(click here for complete list)

310SSame as 309, only more soConveyor parts, Furnace parts, Chemical processing equipment (elevated temperature)
(click here for complete list)

316Mo added to increase corrosion resistanceChemical processing equipment, Shafts, Sea water components, Reinforcing bars
(click here for complete list)

317More Mo & Cr added for better corrosion performanceChemical processing equipment, Pulp & paper manufacturing equipment

321Ti added to prevent carbicle precipitationCollector rings, Jet engine parts

347Cb added to prevent carbicle precipitationCollector rings, Jet engine parts

403Select quality for turbines and highly stressed partsJet engine parts

410General PurposeBushings, Bearings, Fasteners, Pump shafts, Screw machine parts: nuts, bolts, screws, shafting, etc.


420Increased C to improve mechanical propertiesCutlery, Dental instruments, Surgical instruments, Fish hooks

430FP & S added for improved machiningParts produced from a screw machine operation

440 (C)C increased for highsest hardness. Cr increased for corrosion resistanceBearings, Bushings, Knives

Stainless Steel Plate Applications

A flat rolled or forged product: 10 inches (254 mm) and OVER in width, 0.1875 inches (4.76 mm) and OVER in thickness.
There are several grades of steel that Plate is available in. Use the guide below to find out which is right for you.
GradeDescriptionApplications
304General PurposeChemical equipment, Pressure vessels, Cryogenic vessels, Dairy equipment, Nuclear vessels and components
(click here for complete list)

309SCr & Ni increased for high temperatureAnnealing boxes, Chemical processing equipment (elevated temperature), Conveyor parts, Dryers
(click here for complete list)

310SSame as 309, only more soAnnealing boxes, Chemical processing equipment (elevated temperature), Conveyor parts, Dryers
(click here for complete list)

316Mo added to increase corrosion resistanceChemical processing equipment, Food processing equipment, Oil refining equipment, Paper industry digesters, evaporators & handling equipment
(click here for complete list)

317More Mo & Cr added for better corrosion performanceChemical processing equipment, Dying equipment
Pulp & paper manufacturing equipment, Desalination equipment

321Ti added to prevent carbicle precipitationPlate heat exchangers, Chemical equipment, Fire walls, Pressure tanks

330Si increased for highest heat resistanceAnnealing boxes, Combustion chambers, Burners and exhaust parts

410General PurposePress plates, Coal chutes, Oil burner parts


430P & S added for improved machiningBank vaults, Combustion chambers, Tanks

Stainless Steel Sheet & Strip Applications

Sheet

A flat rolled product in coils or cut lengths: 24 inches (610 mm) and OVER in width and UNDER 0.1875 (4.76 mm) in thickness.

Strip

A flat rolled product in coils or cut lengths: 24 inches (610 mm) and UNDER in width and UNDER 0.1875 (4.76 mm) in thickness.
There are several grades of steel that Sheet & Strip is available in. Use the guide below to find out which is right for you.

304
General Purpose
Cookware, Flatware, Autmomotive wiper arms, Hardware, hinges, Entry Doors(click here for complete list)


305
Ni increased to lower work hardening
Coffee urn tops, Expanded material parts, Formed parts (requiring extra low work hardening characteristics), Free spinning operations(click here for complete list)



309S
Cr & Ni increased for high temperature
Annealing boxes, Chemical processing equipment (elevated temperature), Conveyor parts, Dryers, Electric range elements, Furnace parts



310S
Same as 309, only more so
Annealing boxes, Furnace belts, Chemical processing equipment (elevated temperature), Conveyor parts Dryers, Furnace parts



316
Mo added to increase corrosion resistance
Chemical processing equipment, Storage tanks, Chemical transportation tanks, Food processing equipment, Oil refining equipment(click here for complete list)



317
More Mo & Cr added for better corrosion performance
Chemical processing equipment, Ink manufacturing equipment, Pharmaceutical processing equipment, Fertilizer handling equipment



321
Ti added to prevent carbicle precipitation
Aircraft exhaust manifold and flanges, Chemical equipment, Fire walls, Pressure tanks



347
Cb added to prevent carbicle precipitation
Aircraft exhaust manifold and flanges, Expansion joints, Furnace stacks and dampers, Welded storage tanks for organic chemicals



330
Si increased for highest heat resistance
Annealing boxes, Combustion chambers, Burners and exhaust parts



409
Lower Cr Primarily used for automotive exhaust
Automotive exhaust systems, Fins for heater tubes, Smoke control ductwork, Transformer and capacitor cases(click here for complete list)



410/410S
General Purpose
Bushings, Trays for oil fractionating towers, Hardware, Cutlery, Press plates



420
Increased C to improve mechanical properties
Cutlery/Scissors, Dental equipment, Surgical equipment



430
P & S added for improved machining
Architectural applications (interior), Automotive trim, Cooking utensils, Food processing equipment



434
Mo added for improved corrosion resistance in auto trim
Automotive trim

Stainless Steel Properties

Most stainless steels have relatively high strength, good corrosion resistance and ductility. The differences are due to the structure and the different alloying elements used. Some general guidelines are:

A) 300 Series:
Excellent corrosion resistance
Typical strength (in the annealed condition) 85 ksi – tensile, 40 ksi – yield and 50% elongation
Cannot be heat treated but can be hardened by “cold working” (up to 185 ksi – tensile, 140 ksi – yield
Non-magnetic
Good high and low temperature mechanical properties
Can be polished to a bright mirror finish
B) “Non-Hardenable” 400 Series
Good corrosion resistance
Typical strength 65 - 75 ksi – tensile, 35 - 50 ksi – yield and elongation 20 - 35%
Magnetic
Limited temperature use
Can be polished
C) “Hardenable” 400 Series
Some adequate corrosion resistance
Hardenable by heat treatment
Magnetic
Somewhat limited temperature use
*The SSINA Designer Handbook “Design Guidelines for the Selection and Use of Stainless Steel” has more data on all the common stainless steels

Martensitic stainless steel

The name given to a structure that results when chromium (in the lower ranges 12 to 17%) and carbon (around 0.15%) is added to iron. This structure can be “heat treated” to high hardness levels and is sometimes called “hardenable stainless” 400 series of which 410, 420 and 440 (very high carbon levels between 0.60 and 1.20 %) are the most common.

Ferritic stainless steel

The name given to the structure that results when just chromium is added to iron with limited carbon content. The original designation for this structure is the “non-hardenable” 400 series, of which 409 and 430 are the most common.

Austenitic stainless steel

Austenitic stainless steel

The name given to a structure that has high ductility and consists of both chromium (15 to 30%) and nickel (6 to 20%). The original designation for this type of structure is the 300 series, sometimes called 18-8 or 18% chromium and 8% nickel, of which 304 and 316 are the major grades.

Stainless Steel Applications

Stainless steel is used in many everyday applications in the home, in industry, in hospitals, in food processing, in farming, in aerospace and in many other areas. This website is designed to acquaint the reader with some of the many uses of stainless steel.

Stainless steel is not just one alloy but a series of different compositions designed to provide specific properties and designed for different applications. There are over 150 different stainless steel grades, but about 15 or so are the most commonly used.

To be classified as a stainless steel, the material has to contain iron and must contain at least 10.5% chromium. Other alloying elements are added to increase the corrosion resistance, improve the fabrication properties, increase the high temperature performance, improve the machining characteristics, etc., which is why there are so many grades.