Archives: FAQs

The “L”  indicates a low-carbon or “L-grade” stainless steel. Low-carbon stainless steels are designated by adding an “L” after the alloy grade number. For example, you might encounter designations like 304L or 316L stainless steel tubing. The “L” signifies that the stainless steel alloy contains a reduced carbon content compared to the standard grades. Low-carbon… Read more »

In some instances the terms may be used interchangeably; however, there are some differences is in how the material is ordered and toleranced. Tubing is typically ordered to outside diameter and wall thickness; however, it may also be ordered as OD & ID or ID and Wall Thickness. Although tubing has three dimensions (O.D., I.D…. Read more »

Annealing is a heat treatment process used to modify the physical and mechanical properties of stainless steel tubing, making it more workable, softer, and less brittle. The annealed condition for stainless steel tubing involves heating the material to a specific temperature and then cooling it slowly. The exact annealing process can vary depending on the… Read more »

Cold working or work hardening is the process of strengthening a metal by deformation at temperatures below the recrystallization temperature. Any mechanical operation that creates permanent formation, such as bending, rolling, drawing performed at room temperature that increases the hardness strength of stainless steel. Cold working decreases mechanical properties of metal like elongation, reduction of… Read more »

Some types of stainless steel can be hardened through heat treatment while other types need to be cold worked. Examples of cold working include swaging or drawing.

Fabricating stainless steel tubing involves a variety of techniques to create the desired shapes, sizes, and configurations for specific applications.  Tube drawing, welding, bending, swaging, expanding, reducing, flaring, CNC machining, and cold working.

Iron particles or other substances can become embedded in the stainless surface during fabrication or polishing operations. These particles must be removed or else they will cause discoloration, rusting, or even pitting. Oxidizing chemicals are used to form a passive layer along the surface of stainless steel to enhance resistance to corrosion. This process is… Read more »

Yes, many stainless steel alloys, including those in the 300 series, maintain their strength and corrosion resistance at high temperatures. This makes stainless steel tubing a suitable choice for applications such as heat exchangers, exhaust systems and industrial furnaces where exposure to high temperatures is a requirement.

Yes. Stainless steel retains its strength and ductility even in sub-zero temperatures, making it an excellent choice for applications in cold environments. It is often used in various industries such as cryogenic applications, refrigeration systems, cold storage facilities, and other cold temperature applications.