Stainless Steel Pipe Supplier Stainless Shapes offers a wide variety of grades in stainless pipes. Food and Dairy Processing, Furniture, Grab Bars, Handrails, Medical Equipment Tubing, Oven and Refrigerator Door Handles, Pharmaceutical, Restaurant Equipment, and Structural Applications all use Stainless and Alloy pipes. However, if you are sure what you are looking for? Contact us. Additionally, as one of the most experienced and trusted stainless steel pipe suppliers, we will provide quick delivery and competitive prices. What is a Stainless Steel Pipe? Stainless steel pipes are a type of pipe made from stainless steel, a corrosion-resistant alloy primarily composed of iron, chromium, nickel, and sometimes other elements such as molybdenum. Stainless steel pipes are widely used in various industries due to their excellent corrosion resistance, durability, and ability to withstand high temperatures and pressures. Types of Piping Offered Seamless Pipe – These are formed when drawing the billet over a piercing rod to hollow out the shell. By piercing the metal through the center, you never create any structural deficiency because it never loses that integrity and never diminishes the hull. Welded Pipe – By rolling the plates and connecting them together, the welded pipes are made. This process can be necessary. Especially if there is a requirement for extremely long pieces of pipe. Comparing the Two – Jobs with excess corrosive materials, one might prefer seamless pipes. Furthermore, the welded pipes are able to match seamless pipes in all manners, but the welding can be more vulnerable to corrosive erosion when compared to stainless steel tubing. Stainless Steel Pipes Finishes Mill Finish – This is the standard finish for stainless steel pipes. 180 – 180 grit is known as brushed or satin finish, and is the most common polished finish. Moreover, the 180 grit is typically circumferential. We usually complete the polish by belt or wheel. In addition, polishing the grit lines of stainless steel pipes in a uniform and directional appearance. 240 – This is also called the dairy or sanitary finish. When you use a 240 grit belt, you can buff out the ridges in a way that bacteria cannot grow in the crevices. For example, these are often seen as the surfaces of stainless steel pipes used for food service industries. 320 – Also known as the #7 finish, this creates a bright appearance with minimum haze on the stainless steel pipe. These are buffed before, known as a flawless buff. For this reason. This will create a mirror finish with minor reflections in the metal. Buffed – The brightest shine possible for our stainless steel pipes with some mirror reflections. However, the elements are unclear. Mirror Buffed – This is buffed to such an extent that you can see a mirror reflection through the stainless steel pipes and fittings. 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 before ordering from your stainless steel pipe suppliers. Stainless Steel Pipes The substantial benefits of stainless steel pipe products allow us to offer our clients a variety of stainless steel pipe options with confidence. The goal is to be your one-stop shop for all your stainless steel needs. Types of corrosion-resistant stainless steel pipes and fittings 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. Stainless steel 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 stainless steel 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 Our line of stainless steel 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. Choose Stainless Shapes to Fulfill Your Stainless Steel Pipe Needs With the multiple uses of stainless steel pipes and fittings, working with quality stainless steel pipe suppliers is highly recommended. Stainless Shapes has been in the industry for decades, allowing us to be your partner for all your stainless steel pipe needs. Contact us today to learn more about our product line, which consists of stainless steel and other alloy materials. Speak to one of our sales representatives and request a quote, and we’ll help you find the best stainless steel pipe solution for your projects! 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! METAL WEIGHT ID & WALL METAL WEIGHT CALCULATOR Select Your Metal: 15-5 PH Stainless Steel 17-4 PH Stainless Steel Stainless 300 Series Stainless 400 Series Nickel 200 Nickel 201 Nickel 400 Nickel 600 Nickel 625 Nickel 718 Nickel X750 Nickel 800 Nickel 800H Nickel 825 Nickel 904L Titanium Monel Nitronic Select a Shape: Round Bar Square Bar Flat Bar Sheet Plate Circle Ring Hexagon Bar Round Tubing Square Tubing Rectangular Tubing Number of Pieces: Enter size information: in ft in ft in ft in ft Calculated Weights Approx. weight in lbs* *These weights should be used for estimation purposes only. Plate weight does not allow for kerf. Calculator to get ID from OD and Wall of stainless steel tube OD: Wall: ID Calculated Calculator to get Wall from OD and ID of