The Benefits and Application of Steel Pipes

The Benefits and Application of Steel Pipes

The Benefits and Application of Steel Pipes

    Steel pipes have various advantages for your next industrial or residential project. Steel tubing is used in a variety of industries, from industrial manufacturing to sculpture. One of the applications for steel tube is in plumbing, where it is used to replace traditional plastic pipes with stainless steel pipes. Stainless steel piping is more expensive than plastic piping, but it has a number of advantages over the latter. Steel pipe buyers consider these advantages - 

    ANTI-STAIN AND ANTI-CORROSION

    Corrosion is the number one adversary of metal piping. The exterior of iron, steel and concrete pipework will deteriorate due to soil and UV rays. Other types of piping inside walls appear to rust, become damaged by abrasion, or accumulate debris. However, due to corrosion resistance of stainless steel, this happens rarely. This gives stainless steel an advantage in areas such as sanitary water distribution and hospital applications.

    VALUE

    When you buy stainless steel 316 pipes, you're getting a durable product that will last for decades. It is a long-lasting substance that is simple to maintain and install. Because of its corrosion-resistant qualities, stainless steel is low-maintenance and unlikely to need to be replaced for decades.

    STABILITY AND ADAPTABILITY

    Stainless steel can be treated with various elements such as molybdenum, nickel, or nitrogen to improve its corrosion resistance. Stainless steel can endure high temperatures. By adding various materials to stainless steel, thin pipe walls can be achieved, resulting in a lighter finished product that is suited for a wide range of commercial and industrial applications.

    ATTRACTIVENESS

    Exposed stainless steel pipes and fittings are a good choice for commercial premises because the material is naturally bright and attractive.

    ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY

    Stainless steel is not a petroleum-based product. Unlike other pipe materials, it does not require any type of coating or lining. When you require disposing of or repairing stainless steel piping, it is 100% recyclable, reducing the environmental impact.

    Steel, like iron, has helped building in particular since it is a more practical alternative to other metals. Steel plate is corrosion-resistant, making it more long-lasting and cost-effective. It also means that, because they can survive them, these pipes can be used in regions that are constantly exposed to the elements.

    Steel pipes can be used for a variety of purposes.

    DOMESTIC BUSINESS

    Stainless steel 304 pipes are a popular choice in many homes since they are more durable, which means you won't have to replace them every few seasons. Any plumber would recommend stainless steel pipe for your tub, tap, and the rest of the structure, especially exposed pipes, because it is more resistant to the elements. They're also thought to be hardier.

    INDUSTRY OF MEDICINE

    If doctors use it, it must be safe, therefore that's another steel tick. Steel pipes have been utilized for everything in the medical field, including shattered bones, medical equipment, surgical tools, dental treatments, and even pharmaceutical assistance. Steel's versatility is a testament to its durability, protection, and adaptability.

    INDUSTRY OF CONSTRUCTION

    This is one of the most obvious uses for steel pipes. They are preferred by many construction companies because they are both pliable and sturdy. Steel round bar and pipes are utilized as building piles when the soil is too thin to support the weight of big structures. The structure itself, as well as its architectural style, are frequently included. In fact, construction companies are one of the major steel pipe buyers. 

    Steel pipes are frequently used in the construction of ships, oil refineries, and even space stations, and they are housed in a shipyard. Carbon steel pipes are a good choice for building on the ground, in the ocean, or in space.

    Selecting pipe and piping materials involves many factors. Designers should approach these decisions and identify strengths and weaknesses of various pipe materials and connection methods.

    Basic material properties

    Steel is strong, rigid, and has a low coefficient of thermal expansion. It is also heavy (multiple workers may be needed to transport it) and is subject to corrosion. Sometimes it is called carbon section bar steel or black steel to differentiate from stainless and galvanized carbon steel. All steel, by definition, contains carbon, such as carbon steel plate.

    Steel often is used for closed hydronic systems because it is inexpensive, especially when compared with other materials in systems with high pressures, and corrosion is relatively easily controlled in these systems. It also is a good choice for steam and steam-condensate systems because it handles high temperatures and pressures well, and corrosion is normally not an issue in steam pipes. However, corrosion is an issue in steam-condensate pipes, and many engineers specify schedule 80 steel pipe simply because it takes about twice as long to rust through as schedule 40 pipe.

    If amines (commonly cyclohexylamine, morpholine, or diethylethanolamine (DEAE) are fed properly to neutralize condensate pipe pH, condensate pipes can last the life of the building. Some building owners do not want these chemicals in steam that may be used for humidification because of health concerns; however, not using these amines might require a change to stainless steel (SS) piping or adding a separate “clean steam” system for humidification and for sterilization of medical instruments.

    Rigidity is important because it determines the distance between hangers. Steel pipe is manufactured in 21-ft lengths, and the hangers can be spaced that widely for large-diameter pipe. More flexible materials, however, may require hangers on as close as 4-ft centers or even continuously. Consult ANSI/MSS SP-58: Pipe Hangers and Supports – Materials, Design, Manufacture, Selection, Application, and Installation for details about hangers and hanger spacing.

    A low coefficient of thermal expansion minimizes the need for expansion loops and expansion joints. However, the high rigidity of steel means that although it expands less, it exerts very high forces on anchors.

    Galvanized steel pipe is stainless steel plate and pipe that is dipped into a pool of zinc (see Figure 1). Galvanizing has two methods of corrosion reduction:

    It coats the surface like paint, and under most circumstances it forms a very adherent oxide layer like aluminum and SS.

    It provides a sacrificial anode (zinc) to receive corrosion instead of the steel corroding.

    Galvanized steel pipe has all the advantages of steel pipe, plus improved corrosion resistance in most environments, although at a slightly higher cost. Galvanizing works almost perfectly in applications where it is wetted and dried periodically (e.g., road signs and guard rails). It can fail in environments with high sodium (e.g., softened water that started out very hard) because the sodium makes the adherent oxide film detach and react more like steel pipe where the oxide flakes off. If galvanized pipe is being welded, the welder needs to be careful to grind down to the raw steel. Repairing galvanizing on the inside of the pipe is difficult or impossible. If the interior needs a continuous galvanized layer, consider mechanical couplings. (More information is available via the American Galvanizers Association.)

    Stainless steel pipe is widely considered to be resistant to all corrosion. This is true in many circumstances, but not all. Anaerobic and chloride corrosion can affect SS. The most common alloy is 304 SS, which adds 18% chromium and 8% nickel to steel. 304L has reduced carbon content to minimize the tendency for SS to corrode at welds. SS with the L designation is recommended for all SS that will be welded and might have corrosion issues, like fume exhaust and some pipe systems. 316 and 316L add molybdenum to reduce susceptibility to chlorides.