What is thin wall stainless steel pipe?
A thin-wall stainless steel pipe is a specialized type of stainless steel pipe with a smaller thickness compared to its diameter or overall size. These pipes are designed to maintain the required strength and functionality while having thinner walls, making them suitable for various applications. They are available in different types, including austenitic stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, and nickel alloys. At Tuolian, we offer polished or bright annealed surfaces for our thin-wall stainless steel pipes, and we take pride in providing customized services, offering a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors to choose from.
Features of thin wall stainless steel pipe
Thin-wall stainless steel pipes offer several advantages that make them cost-effective and popular in numerous industries. They are exceptionally hard and lightweight while being environmentally friendly. The pipes exhibit good strength, high flexibility, and formability, making them ideal for architectural applications. Additionally, they boast general corrosion and high-temperature resistance, requiring low maintenance.
Where to use thin wall stainless steel pipe?
Thin-wall stainless steel pipes find extensive use in low-pressure, low-temperature, and high-sensitivity applications. They are commonly employed in condensers, automobiles, domestic electric appliances, nuclear power generation, bearing machining, and API services. These pipes are also favored for tools, equipment, and high-precision applications, such as heaters, chromatography, chemical circuits, heat exchangers, and chemical processing. Furthermore, they are utilized in building fuselages, tailplanes, wing struts, and marine and sea water applications.
Strict Testing
At Tuolian, we prioritize the quality of our thin-wall stainless steel pipes. To ensure top-notch performance, we subject our pipes to rigorous testing, including corrosion tests, flaring tests, flattening tests, hardness tests, mechanical and chemical tests, microstructure tests, as well as eddy current and ultrasonic tests. This commitment to quality ensures that our pipes meet the highest standards and deliver reliable performance in various demanding environments.
Thin Wall Stainless Steel Pipe Specifications
| Outside diameter | 0.5-168mm |
| Wall Thickness | 0.15-30mm |
| Length | Cut to length |
| Standard | ASTM A213, A249, A269, A312, SA 269, EN10216-5, EN10217-7, etc |
| Grade | 304/304L, 316Ti, 316/316L, 314, 321, 347H, 316LMod, 317L/N, 310S, 904L, 409L, 430, 430LX, 439L, 436L, 443CT |
| Additional service | cutting, drilling, flaring, flattening and machining. |
Welding thin-wall stainless steel pipe requires careful preparation and execution to avoid distortion, burn-through, and other welding defects. Here’s a general guide on how to weld thin-wall stainless steel pipes using the Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding process:
- Preparation:
– Clean the pipe and the surrounding area to remove any contaminants, oils, or dirt that could affect the welding quality.
– Ensure that the joint fit-up is accurate, with minimal gaps between the pipe edges to prevent excessive filler metal deposition.
– Choose the appropriate filler material that matches the base metal’s grade to maintain the desired properties in the weld.
- Setup:
– Select the correct TIG welding machine and set the appropriate parameters, including amperage and gas flow rate, based on the pipe’s thickness and material type.
– Use a high-frequency start to initiate the arc without touching the tungsten electrode to the workpiece, reducing the risk of contamination.
- Welding Technique:
– Employ a “walk-the-cup” or “freehand” technique, depending on your preference and the specific application. A walking motion helps distribute the heat evenly, reducing the risk of overheating.
– Maintain a consistent travel speed and keep the arc length constant throughout the weld to achieve a smooth and even bead.
- Control Heat Input:
– One of the primary challenges in welding thin-wall stainless steel pipes is avoiding excessive heat input, which can cause distortion and burn-through.
– Use the lowest possible amperage that still provides adequate penetration, and avoid holding the arc in one spot for too long.
- Back Purging:
– For pipes with critical applications or those that will carry corrosive substances, consider back purging the inside of the pipe with an inert gas (e.g., argon) to prevent oxidation on the backside of the weld. This improves the corrosion resistance of the weld.
– Back purging can be achieved by using a purge dam or inserting an inflatable purge balloon inside the pipe.
- Post-Welding Treatment:
– After completing the weld, let the pipe cool down slowly to reduce the risk of thermal stress and distortion.
– Inspect the weld for any defects, such as porosity, lack of fusion, or excessive penetration. Rectify any issues as needed.
- Final Cleaning:
– After welding, clean the weld area to remove any heat-affected zone contaminants or oxide layers that may have formed during the welding process.
It’s important to note that welding thin-wall stainless steel pipes requires skill and precision. If you’re not experienced in welding, consider seeking help from a professional welder to ensure a successful and high-quality weld. Additionally, always follow safety guidelines and wear appropriate protective gear while welding.
