We’re a tubing specialist focused on supplying our clients with the highest quality services. To do this, we use a series of techniques to give tubes the features they need. One of them is tube ring rolling. It can cater for all kinds of needs, including creating curves, rings, spirals, and more.
A group of alloys
Stainless steel tubing is one of the most popular choices for the work that we do. You may be aware that it is also a term that doesn’t refer to a specific alloy. Instead, it’s a group of iron-based alloys that hold at least 10.5% chromium. Other elements tend to feature, and the chromium content can increase. It works to boost the alloy’s corrosion resistance and heat-resisting characteristics.
These days, you can find all sorts of grades that highlight the separate variations available with steel. Saying this, there are three main ones for stainless steel. Let’s look at them.
Type 304
The first is type 304. This variety of stainless steel is readily available in all kinds of forms. It’s not difficult to fabricate and form, showing considerable resistance to corrosion. A nonmagnetic alloy, it can resist all kinds of oxidising acids and sterilising solutions. It can do the same with multiple organic/inorganic chemicals.
Type 304 is popular for automotive components, chemical containers, and food processing gear. You can also use it for doors, cladding, and aerospace components. If you need tube ring rolling services, talk to us.
Type 316
Secondly is type 316. The steel here has similarities to 304. Its main difference is molybdenum’s presence (3%). What it does is aid 316 in withstanding corrosive attacks from sodium and calcium brine, and acids.
Type 316 is particularly popular in the pharmaceutical and medical fields for building medically safe gear. Additionally, it has extensive use in applications involving waste water treatment and potable water. It’s the same with marine applications and architectural applications.
Type 430
Lastly, we have type 430. It doesn’t hold nickel or molybdenum. Therefore, it’s less expensive than type 304 and 316. Sadly, 430 comes with minimal weldability. Thus, it is not used for impact or dynamic load structures. Together with type 304, it ranks among the most common and popular grades of stainless steel. Yet, it is more budget friendly.
This steel mainly comes in handy for kitchen utensils and surfaces. You can use it to craft industrial pipes and tubes too, along with automotive parts. Tube ring rolling can be useful in many applications here.
The best choice
Now that we’ve discussed the three types, we can talk about which one is best. Like we said earlier, type 430 works for milder applications like kitchen utensils and equipment. For those after stainless steel with higher benefits, 304 or 316 are the better choices. There isn’t much separating the two, but there are details that can help you make a choice.
Environment is one important factor. Both 304 and 316 can cope in highly corrosive settings. Although, chloride, acidic, and salty settings will need type 316. The molybdenum guarantees higher corrosion resistance. For temperature, environments subjected to higher temperatures also need 316. The range here is <454ºC and >843ºC.
Finally, there is the cost. Type 304 is far cheaper than 316. If you’re in need of a budget friendly option, you know what to choose. Overall, the best alloy seems to be 316. Due to the higher price though, 304 is the more popular option.
There’s more than one way to do tube ring rolling
At Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd, we can perform ring rolling in multiple ways. Examples include hot and cold manipulation. Sometimes heating the tubing is necessary to increase the ductility.
Our goal is to ensure we deliver the best results every time with tube ring rolling. Notably, you get constant curves here even with strong materials. So, if you’re interested in working with us, please get in touch.