stainless steel tube pressure rating

The maximum strength and resistance of stainless steel tubes can be broken down into three fundamental categories: seamless, welded, and drawn. Each type features a distinct working pressure – a measure of the pressure it can tolerate without leakage – along with a unique maximum allowable pressure threshold – illustrating the highest amount of pressure it can bear without bursting.

Crafted from a single metal entity, seamless stainless steel tube bears a greater strength than other types of tube. The metal is first heated, then shaped into tube form with no areas of weld or seam, lending it relentless resistance to high-pressure conditions that may cause leakage or bursting.

In comparison to its seamless counterpart, welded stainless steel tube is unable to withstand the same levels of pressure. This is because welded tubes are created by rolling a strip of stainless steel and then having its edges joined together. These welds contribute to its strength, but they simultaneously introduce areas of fragility. Therefore, the tube is more likely to burst or leak when exposed to a lower pressure than a seamless stainless steel tube.

With the lowest pressure rating of the three, drawn stainless steel tube is the most delicate of them all. This tube type is created by passing a thin strip of stainless steel through a die, shaping it into a tube. Afterwards, it is cooled down and drawn through another die to make the walls thinner and smoother. However, due to its fabrication process, it is not as sturdy as welded or seamless stainless steel tubes and can only withstand lower amounts of pressure.

When selecting a stainless steel tube for your task, its pressure rating should be taken into account. The most durable option is seamless stainless steel tube which is the highest pressure-resistant of all the types. On the flip side, welded stainless steel tubes are weaker yet can be implemented for many uses. Drawn stainless steel tubing, boasting the lowest pressure resistance, can still be a viable option for some projects.

Related Product