stainless steel tube OD: ID: Wall Calculated *These results should be used for estimation purposes only. Contact us now! Whether you need a few feet or full truckloads, StainlessShapes.net delivers quality 304 stainless I beams. Standard and custom sizes available with fast shipping across the U.S. and expert service and quotes in under 24 hours. Δ Furthermore, for a prompt and accurate quote, call us today. Call - 800-748-9811 Frequently Asked Questions Why isn't stainless steel used more in plumbing? + Stainless steel is used extensively in industrial plumbing, food processing, chemical processing, and pharmaceutical piping systems. In residential plumbing, it is less common primarily due to cost—copper and PEX are less expensive for domestic hot and cold water. However, stainless steel piping is growing in use for water mains in corrosive soil conditions and in countries with strict water quality standards. Is stainless steel pipe safe for drinking water? + Yes, stainless steel pipe is fully safe for drinking water. It does not leach harmful substances at normal service temperatures, does not support bacterial growth as readily as some plastics, and does not affect taste or odor. Both 304 and 316 stainless steel are approved for potable water contact. 316 is preferred where higher chloride resistance is needed, such as coastal water systems. Is stainless steel good for pipes? + Stainless steel is an excellent pipe material for industrial, food processing, pharmaceutical, chemical, and marine applications. It resists corrosion in a wide range of aggressive environments, is easy to clean and maintain, can withstand high temperatures and pressures, and has a long service life with minimal maintenance. Stainless Shapes distributes stainless steel pipe in standard and specialty grades. Which is better, 304 or 316 stainless steel for pipes? + For most indoor and mildly corrosive environments, 304 stainless steel pipe is the economical choice. For marine, coastal, chemical, or food-processing environments with chloride or aggressive media, 316 is the correct specification—its molybdenum content provides significantly better pitting and crevice corrosion resistance. In pharmaceutical applications, 316L (low carbon) is specified to minimize carbide precipitation during welding. What grades of stainless steel are available in pipe? + Stainless Shapes distributes stainless steel pipe primarily in grades 304, 304L, 316, and 316L. Specialty grades including 321 (titanium-stabilized, for high-temperature service) and 347 are also available for elevated-temperature applications. Nitronic grades and duplex stainless pipe can be sourced for more demanding applications. What is the difference between stainless steel pipe schedules? + Pipe schedule refers to wall thickness relative to the nominal pipe size. Common schedules include Schedule 5, Schedule 10, Schedule 40, and Schedule 80. Schedule 40 is a standard wall thickness for most applications; Schedule 10 is thinner and used for low-pressure applications; Schedule 80 has a heavier wall for higher pressure or mechanical strength requirements. Higher schedule numbers mean thicker walls and higher pressure ratings. Can stainless steel pipes be used for high-temperature applications? + Yes, stainless steel pipe performs well at elevated temperatures. Grade 321 (stabilized with titanium) and 347 (stabilized with niobium) are specifically designed for continuous high-temperature service and resist sensitization (carbide precipitation) at temperatures above 800°F. Standard 304 can be used up to about 1650°F intermittently; 316 handles similar ranges. Consult material specifications for exact temperature limits. What are the main uses for stainless steel pipe? + Stainless steel pipe is used in chemical and petrochemical processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, food and beverage production, pulp and paper, water treatment, marine and offshore applications, heat exchangers, and sanitary piping systems. Its combination of corrosion resistance, strength, and hygienic surface makes it suitable for demanding process industries. How long does stainless steel pipe last? + In the right environment, stainless steel pipe can last 30–100+ years with minimal maintenance. Sanitary stainless piping systems in food and pharmaceutical plants often last the life of the facility. The key factors are grade selection (304 vs. 316 vs. higher alloy), design of joints, and maintenance of the passive layer through proper cleaning. What should I never use on stainless steel pipes? + Avoid muriatic acid, bleach, and concentrated chloride-containing cleaners on stainless steel pipe. These agents attack the passive oxide layer and cause pitting corrosion. Also avoid using carbon steel wire brushes—embedded carbon steel particles will cause rust spots on the stainless surface. Use dedicated stainless steel cleaning products and non-chloride-based solutions.
