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Stainless steel thin-wall tubes are specialized tubular products engineered for applications requiring a high strength-to-weight ratio, precise dimensional control, and exceptional surface finish. Defined by an outer diameter (OD) to wall thickness ratio exceeding 20:1, these tubes combine the corrosion resistance of stainless steel with the structural efficiency of thin-wall design. Manufactured via cold drawing—a process that enhances mechanical properties through plastic deformation—they exhibit uniform wall thickness, minimal dimensional tolerance, and superior surface quality.
The cold-drawing process involves pulling heated billets through dies to achieve precise dimensions, resulting in tubes with tight OD/ID tolerances and reduced surface roughness. This method eliminates the need for post-fabrication machining in many applications, saving both time and cost. Stainless steel alloys used in thin-wall tubes—including austenitic (e.g., 304, 316L), duplex (e.g., S32205), and nickel-based (e.g., N08020)—offer varying levels of corrosion resistance, temperature tolerance, and mechanical strength, making them versatile for diverse industrial needs.
Thin-wall tubes stand out for their ability to withstand high internal pressure while minimizing material usage, making them ideal for applications where weight reduction is critical. Their smooth internal surfaces reduce fluid friction, enhancing flow efficiency in pipelines, while polished exteriors meet hygienic standards for medical and food processing. The combination of corrosion resistance, dimensional precision, and formability positions stainless steel thin-wall tubes as a preferred choice in industries demanding reliability and performance.
Austenitic Stainless Steels:
304/304L: General-purpose corrosion resistance, suitable for mild chemicals and food contact.
316/316L: Enhanced resistance to chlorides and seawater, ideal for marine and pharmaceutical applications.
310S: High-temperature resistance up to 1200°C, used in furnace components.
Duplex Stainless Steels:
S32205 (2205): Balanced strength and corrosion resistance for oil & gas and marine environments.
S32750 (2507): Super duplex grade for extreme corrosion resistance in offshore and chemical processing.
Nickel Alloys:
N08020 (Alloy 20): Sulfuric acid resistance for chemical processing.
N06625 (Inconel 625): High-temperature strength and corrosion resistance for aerospace and nuclear applications.
Outer Diameter (OD): 6 mm to 219 mm (0.24" to 8.62")
Wall Thickness: 0.5 mm to 3 mm (0.02" to 0.12")
Note: OD-to-thickness ratio ≥20:1 defines thin-wall classification
Length:
Straight lengths: Up to 18 meters (standard: 6 meters)
Cut-to-length: Customized to ±1 mm tolerance for specific applications
| Parameter | Tolerance (mm) |
|---|---|
| Outer Diameter | ±0.05 (for OD ≤10 mm) |
| ±0.5% (for OD >10 mm) | |
| Wall Thickness | ±0.03 (for thickness ≤1 mm) |
| ±3% (for thickness >1 mm) | |
| Length | ±10 mm (for lengths ≤6 m) |
| ±0.15% (for lengths >6 m) |
| Property | Austenitic (316L) | Duplex (2205) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥515 MPa (75 ksi) | ≥655 MPa (95 ksi) |
| Yield Strength | ≥205 MPa (30 ksi) | ≥450 MPa (65 ksi) |
| Elongation | ≥40% | ≥25% |
| Hardness (HBW) | ≤217 | ≤290 |
Standard:
Pickled & Annealed: Ra ≤1.6 μm (removes scale, ideal for general corrosion resistance)
Optional:
Bright Annealed: Ra ≤0.8 μm (lustrous surface, minimal oxidation)
Polished: Ra ≤0.4 μm (hygienic finish for medical/food applications)
Electropolished: Ra ≤0.2 μm (ultra-smooth surface for critical fluid systems)
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT):
Eddy Current (ET): 100% inspection for surface and sub-surface defects
Ultrasonic (UT): Thickness measurement and internal flaw detection
Destructive Testing:
Tensile Test: Ensures mechanical property compliance
Flattening Test: Verifies formability without cracking
Flaring Test: Checks ductility at tube ends
Certifications:
Mill Test Certificates (MTC) per EN 10204 3.1/3.2
ASTM/ASME compliance (e.g., ASTM A213, A312)
Third-party inspection (e.g., Lloyd’s, DNV) available upon request
Hydraulic Systems: Thin-wall 316L tubes for aircraft hydraulic lines, offering high pressure resistance (up to 300 bar) with minimal weight.
Engine Components: Heat-resistant 310S tubes for exhaust systems and combustion chambers.
Lightweight Structures: 304 tubes in aircraft interiors and fuel lines, combining corrosion resistance with low density.
Surgical Instruments: Polished 316L tubes for endoscopes, catheters, and laparoscopic tools, meeting ISO 13485 hygiene standards.
Implantable Devices: Electropolished tubes for stents and orthopedic implants, ensuring biocompatibility.
Medical Equipment: Sanitary tubing for dialysis machines and pharmaceutical fluid handling.
Heat Exchangers: Duplex 2205 tubes in condenser systems, resisting chloride stress corrosion in seawater-cooled reactors.
Instrumentation Tubing: 316L tubes for nuclear gauge lines and control systems, meeting ASME Section III standards.
Waste Handling: Corrosion-resistant tubes for radioactive liquid transport and storage.
Process Piping: Alloy 20 tubes for sulfuric acid transport, 316L for chloride-based chemicals.
Refinery Equipment: Thin-wall heat exchanger tubes in crude oil distillation units, optimizing heat transfer efficiency.
Offshore Platforms: Duplex 2507 tubes for seawater injection systems, withstanding high salinity and pressure.
Brewing & Distillation: Polished 304 tubes for beer/wine processing, meeting 3-A Sanitary Standards.
Dairy Equipment: Electropolished 316L tubes in pasteurization systems, preventing bacterial contamination.
Packaging Machinery: Precision tubes for pneumatic controls and conveyor systems.
Ultra-Pure Fluid Lines: 316L/316LN tubes with electro-polished surfaces for deionized water and chemical delivery in chip manufacturing.
Vacuum Systems: Leak-tight 304 tubes for semiconductor deposition chambers, maintaining high vacuum integrity.
A: Thin-wall tubes offer a 30-50% weight reduction compared to standard pipes while maintaining structural integrity, making them ideal for applications where weight is critical (e.g., aerospace, medical devices). Their high strength-to-weight ratio also reduces material costs.
A: Yes, but precision welding techniques (e.g., TIG with low heat input) are recommended. Post-weld annealing may be required to restore ductility, especially for high-strength alloys like duplex stainless steels.
A: The minimum wall thickness is 0.5 mm, but this depends on the outer diameter. For example, a 6 mm OD tube can have a 0.5 mm wall (ratio 12:1), while larger ODs (e.g., 100 mm) can achieve thinner walls (e.g., 3 mm, ratio 33:1).
A: Dimensional precision and material strength are critical. For high external pressure applications, we recommend duplex alloys (e.g., 2205) for their higher yield strength, or structural calculations to determine optimal wall thickness.
A: Yes, depending on the alloy. Austenitic grades like 310S perform up to 1200°C, while nickel alloys like Inconel 625 are suitable for continuous use above 800°C. Always consult material temperature ratings for specific applications.
A: Standard sizes (e.g., 304, 316L) are available within 2-4 weeks. Custom alloys, sizes, or special finishes (e.g., electropolishing) may require 6-8 weeks, including testing and certification.
