Selecting the right material for tubing and piping applications is extremely essential. Choosing the wrong kind of tubing can have adverse effects on the foundation of the structure built. When it comes to selecting a material for tubing applications one generally comes across numerous options. This can sometimes get overwhelming and confusing.
Selecting the right tubing material
Here are some points that an engineer should keep in mind while selecting a tubing material:
- Always have a clear idea of the needs and requirements before looking out for raw materials. Having a clear idea of the particular need will ease your task of choosing a material.
- Always be well aware of the conditions such as atmosphere, pollution, corrosive environment, weather conditions, etc. of the locality you are setting up your project in. Environmental factors cause trouble later on if it is not compatible with the material used.
- Always set a budget and spend accordingly. Know your requirements and figure out an estimated cost. Tally it with your inventory and always aim for profits. Choosing expensive and over-the-top material for simple applications makes no sense. It is completely foolish to use a pipe of grade 316 where a simple grade of the 200 series would do the work effortlessly.
- Know the limitations of the type of steel you are using. Do not overwork your material. Overworking increases the stress and load on the pipe causing it to weaken and crack. Thus, always be aware of the working specifications and limitations of the pipes purchased.
Here are some of the properties that often cause a dilemma, let us help you simplify that:
- Welded or Seamless?
This is one of the first questions that naturally pop up in the mind of an engineer while selecting a tube whether it should be welded or seamless. Initially, people believed that seamless pipes and tubes had greater strength and better qualities compared to welded pipes. Stainless Steel 304 Pipes & Tubes are produced by passing a billet through a hole with a set die and this process is taken place at high temperatures. Seamless pipes have no visible weld joints and this is believed that they won’t crack or corrode easily. Seamless pipes can withstand extreme conditions giving them a lead over welded pipes.
Welded pipes are formed by rolling a strip of steel and welding the joint. Over the years, with the advancement of technology, scientists and engineers have improvised the working conditions of welded pipes. They are a rather cheaper option thus bringing commercial advantage and economically friendly.
- Does the material fight off corrosion?
Stainless Steel pipes are known for their anti-rust and anti-corrosive features and properties. But do all the types of stainless steel pipes have the same amount of corrosion resistivity?
The answer is a simple NO! there are numerous grades of stainless steel and every grade has varying properties. Some are good at physical properties such as strength and fabrication whereas some are brilliant at corrosion resistance. Grades 304 and 316 should be the go-to choice for superior corrosion resistance. Engineers who require strength and corrosion resistance should explore duplex and super duplex grades of stainless steel.
- What are the temperature and pressure conditions?
Another very important factor that has serious after-effects on engineered projects is the negligence of the temperature tolerance and pressure rating of the material utilized. Always make sure to look out for the pressure ratings measured in psi. Pressure ratings help in giving an idea and making known the amount of pressure the tube can withstand. Checking the temperature range of the tubes and pipes helps in not only post-production application purposes, but also in knowing the heat and cold limitations of the pipes while welding them.
