Stainless Steel Pipe Supplier

Stainless steel offers an ideal material for fabricating piping systems. There are three main kinds of stainless steel. Austenitic stainless steels have the highest corrosion resistance but the lowest structural strength. Ferritic steels are less corrosion resistant as compared to the austenitic steels. However, they are also stronger. Martensitic steels are the strongest stainless steels available, but they have the weakest corrosion resistance. It is important to note that the hybrids of ferritic and austenitic steel are also increasingly common.

Stainless Steel Pipes

Types of corrosion-resistant stainless steel pipes include:

• Pressure pipes. Stainless steel pressure pipes are either ferritic or austenitic. This is because they have wide diameters to accommodate high temperatures and can be either seamless or welded.
• Hydraulic line pipes. Fuel line and hydraulic system pipes tend to have smaller diameters.  Also, they require high strength and are generally made from austenitic steel.
• Sanitary pipes. Pipes for industries such as food, medical, pharmaceutical, and water treatment must meet sanitary standards. This is because the stainless steel sanitary pipes are easy to clean and don’t tarnish.
• Mechanical pipes. These pipes are used for bearings, cylinders, and other hollow parts. Furthermore, they are available in a variety of shapes, including cylindrical, square, and rectangular.

Stainless steel pipes and tubes are different and suit different use cases. When compared to tubes, pipes have both advantages and disadvantages.

• Pros. Pipes cost less than tubes and can be made more quickly. The nominal outside diameter sizing system measures standard pipe sizes.
• Cons. Pipe joints generally bend at 45° or 90° angles, and these sharp turns add turbulence to the fluid flow. Furthermore, pipes also rely on relatively low-tech connecting and sealing techniques, which increases the chance of leaks.

Stainless steel pipes are useful in a variety of industries and applications, including:

• Appliances
• Furniture
• Food processing
• Grab bars
• Handrails
• Medical equipment
• Pharmaceutical equipment
• Restaurant equipment
• Structural applications

Stainless Steel Pipes vs. Tubes

Pipes don’t come in standardized sizes, but they do come in a wide range of shapes. Both pipes and tubes carry fluid and the terms are often used interchangeably because they are similar enough. However, there are significant differences between pipes and tubes:

• Pipe sizing focuses on the pipe’s capacity and interior diameter. Standard pipe sizes are measured using the nominal outside diameter sizing system.
• Tube sizing is more concerned with structural strength, so tubes are measured based on their actual outside diameter and not the nominal outside diameter. This is especially important for applications that require narrow, precise widths, such as hypodermic tubing.

Stainless Steel Pipes From Stainless Shapes, Inc.

At Stainless Shapes, Inc., we offer stainless steel pipes in a range of grades. Additionally, some of our most common stainless steel pipe solutions include:

• Seamless Pipe. The pipe is created by piercing the metal through the center to ensure the outer diameter has no weak points.Applications where pipes are exposed to corrosive media are best for this type of pipe.

   

• Welded Pipe. Welded pipes are ideal for applications that require very long sections of pipe.

About Stainless Shapes, Inc.

Stainless Shapes, Inc. is a lead supplier of stainless steel tubes and pipes. We have 25 years of experience providing competitive prices, fast delivery, and top-notch customer service. 

Stainless Shapes is ISO certified, and our metal distribution industry affiliations include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Welding Society, the Association of Steel Distributors, and the FMA Tube and Pipe Association.

We have sales offices in Illinois and Florida and the capacity to ship anywhere in the United States. We specialize in hard-to-locate and custom items—if we don’t have it or can’t create it, we’ll find it for you.

To find out more or request a quote, contact our Florida or Illinois offices today. We look forward to working with you!