Today in the construction market profile pipes have become very popular. For their manufacture, different materials are used. But a special place is occupied by stainless steel profile pipes. They are distinguished by a rectangular or square shape. There is even an oval stainless pipe! Thus, due to the variety of shapes, a stainless steel profile pipe allows you to create a design that is most suitable for the intended operating conditions.
Steel profile pipes are available in a wide variety of cross-sectional shapes and are used in various fields of industry and construction.
Content
Scopes and advantages
High technical characteristics of profile steel stainless pipes allow their use in the following industries:
- chemical and oil industry;
- engineering;
- food industry;
- furniture manufacturing;
- creation of supporting structures of various structures;
- interior decoration;
- design of street structures.
This is not a complete list of the areas of application of profile stainless steel pipe, since its popularity is increasing every year. In some types of construction work, products of this type cannot be dispensed with at all! For example, on the basis of a square or rectangular stainless steel pipe, floors and supporting structures of residential, warehouse, commercial and industrial buildings are created.
When compared with similar products of rolled pipe made of other materials, we can say that these products have the following advantages:
- convenience and simplicity of welding and installation work;
- stainless steel profile pipes are characterized by high anti-corrosion properties;
- a square and rectangular stainless pipe is characterized by high strength characteristics due to the presence of stiffening ribs;
- relatively light weight.
Profile pipes are the basis of many buildings and structures for various purposes
Stainless steel profile pipes have opened a wide field of activity for designers. Often you can observe elegant, amazingly beautiful street structures, as well as stylish staircases and curbs.
Of course, the cost of a stainless steel profile pipe is quite high. But its use does not require the application of a layer of protective coating; it does not need to be painted and sanded. And for some products this is generally contraindicated. In this case we are talking about a stainless steel pipe polished to a mirror finish.
Types of steel profile products
Depending on the quality of the surface, the following types of products are distinguished:
- pipes with a mirror surface both internal and external;
- polished stainless steel pipes;
- pipes with a matte surface.
According to the method of production, these products are divided into:
- hot rolled pipes;
- cold rolled pipes;
- seamless products.
Each type of product has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
Helpful information! Hot-formed pipes are used as blanks for the production of rectangular and square cold-rolled pipes.
A special rolling machine gives the desired shape to the pipes
Mirror profile pipes. Application features
The scope of a particular type of pipe largely depends on its shape.
Rectangular mirror tube. Pipes of this type are made of AISI 304 steel. They are used both for interior decoration and for exterior decoration of building facades. Characterized by a perfectly flat surface. In combination with high quality metal, this property prevents the formation of bacteria and fungal deposits on the wall of the stainless mirror tube. This feature was not ignored by modern metallurgical plants. Using the same technology, they launched the production of stainless steel profile pipes. These products allow you to automate the production of food. Here they are used to transport ingredients and food additives to manufactured products.
In our country, their production is regulated by GOST 9940-81 and GOST 9941-81. Most often, food pipes are made of steel grade 12X18H10T. But there are Western analogues of such products. In this case, AISI 316, AISI 321 steel is also used for the manufacture of food pipes. In addition, a special standard is applied in the EU. It requires certification of food grade steel in accordance with ISO 6486/1. This concerns, first of all, the acceptable threshold for the dissolution of chromium and nickel. In the above grades of food steel, it should not exceed 1%. Increased attention is drawn to the level of excretion of various substances. In particular, food grade steel should not produce heavy metal ions. In heating and water supply systems, rectangular mirror pipes are not used.
Mirrored profile pipes are used for the production of furniture, interior items, as various decorative elements
Square mirror tube. AISI 304 steel is used as a raw material for the manufacture of square mirror tubes. These products are used in such areas as:
- engineering;
- installation of metal structures;
- for decorative purposes, etc.
The mirror surface also allows the use of products of this type as a stainless steel food pipe. However, according to the current regulatory documents, the use of other, cheaper raw materials is allowed for their production. From the point of view of saving money, the best solution would be to buy a stainless steel food pipe made of AISI 201 steel. Products of this type are not used in heating and water supply systems.
Matte and ground profile pipes
Square brushed steel pipe. Stainless steel electric welded pipe of this type is made of AISI 304 steel. It is used as an element of such structures as:
- supports;
- work sites;
- production racks, etc.
