When thinking of pipes, have you ever faced a head-scratching moment when thinking about safety, durability, and strength? Well, there are several solutions to that. One of them is using a 321 stainless steel tube.
By itself, stainless steel is not a naturally occurring metal. It is an alloy of chromium and iron as the main element. Chromium plays a vital role in reducing corrosion.
Increasing the percentage of chromium translates to increased resistance to corrosion. Other elements that are included in the alloy are molybdenum, nickel, manganese, silicon, and carbon. It is vital noting that these elements are added in varying proportions depending on the desired end product.
Applications
Stainless steel tubes are not restricted to round shapes. They can be oval, flat, and even rectangular-shaped and It all depends on the intended use. However, it is imperative noting that tubes are usually available in varying grades such as the 321 stainless steel tube. The following are some of the applications of stainless steel tubes.
- The auto industry
Ever came across a rumbling car? If you have, chances are the muffler was made out of a stainless steel tube. Car mufflers are in most cases located under the vehicles, and this makes them vulnerable to the elements. Corrosion occurs when oxygen reacts with metals to form an oxide.
If wrong metal materials are used, corrosion can prove to be an expensive affair if car exhaust systems are anything to go by.
- Production lines
Since the invention of the production line, more products can get to the consumers within a record time. However, it is imperative having in mind that improper handling of some products during manufacturing can result in some illnesses or the goods going bad.
To write-off the possibilities of such eventualities, some safety measures must be met. Milk, water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and other liquids need handling with maximum safety in mind. And one of the best ways of achieving that is by using stainless steel tubes when transferring fluids between vessels.
- Gas lines
Since its discovery, the domestic or cooking gas has proved to be a valuable commodity over the years. Whether at home or in a commercial kitchen, you don’t want to take chances when handling this commodity. The most suitable method of getting it to your burner(s) is through stainless steel piping.
Why preferably stainless steel over other metals? Over time other metal may be susceptible to corrosion which can prove costly and sometimes undetectable if the corrosion occurs from the inside.
- Construction
Stainless steel tubes are also used in construction. Their strength can be instrumental when considering a building’s stability. It is also vital noting that using piping with a low resistance to corrosion in buildings can prove costly when doing repairs
Stainless steel tubes offer the best resistance to corrosion and especially from inside the pipes.
Summary
The applications of stainless steel tubing are vast. From the uses mentioned above, three things are evident. They keep corrosion away, maintain safety, and don’t subject you to losses. They come in various specifications, and one such example is the 321 stainless steel tube.