Everything Boiler Pipe Manufacturers Want You to Know About The Process
If you are in the manufacturing industry, you should be aware of seamless pipes. Seamless pipes are pipes with no seams, as their name suggests. There are different types of seamless pipes available in the market. Boiler pipes are one of those.
Boiler pipe manufacturers produce these pipes especially to deal with high-temperature applications. These pipes can transport hot water, steam, gases, and other hot fluids from one place to another. Since boiler pipes are essential in many industries, you must choose these pipes based on the materials manufacturers use to produce these pipes. For example, you can choose carbon steel boiler pipes if you need affordable seamless boiler tubes. On the other hand, if you have the budget to invest in stainless steel pipes, it is better to do so.
Since the materials pipe fabricators use to produce boiler pipes have some pros and cons, you should compare the materials. You can compare them based on their durability, affordability, performance, etc.
If you want to know more about boiler tube and pipe materials and their advantages and disadvantages, you are at the right place. Keep reading to explore more.
Carbon steel pipes:
As mentioned before, carbon steel is one of the most affordable options for purchasing boiler pipes in bulk. Even though inexpensive, carbon steel has outstanding mechanical properties. They are also easy to work with. Hence, manufacturers can produce a number of seamless tubes and pipes using carbon steel for different applications.
Advantages:
There are some significant advantages of investing in carbon steel boiler pipes. Here we have jotted down some of those:
- Carbon steel pipes are easy to produce because of their weldability. Manufacturers can produce different types of pipes to suit several types of requirements. If you want customized pipes, carbon steel is the best material. It is malleable and flexible as a metal.
- The second reason most people opt for carbon steel pipes is their affordability. Carbon steel is widely available, making it one of the most inexpensive piping materials. Hence, you can get your hands on carbon steel pipes no matter which pipe fabricator you are purchasing the pipes from.
- You must maintain strength when producing or installing boiler pipes. The pipes must be strong enough to withstand immense pressure and high temperatures. Carbon steel pipes can be sustained in extreme conditions without any problem. Hence, boiler tube manufacturers recommend carbon steel pipes for most applications.
- Ease of installation is yet another benefit of choosing carbon steel pipes. Since the pipes are malleable, they are easy to weld and install. Pipe suppliers do not need special tools to install carbon steel boiler pipes and tubes.
Disadvantages:
Whether you like it or not, there are some disadvantages to installing carbon steel pipes. Let us check those out:
- Carbon steel is less long-lasting than stainless steel. This is because the metal is prone to corrosion. You cannot install carbon steel pipes if you are working with water. The oxygen in the water will react with the metal and cause it to develop rust.
- Even though carbon steel can withstand high temperatures, its capacity has limitations. You cannot expose the pipes to extremely high temperatures. Carbon steel is brittle, and exposing the pipes to extremely high temperatures can cause them to break.
- While producing carbon steel seamless tubes and pipes is easy, it causes significant environmental damage. The production process not only creates pollution but also creates a significant amount of waste. Also, smelting iron ore takes intense energy, which results in excess energy consumption. It can cause severe environmental impact as well.
Applications of carbon steel pipes:
You can use carbon steel pipes in a wide range of applications. Apart from using carbon steel to produce boiler pipes, you can also use these pipes in manufacturing processes. However, you need to ensure that you employ carbon steel pipes for low-impact and moderate-temperature applications. It will ensure that the pipes do not break. Also, avoid using carbon steel pipes in marine environments. Carbon steel boiler pipes are ideal for homes or residential complexes.
Stainless steel pipes:
As you all know, stainless steel is one of the most used materials. Whether you want to buy pipes or utensils, stainless steel is the ideal choice for most. Hence, most boiler pipe manufacturers choose stainless steel as their primary material to produce different types of pipes, including boiler pipes. Stainless steel pipes are not only great for high-impact applications, but they are also resistant to corrosion. Their multiple qualities make them an obvious choice for most industrial applications.
Advantages:
Stainless steel has many advantages that most other metals do not have.
- Most people choose stainless steel for piping material because of its corrosion-resistant quality. You can use stainless steel boiler pipes in any environment that will last years. Hence, many choose stainless steel pipes for shipbuilding or boiler systems in marine environments. Even when you expose the pipes to seawater or humidity, they do not rust not develop any other sign of corrosion.
- The strength of stainless steel pipes is unmatched. Hardly any other metal has an equal amount of strength as stainless steel. Hence, stainless steel boiler pipes are ideal for substantial boiler systems. You can expose the pipes to extreme temperature and pressure conditions. They will still function as they should. In fact, boiler tube manufacturers produce stainless steel tubes for buildings and bridges because these tubes can withstand immense pressure.
- Apart from their strength, stainless steel pipes are also durable. It means that you can install the pipes and practically forget about it. Even when exposed to high heat, the stainless steel boiler pipes can last for a decade and even more. All you need to do is maintain the pipes regularly to ensure no build-up inside the pipes. The build-ups can reduce its flow capacity and cause unnecessary pipe tension.
- You should read this if you are worried about maintaining stainless steel boiler pipes. Stainless steel pipes are the easiest to clean. Since the inner and outer surfaces of the pipes are smooth, they are easy to clean. Hence, stainless steel seamless tubes and pipes are the most hygienic option.
Disadvantages:
There are some disadvantages to installing stainless steel boiler pipes. Knowing the cons will help you make an informed decision:
- Due to the multiple benefits stainless steel offers, the price of stainless steel boiler pipes is on the higher side of the spectrum. So, there are better options than stainless steel if you have a low budget.
- Even though stainless steel pipes can withstand more temperatures than carbon steel pipes, they are still limited. Only a few steel grades can withstand extremely high temperatures. For example, only steel grade 330 can withstand up to 2000°F. However, manufacturers recommend you expose the pipes to not more than 1900°F.
- If you compare stainless steel with carbon steel, this is difficult to weld. Manufacturers need specialized equipment and trained professionals who know the manufacturing techniques of stainless steel pipes.
Applications of stainless steel pipes:
Even though there are some disadvantages of stainless steel pipes, these are some of the most common materials boiler pipe manufacturers choose for most piping solutions. You can use stainless steel pipes in harsh environments. You can expose the pipes to higher temperatures in comparison with carbon steel.
Unless you are looking for pipes that can withstand beyond 2000°F, stainless steel boiler pipes are ideal. Also, the pipes are ideal for you if you want to maintain hygiene. For example, you can use stainless steel pipes in the food and beverages industry.
Summing it up:
When choosing materials for boiler pipes, you should consider multiple factors. First, compare two or more materials to identify the differences between them. For instance, use carbon steel boiler pipes if you need an affordable option. On the other hand, stainless steel pipes are your ideal choice if you want the boiler pipes to withstand extreme temperatures.
Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of the different materials will help you choose the right type of boiler pipes. However, if you are still deciding which pipes to choose, you can contact a reputable manufacturer who can guide you. Renowned boiler tube manufacturers have the experience to know and understand which material is suited for your needs.
