Knowing the type of fluid or paste that is going to carry the pipe is essential to choosing the appropriate alloy since there are many grades of stainless steel, depending on the percentages of chromium, nickel, and molybdenum that they contribute to the material (304L, 316L, 304H, 321, 316Ti, 2205, 2507).

Stainless Steel Sheet suppliers in India considers temperature (there are specific alloys for extreme temperatures, such as refractory stainless steel) and pressure (if it is very high, the tube must be seamless and thicker).  In addition to all this, it is important to know the commercial range available since the market offers a wide variety of diameters, thicknesses, and finishes.

It is also necessary to consider the type of industrial process in which the pipe is implemented. In certain industries, even the external environment influences the possible corrosion of the elements to the point that it can appear on the pipe’s surface and not inside it.

Importance of steel and its alloys in manufacturing

• Oil & Gas

The oil industry includes exploration, extraction, refining, and transportation. Offshore platforms located offshore require special alloys such as Duplex (2205), Super duplex (2507), IS 2062 Grade B Plate, Hastelloy (C276, C22), Inconell… These grades are characterized by being especially resistant to oxidation at high temperatures and withstanding with guarantees the corrosion caused by the high saline concentration of the sea.

• Food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industry

The manufacturing standard required in this sector is DIN 11850, which has very specific specifications regarding diameters, thicknesses, and, above all, finishes. For this type of application, hygiene and health conditions are more demanding due to the product’s final destination. However, corrosion in the manufacturing process is not as important as in the previously described sectors. API 5L Grade B Pipe suppliers in India is best for choosing pipes from a wide range.

Generally, for pipes, grades 1.4307 (304L) and 1.4404 (316L) are used in standard thicknesses (1, 1.5, and 2 mm). It is very common that, in this case, the pipes are polished externally and even internally.

• Manufacture of capital goods

Heat exchangers, greasing or dosing stations, pressure vessels, reactors, mixers, dryers, and any other type of element linked to the industrial process. Each piece of equipment has its particularities, so it is impossible to generalize the type of pipe or the grade to be applied. Each element is designed with specific specifications, meaning that a certain type of alloy is used in each case. The same occurs concerning the definition of diameters or thicknesses.

It is essential to select the most suitable grade of stainless steel for each application to optimize its adaptation and resistance. And both to the environment and to the conduction of the fluid for which it are intended. In most cases, it will be an engineering company that will define the required specifications. If this is not the case, the installer will have to analyze all these factors to select the most appropriate alloy.