Stainless Steel Pipe | Seamless 316L Pharma-Grade Tubes

Stainless Steel Pipe | Seamless 316L Pharma-Grade Tubes

Product Overview

Our Seamless 316L Pharma-Grade Tubes are engineered to meet the stringent requirements of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and food processing industries. Manufactured under ASTM A312/ASME SA213 standards, these tubes combine exceptional corrosion resistance, hygienic design, and precision tolerances (±0.1mm) for critical applications such as CIP/SIP systems, bioreactors, and sterile fluid transfer. With mirror-polished surfaces (Ra ≤0.3μm) and full traceability via Mill Test Reports (MTRs), our tubes ensure compliance with FDA, EHEDG, and 3-A Sanitary Standards.

Technical Specifications

For stainless steel pipe pressure rating guidelines or stainless steel pipe tig welding support, consult our technical team.

Key Attributes

1. Hygienic Design: Mirror-polished surfaces eliminate bacterial adhesion, complying with 3-A Sanitary Standards for pharmaceutical and food-grade applications.
2. Corrosion Resistance: 16-18% chromium and 2-3% molybdenum resist chloride-induced pitting in sterilizing agents and saline solutions.
3. Seamless Integrity: Zero weld seams prevent contamination risks, ideal for high-purity fluid transfer.
4. Thermal Stability: Withstands autoclave cycles up to 135°C and steam sterilization without deformation.

Detailed Performance Characteristics

Tensile & Bend Strength

• Tensile Strength:
  With ≥485 MPa tensile strength, these tubes maintain structural integrity under high-pressure pharmaceutical processing (e.g., chromatography columns). The low carbon content (≤0.03%) prevents carbide precipitation during stainless steel pipe tig welding, ensuring post-weld corrosion resistance.
• Bend Strength:
  The cold-drawn seamless structure retains ductility under tight-radius bends (1.5x OD), critical for compact bioreactor layouts. Use mandrel bending tools to avoid ovality.

Identification Methods

• Laser Etching: Permanent markings include grade ("316L"), OD, thickness, heat number, and ASTM/ASME compliance per ASTM A480.
• Certification: MTRs validate chemical composition (Cr:16-18%, Ni:10-14%, Mo:2-3%) and mechanical properties for full traceability.

Weight Calculation

Use the formula:
Weight (kg/m)=1000(OD−WT)×WT×0.0248
Example: A 50mm OD tube with 2mm wall thickness weighs ~2.3 kg/m. Download our stainless steel pipe dimensions chart for bulk calculations.

Causes of Stainless Steel Rust

Despite its corrosion resistance, rust can occur under:

1. Chloride Exposure: Hypochlorite-based sanitizers or saline solutions degrade the passive chromium oxide layer, causing pitting.
2. Mechanical Damage: Scratches from abrasive cleaning tools expose raw metal to oxidation.
3. Galvanic Corrosion: Contact with carbon steel instruments in electrolytic fluids accelerates degradation.
4. Improper Welding: Excessive heat input during stainless steel pipe tig welding causes chromium carbide precipitation. Solution: Use argon back-purging and low-carbon filler wires (ER316L).

Applications

• Pharmaceutical Processing: Sterile fluid transfer lines, vaccine production reactors.
• Biopharmaceutical CIP Systems: Compatible with NaOH and HNO3 cleaning agents.
• Food & Beverage: Dairy processing pipes, brewery fermentation tanks.

Why Choose Our Stainless Steel Tubes?

1. Pharma-Grade Certification: Compliant with FDA 21 CFR and ISO 13485 for medical device compatibility.
2. Global Network: As leading stainless steel pipe fittings suppliers, we ensure 15-day delivery to EU, NA, and APAC regions.
3. Custom Solutions: Tailored OD, wall thickness, and passivation treatments (e.g., nitric acid or citric acid).
4. Technical Support: 24/7 guidance on stainless steel pipe pressure rating calculations and orbital welding protocols.
5. Sustainability: 100% recyclable with ISO 14001-certified eco-packaging,