From the pipe with a polished surface create products whose appearance does not impose high aesthetic requirements
Helpful information! In general, a matte stainless electrowelded pipe is suitable for the creation of metal products, the appearance and decorativeness of which are not high requirements.
Rectangular polished pipe. This type includes rectangular steel pipes, which have a decorative appearance due to the fact that their surface is polished in a special way. Made of AISI 304 steel.
Pipe wall thickness: what is the importance of this parameter
As you know, the cross section of stainless steel pipelines of water supply and heating systems is only round. This is due to the fact that the highway, in the outlines of which there are various angles, can quickly become clogged in places of bends. Therefore, in this case, it is better to refuse to use a square or rectangular stainless pipe.
Another thing when it comes to the automotive industry, the furniture industry or, for example, the aerospace industry.Here, a thin-walled stainless steel square and rectangular pipe has a special place. Indeed, despite the relatively light weight, due to the presence of stiffening ribs, it is able to withstand increased loads. For the manufacture of profile thin-walled electric-welded stainless pipes, alloyed or carbon steel is used.
The use of products of this type as loaded elements of metal structures is possible only in the absence of deviations from the specified geometric dimensions. Otherwise, under the influence of external forces, the pipe will simply fold.
The production of profile thick-walled stainless steel pipes is based on the use of hot deformation technology and is regulated by the requirements of GOST 8734-75. Welding of the joint is done by electric arc welding. Its presence, of course, reduces the strength of a thick-walled stainless pipe, but not significantly (by only 10-15%).
From the wall thickness of the profile pipe depends on its resistance to loads and the possibility of use in a particular area
The scope of this product is the most diverse. Thick-walled pipes are used for the manufacture of decorative fences, expensive furniture, and medical equipment. Rectangular products with a section of 40x20 are often used for frames of various couches. And 50x50 square thick-walled pipes are used as stair railings in supermarkets. Pipes of this type have found wide application in shipbuilding, as a thick-walled stainless steel pipe can withstand the negative effects of corrosion.
Alternative to profile pipes
In conclusion, it should be noted that it is not always advisable to use profile products. The fact that it is impossible to use such a stainless pipe for heating and water supply has already been said. Fortunately, the domestic market provides an opportunity for optimal selection. In addition, the World Wide Web allows you to track the status of affairs in this segment remotely. And he is literally full of offers for the sale of stainless pipes for heating and water supply.
However, there is one more nuance. Modern heating and water supply lines are mainly made of plastic PPR round pipes. But just knowing how a steel pipe connects to a polypropylene pipe will not be enough. To do this, you need to order a transition fitting from a round diameter to a rectangular section.
Important! In order to avoid complaints about the connection of the steel pipe with polypropylene, it will be necessary to indicate the exact dimensions of the mating parts.
But back to the question of expediency. For example, to organize a chimney in a private house or in the country, it is best to use a round stainless steel sandwich pipe. Such a solution will simplify the installation of the structure, reduce cash costs and ensure high quality functioning of the entire toxic gas removal system.
With all the advantages of shaped pipes, in some cases, round products should be used instead - for example, in a chimney system
Sandwich chimney consists of 2 pipes. Between them is a basalt layer. This material is able to withstand temperatures up to + 750 ° C and is characterized by a low coefficient of thermal conductivity. The connection of the pipe-sandwich with the elements of the chimney is carried out “pipe to pipe” and does not require additional fastening. The inner and outer pipes are made of austenitic steel. This solution holds the geometry of the sandwich chimney and ensures the rigidity of the frame.
To increase resistance to overheating, the structure is often enameled. As a result, the temperature threshold of the sandwich chimney increases to + 900 ° C. But the effect of the presence of an enamel coating is not limited to this. Sandwich chimneys with such a layer are not subject to the action of condensation formed on their walls.The conductivity of this equipment is also significantly improved. In other words, the efficiency of an enameled chimney flue sandwich increases.
In addition, some homeowners may have a question regarding stainless thick-walled stainless steel profile pipes. Since they cannot be used to create water supply and heating systems, is it possible to use them to protect plastic pipes? But their use as a casing is also impractical. In this case, the total weight of the designs of water supply and heating systems will exceed all reasonable limits.
However, the scope of application of profile stainless pipes is very diverse. Therefore, you can do without additional fantasies. And although each of us has the right to conduct experiments, it is better to use solutions that have been tried and tested with respect to these products. So it will be more reliable.
