Stainless steel is a versatile material comprised of a steel alloy and a small percentage of chromium—the addition of chromium adds to the material’s corrosion resistance, a trait that earned stainless steel its name. Because stainless steel is also low-maintenance, oxidation resistant, and doesn’t affect other metals it comes in contact with, it is frequently used in a large array of applications, especially in piping and tubing manufacturing.
The last decades have witnessed a rapid development of the manufacturing and production of stainless steel pipe (German word: edelstahlrohre) and tubes. Pipes make up the largest individual segment in the stainless steel market world over and it is one of the fastest growing serving the needs of the oil, petrochemical, refinery and process related industries. Produced by continuous pipe manufacturing method and sufficient solution heat treatment, it is used for anti-corrosion, high temperature, low temperature and ultra low temperature purposes.
Based on the end use of the pipe, stainless steel piping is broken down into several categories:
- Stainless Steel Piping: stainless steel pipe (German word: edelstahlrohre) and tubes are sometimes difficult to classify, and tend to be distinguished based on function. In addition to these classifications, stainless steel is also distinguished by type and grade. For tubing and piping applications, type 304 stainless steel is a common selection because it is highly chemical and corrosion-resistant.
- Stainless Steel Tubing for General Corrosion-Resistance: This general category of steel is appropriate for applications that require corrosion resistance above other traits. Ferritic or martensitic types of steel (those made with the most chromium) are manufactured to be either heat-treated or annealed. Austenitic Stainless steels (those with high chromium and nickel contents) offer even more resistance, and can be used under the same general conditions as ferritic and martensitic types.
- Stainless Steel Pressure Pipe: This type of stainless steel pipe is made from either solid chromium or a chromium and nickel combination. Types of stainless steel pressure pipe include seamless and welded pipe, electric fusion welded pipe for high-pressure applications, large diameter welded pipe for corrosive or high-temperature applications, and seamless and welded ferritic and austenitic stainless steel pipe.
- Stainless Steel Sanitary Tubing: For applications where stainless steel tubing or piping must come into contact with food and other sensitive products, sanitation is a high priority. Stainless steel sanitary tubing is used in such applications because it has high corrosion-resistance, doesn’t tarnish, and is easy to keep clean.
Die letzten Jahrzehnte haben eine rasante Entwicklung der Produktion und Herstellung von Edelstahl-Rohre erlebt. Pipes sind die größte einzelne Segment in der Edelstahl-Markt weltweit und es ist eines der am schnellsten wachsenden, den Bedürfnissen der Öl-, Petrochemie-, Raffinerie-und Prozess-verwandte Industriezweige.