We are a specialist tubing manipulator that provides a host of services to assist our customers. With our help, you can easily access utensils that meet your particular needs. Standard tubes won’t always be enough because they lack specific features. Thanks to tube drilling and our other services, you will have the bespoke tubes you need.

Stainless steel is irreplaceable to operations

It has had a huge impact on everything from basic needs to more complex necessities. What makes this such a preferable substance is that it is an alloy capable of catering to the needs of various operators. The corrosion resistance, mechanical attributes, and cost make it extremely attractive.

In the case of the marine vs food industry, there are several factors you need to take into consideration. Only after you do this can you make a long term investment into stainless steel equipment like tubes. It can also shape your choice of things like tube drilling.

Speaking of the food and beverage industry, there are basic requirements. These include cost, durability, easiness to clean, and corrosion resistance. When you consider this industry, temperatures to heat and cool food, and the chemicals in the food are some details that come to mind. It is the same for the kind of food or liquid and the number of processing units.

Avoiding losses and damages

Each day, many factories process or produce jams, milk, juices, sauces and the like. They all come with their own pH values. If they are exposed to any form of equipment for too long, there could be cross-contamination. The product would also spoil, resulting in major losses. Additionally, the exterior of the equipment you are using for processing has to be smooth. There can’t be any damage or the product cannot flow easily.

Stainless steel is the best material for the job here. Amongst all its grades, the preferred choices would be between 304, 316, and 430.

Both 304 and 316 are utilised to manufacture sanitary items. They aren’t toxic and don’t have reactions to chemicals in the food. If you require our tube drilling services, please let us know.

One reason why various industries like using grade 430 is the low cost. It is an alloy that holds a trace amount of nickel. This explains its low price. What’s more, the alloy has a strong resistance to organic and nitric acids, as well as oxidation. Since this is the case, you can use it in mildly acidic applications for an extensive period.

Grade 304

To contrast, grade 304, which is more expensive, is an extremely popular alloy. This is true for the food industry and many other areas. Usually, grade 304 is thought of as an exemplary alloy to process specific food groups. Examples include fruits, vegetables, milk, and meats. This is because the alloy discourages contamination by eradicating toxicity. At the same time, it is simple to clean whilst being durable.

Moreover, by many standards, people see alloy 304 as a cost efficient alternative in a multitude of industries. This is on account of its excellent corrosion resistance and long service life in relation to food and beverages.

With grade 316 though, it is the costliest of the three. In terms of popularity, it closely follows grade 304. The mechanical characteristics and corrosion resistance are far higher than 304. Yet, 316 is only utilised when suppliers require these attributes on a far higher scale.

Marine uses

On the other hand, when talking about marine grade steels, 316 is the one that is used the most. It is true that 316 is suitable for marine and on-shore projects. However, it can underperform in regards to pitting resistance. This is particularly true in comparison to other alloys.

Aside from pitting resistance, austenitic steel grades come with a high yield strength of 570 MPa. They are able to perform well down to -50ºC. With super austenitic steel grades, their high molybdenum content lets them do well in marine settings. This is if you compare to standard duplex steels and 300 series metals.

Saying this, both the food and marine industries are very demanding. They need stainless steel for long term performance. Thus, it is best to discuss the needs of your applications before choosing alloys.

We have tube drilling services and more available

At Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd, we offer a comprehensive collection of manipulation services. Our goal is to ensure that clients can get the exact tubing they need.

Tube drilling is a great service that can save your money and time by offering you a precise, clean hole. With our expert work, you will receive the highest standards. Not to mention, we make use of clamps to ensure that the tubes won’t bend or turn.

Please get in touch if we can help you with tubing in any way, including food and marine applications.