Tubing has a wide variety of applications and is in use across different industries. One of the biggest factors that needs to be considered when selecting tubing, is the material. Stainless steel tubing is applied on a variety of different applications, in both complex and simple machinery across several industries. (Information credit: https://www.eurosteel.co.za/stainless-steel/ornamental-tubing/)
The three most common types of materials chosen for tubing are carbon steel, stainless steel and copper tubing. Each of them has their set of advantages to bring to the table, which we will be looking at in the section below.
Carbon Steel Tubings:
Carbon steel is a type of steel alloy, composed of iron and carbon. Carbon steel is used extensively, especially in rich, industrial countries, accounting for almost 85% of the total steel used. For newcomers in the industry, understanding how carbon content affects steel is challenge. Adding more carbon to the steel would increase hardness and strength. On the other hand, increasing carbon content would result in more brittleness and makes is more difficult to welding. Thus, it needs a lot of calculation when considering carbon steel.
Carbon steel is extensively used in building applications that require a flow of gas, fuel or other types of liquid. They are categorised according to their manufacturing process. They either use cold drawing or hot finishing to complete the manufacturing process. Because of this, they are available in different types, such as hot finished seamless tubing, single-wall carbon steel tubing, double wall carbon steel tubing and hot finished seamless tubing.
Stainless Steel Tubing:
Stainless Steel is probably the most used steel on this list, characterised by a brilliant shine due to the chromium content. It has unique properties that do not allow them easily to corrode, rust, or stain while working with water. However, contrary to its name, it is not stain-proof, and fairs badly in environments with low oxygen, high salinity or poor circulation.
When it comes to using stainless steel tubing, two grades of stainless steel, notably 304 and 316 are normally used. Both of those grades are known for their superior corrosion resistance and heat resistance, as compared to other chromium-nickel steels. It is especially resistant against chemical corrodents such as saline water and brine solutions.
Stainless Steel Square Tubing are the most common types of stainless steel tubing in use. It is used extensively in work environments involving sulfuric acid, chlorides, bromides, iodides, fatty acids and extreme temperature.
Aluminium Tubing:
Aluminium Tubing are used in leak proof systems because of their corrosion resistant qualities. One of the main reasons for this is the inherent characteristics of aluminium, which allows it to generate a thin, protective oxide coating, protecting the metal from further contact with the environment.
One of the reasons why aluminium has an advantage over Steel is its strength at extremely low temperatures. It increases its tensile strength as temperatures drop as opposed to steel which becomes brittle at lower temperatures.
Aluminium tubing is used extensively in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
How to select the Material?
After evaluating the pros and cons of each of the materials, the purpose or the application of the tubing should be considered first. The selection should depend on the following process conditions such as:
This will also depend on the industry it is being used for. For example, in Cryogenics, temperatures tend to be lower when compared to a food processing plant.
Even though all three materials have been proven to be effective in extreme conditions, they are not interchangeable. Additionally, some other factors should also be taken into consideration, some of which are given below.
The final decision should be made after much consideration. Choosing the material from an accredited and reputed supplier will ensure that you receive good quality materials that will prove to be long lasting. A single market search will yield the best options for you in your area.
