Stainless steel is one of the most versatile materials used across various industries. It serves various applications from automobiles, healthcare, kitchen products, and the construction industry. Stainless steel is an iron-based corrosion-resistant alloy containing at least 10.5% chromium content and 1.2% or less carbon. The chromium combines with the atmospheric oxygen to form the passive chromic-oxide layer, enabling stainless steel to resist corrosion. It enjoys a ubiquitous market presence because of its excellent corrosion resistance, high toughness, flexibility, and easy maintenance.
The popular benefits of stainless steel tube include:
Stain and corrosion resistant
Metal piping is susceptible to corrosion. The outer surface may suffer degradation due to soil and UV light. Abrasion or accumulation of debris tends to affect its interior lining. However, one can avoid such circumstances with stainless steel. The corrosion resistance properties of stainless steel give it an edge against carbon and low alloy steel. It is unlikely to leach into the water. The stainless steel’s metal contamination rate is nearly nonexistent.
Appealing appearance
Stainless steel has an attractive appearance. It looks bright and lustrous, and it provides a modern and attractive look to the environment in which you install it. It ascribes a modern, sleek décor with its perfectly done sleek surface finish. It can add to the decorative aesthetic of the location as compared to their non-steel counterparts.
Smaller pipes
Manufacturers can easily design stainless steel for small-diameter applications that require high strength and corrosion resistance. As compared to other materials, stainless steel has a much higher mass flow rate per diameter. Thus, it provides you with a cost-saving opportunity without compromising the flow rate.
Eco-friendly
Stainless steel is highly eco-friendly. It is a fantastic green material as it is 100 percent recyclable. You can easily repurpose or remanufacture stainless steel repeatedly, leading to lower waste generation at landfills or other disposal sites. It also results in less depletion of our natural environment. The production of stainless steel also does not release toxic run-off. It is thus one of the most environment-friendly materials.
Cost-efficiency
Stainless steel provides you with cost-saving opportunities. Stainless steel does not require additional coating for both indoor and outdoor applications. Moreover, it requires low maintenance. It has a much longer shelf life, more than 50 years. The upkeep of stainless steel is not so demanding. It significantly helps to reduce downtime, maintenance, and replacement costs during its lifecycle. All of these factors contribute to cost savings.
Material Benefits
The combination of corrosion resistance with high strength helps in reducing the stainless steel’s wall thickness and weight. It can effectively resist heat and chemical damage. Stainless steel has the enhanced capacity to withstand extremely high flow rates- over 40m/s. Thus, it can endure long-term exposure to these conditions in most environment types.
Versatility
It helps in enhancing its properties. One can add different materials to stainless steel, such as nickel, molybdenum, or nitrogen. Thus, it can have thinner pipe walls and less material, resulting in less added weight to the finished product.
To Conclude:
These are the various valuable benefits of stainless steel. Its versatility and durability make it a prized material for various commercial and industrial applications.