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The Mighty 316 Stainless Steel Tubing

What is 316 Stainless Steel?

There are 150 distinct grades of stainless steel with only fifteen of them being commonly used. The difference between the grades is determined by the alloys that are added to the steel during production such as titanium, nickel, molybdenum, silicon, aluminum, and carbon. Each grade is designed and engineered to serve a particular purpose in the manufacture of consumer and industrial products. Most steel producers specialize in one or two grades.

Iron has been a part of the world’s culture for thousands of years since before the birth of Christ. What vexed steel manufacturers was how to make an iron that was resistant to rust and corrosion. Inventors experimented with different processes but were unsuccessful in finding just the right combination. A couple of methods involved adding silver or gold, which proved to be successful but very expensive.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, scientists were still unable to find a practical way to produce highly resistant steel at a reasonable cost. After several tries, they discovered that the precise combination of carbon, steel and chromium created a very durable metal resistant to a wide variety of elements and temperature changes. Thus was born stainless steel. Over the last hundred years, other scientists have manipulated the formula and created the 150 grades we know today.

At the top of the chart of the different grades of stainless steel is 316. As with everything having to do with stainless steel, 316 divides into three separate grades – 316, 316L and 316H – which are all similar but different. Another variation to 316 is 317, a slightly stronger version of 316 designed for heavy duty machinery and chemical resistance.

To simplify this for people outside of the steel producing industry, stainless steel is used as a generic term encompassing all of the many types. Companies that use stainless steel in their manufacturing processes have specific suppliers from whom they buy their raw materials. Suppliers tend to specialize in one type of stainless steel to meet demand. The rest of us see bright shiny surfaces that do not stain, scratch or dent.

Austenitic is used to describe the process of combining iron with other metals. In the case of stainless steel 316, its austenitic is a combination of chromium and nickel with the addition of the element molybdenum. The final element, molybdenum, is the key to the strength of stainless steel 316 making it resistant to corrosion, chloride solutions, and extreme increases in temperature. The variations of 316, grades L and H, have increases or decreases in specific alloys making them slightly different from pure 316.

Uses of Grade 316 -

Next to stainless steel grade 304, grade 316 is the most commonly used type of stainless steel and can be found in food processing, aerospace design, medical equipment, and innumerable other industries. Though 304 and 316 are similar, the molybdenum in 316 makes it stronger and more resistant to chemicals such as chloride and harsh environments. These advantages make 316 slightly more expensive than 304.

One of the most common uses for 316 is in food processing, because it has an attractive clean antiseptic appearance and does not scar from the use of heavy equipment. Since every kitchen is different, tables and counters in food production have to be configured and shaped to meet the requirements of multiple environments. Grade 316’s ability to be formed, shaped and fabricated to fit any specific need makes it a perfect solution.

Stainless steel 316 has become a central part of the aerospace industry. Along with its resistance to corrosion, it is able to withstand high temperature oxidation as well as extreme temperature fluctuations, a common problem with aircraft. Aluminum was once thought to be a solution to the challenges of building aircraft since it is so light. As aeronautical engineers investigated materials that had greater tensile strength, they experimented with stainless steel and found it be slightly heavier but far stronger and durable since it can withstand temperatures well over 1200 degrees.

Aircraft manufacturers incorporate stainless steel in the production of landing gear, engine parts, and places requiring resistance to pressure while remaining durable. Since landing gear experiences a tremendous amount of stress for every flight, it is a very logical place for the application of stainless steel with its high tolerance. Stainless steel engine components are able to withstand wide atmospheric changes that are a normal part of modern aircraft as well as the radical temperature changes.

Stainless steel medical equipment has the same qualities as the parts for aircraft and counters for food production, resistance to corrosion and rust. Similar to the food industry, medical equipment has to be sanitized and sterilized to avoid the risk of contaminates, bacteria, or infection. Unlike the food industry, stainless steel manufactured for medical use has a coating of micelles, which provides increased resistance to bacteria making it self-sanitizing.

Aerospace, food production and medical equipment are only a few of the many places where stainless steel can be found. From the creation of toys and appliances to highly sophisticated machinery, its strength, endurance, and resistance to mistreatment has made it the most popular type of metal.

The future of stainless steel –

Future uses for stainless steel have been tied to the increasing concerns of environmental safety. Power plants fueled by coal are switching to stainless steel smokestack liners, a requirement established by the Clean Air Act. Under the provisions of the act, the petroleum industry has to use stainless steel in the treatment of its cooling water that has elevated amounts of chloride. Stainless steel tubes and tanks are a central part of the cleansing operation.

As technology advances and improves the manufacturing process, stainless steel is going to find its way into several industries especially if they use corrosives or acids. Recently, scientists have made significant breakthroughs in developing miniaturized stainless steel parts and components. These are just beginning of the evolution of stainless steel and its importance in our technologically advancing society.