What’s the different of carbon steel pipe and stainless steel pipe?

Stainless steel tubing and carbon steel tubing are both good choices for a variety of applications, so knowing which is right can be difficult. By learning the basics of what steel tubing is and how it’s used, you should be able to better determine which one suits your needs.

Both carbon steel pipe and stainless steel pipe belong to metal steel pipe, but the content of metal elements in them is different, which also leads to the characteristics of stainless steel pipe, which is more corrosion-resistant than carbon steel, but has a higher initial cost. Typically both have the same basic elements iron and carbon. The difference is that carbon steel tubing has an alloy content of 10.5% while stainless steel tubing has a chromium content of 10.5% and above. Its main difference is also in different physical properties.

1. What is carbon steel pipe used for?

Carbon steel tubes are made from steel ingots or solid round steel through the perforation into capillary tubes, and then made by hot rolling, cold rolling or cold drawing. Carbon steel pipe occupies an important position in my country’s steel pipe industry.

Carbon steel tubing is used for liquid, gas and steam lines both above and below ground. It is not recommended for use in corrosive applications but can be used in caustic applications.

2. What is stainless steel tubing used for?

Stainless steel tubes are manufactured from acid and heat resistant steel billets that are heated, punched, calibrated, hot rolled and cut.

Stainless steel pipe is a hollow long round bar and is mainly used in piping systems for liquid or gas transportation, also widely used in petroleum, chemical, medical, food, light industrial, machinery and instrumentation pipelines and other industrial transportation pipelines and mechanical components. In addition, the weight is lower with the same flexural and torsional strength, so it is also widely used in the manufacture of mechanical parts and engineering structures. It is also often used as furniture and kitchen utensils.

3. Carbon Steel Pipes vs. Stainless Steel Pipes

Common carbon steel tubes are Q195 and Q235. Carbon steel can also be called magnetic alloy steel, in addition to carbon and iron, it also generally contains a small amount of silicon, manganese, sulfur and phosphorus. Stainless steel is chromium-nickel steel, in addition to carbon and iron there are other metal elements such as chromium, nickel and copper. The chromium content in the steel pipe over 12.5% ​​forms a protective film (passivation film) on the surface of the steel pipe to achieve the anti-corrosion. Therefore, the main difference between the two is corrosion resistance. Carbon steel pipe is easy to rust while stainless steel pipe is corrosion resistant steel.

Stainless steel tubing is shiny and comes in a variety of grades that can increase the chromium content in the alloy until the steel surface is as reflective as a mirror. For the casual observer, carbon steel tubing and stainless steel tubing are easy to tell apart. Carbon steel pipe is matte and has a matte finish comparable to a cast iron pot or wrought iron fence.

Stainless steel is a unique form of steel that will not corrode. This property is obtained through the use of chromium as a special hardener. Through the use of chromium, stainless steel has the basic properties of steel with significantly increased corrosion resistance. Like carbon steel, stainless steel also reacts to atmospheric oxygen and forms an oxide layer. However, instead of forming an iron oxide layer, it forms a chromium oxide layer. Iron oxide is a volatile molecule that perpetuates