Ubiquitous in modern applications, Sanitary Stainless Steel 304 Tube is the most common stainless steel grade. Discover its benefits and uses in the following article by Hoa Giang.
About Sanitary Stainless Steel 304 Tube
What is Sanitary Stainless Steel 304 Tube?
Type 304 stainless steel is produced in various forms such as sheets, plates, V-shapes, and tubes to cater to different manufacturing needs. Among them, tubes retain the superior properties of stainless steel and offer high strength and durability due to their cylindrical structure.
Sanitary Stainless Steel 304 Tube is a special type of stainless steel tube manufactured from 304 stainless steel and is thoroughly polished both inside and outside. This polishing process creates a smooth surface, eliminating scratches, burrs, and crevices, facilitating cleaning and preventing the adhesion of bacteria, mold, and other contaminants.
Type of Sanitary Stainless Steel 304 Tube
There are two common types of sanitary 304 stainless steel tubing:
- Welded sanitary stainless steel tubing: Manufactured through a welding process, it can be easily customized to various designs.
- Seamless sanitary stainless steel tubing: Produced through a seamless casting process, it offers high uniformity, a completely smooth surface, and no welds or gaps.
Both types of sanitary tubing have the following surface specifications:
- Finish: Polished to a Ra ≤ 0.4μm or <0.8μm
- Surface: Brushed with Ra <0.8μm
Advantages of Sanitary Stainless Steel 304 Tube
The following are the advantages that make sanitary 304 stainless steel tubing preferred in many industries:
Corrosion and oxidation resistance
Sanitary 304 stainless steel tubing, composed mainly of steel with high chromium and nickel content, forms a protective surface layer, resisting corrosion from acids, salts, and other chemical agents. As its name suggests, “stainless steel tubing,” corrosion resistance is its most significant characteristic. It is relatively inert and hardly reacts chemically with water and air under normal conditions. However, when used for extended periods in chemical or highly acidic environments with high chloride content, 304 stainless steel tubing may corrode.
High temperature and pressure resistance
Sanitary 304 stainless steel tubing can withstand temperatures up to 925°C while maintaining its oxidation resistance and mechanical properties. The heat resistance of stainless steel is determined by the Carbon content in its composition. Therefore, stainless steel tubing is often used in applications requiring moderate corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and easy cleaning, such as water pipes in buildings and pipelines in food processing lines.
Additionally, sanitary 304 stainless steel tubing can withstand high pressures (up to 515 MPa) without deformation, increasing its service life and reducing replacement costs.
Easy fabrication and shaping
304 stainless steel is considered an easy-to-use material, thanks to its high ductility. This characteristic allows 304 stainless steel to be shaped into complex designs requiring high technical skills. Finished sanitary 304 stainless steel tubing still retains its excellent bending properties, high strength, and durability. Therefore, sanitary 304 stainless steel tubing is widely used not only in industry but also in various other fields such as kitchen utensils, household appliances, and decoration.
Long-lasting shine, easy cleaning, and maintenance
Thanks to its highly polished surface, which is smooth and less rough, it is easy to clean and maintain regularly. Additionally, this type of tubing does not react with most cleaning agents, ensuring safe use.
Applications of Sanitary Stainless Steel 304 Tube in Practice
Given its outstanding advantages such as durability, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance, sanitary 304 stainless steel tubing is widely used in manufacturing equipment and tools for various industries and fields:
Food and Beverage Industry
- Sanitary 304 stainless steel tubing is used to manufacture equipment such as tanks, pipes, valves, and pumps in food processing plants, dairies, breweries, etc.
- It is the primary material for production lines, ensuring food safety and hygiene.
- It is also used to manufacture food storage equipment such as industrial refrigerators and cold storage units.
Pharmaceutical Industry
- Sanitary 304 stainless steel tubing is used to manufacture equipment such as mixers, pipes, valves, and pumps in pharmaceutical manufacturing plants.
- Stainless steel tubing is used to produce medical equipment, such as operating tables and surgical instruments, which have minimal contact with chemicals.
Construction Industry
- Sanitary 304 stainless steel tubing is also used in construction, especially in projects requiring high cleanliness standards: restaurant kitchens, cold storage facilities, and microbiological laboratories.
- Additionally, they are used for interior decoration, kitchen utensils, and other household appliances.
Other Industries
- Stainless steel tubing is used to manufacture water treatment equipment, such as filters and columns.
- It is used in power plants and thermal power plants for clean water and oil pipelines in the energy industry.
- Sanitary 304 stainless steel tubing is also used to manufacture equipment in the electronics industry, where high cleanliness is required.
- Moreover, they can be used in the chemical industry for clean water supply or to produce items that do not come into direct contact with chemicals.
Standard Dimensions of Sanitary Stainless Steel 304 Tube
Below is the standard dimension table of Sanitary 304 Stainless Steel Tubing at Hoa Giang, including two main standards: SMS and DIN:
- SMS Standard: This standard regulates stainless steel used in systems requiring high hygiene, commonly found in the food, pharmaceutical, chemical, and biological industries. Products complying with this standard ensure cleanliness, prevent contamination, and meet strict food safety regulations.
- DIN 11850-1 Standard: DIN stands for Deutsches Institut für Normung – German Institute for Standardization. The DIN standard sets regulations and technical specifications for various products, services, and processes, ensuring consistency, quality, and safety in production and business. Products complying with the DIN standard can be easily combined and replaced, facilitating maintenance and repair.
In addition, there are other standards, which customers can refer to such as:
- 3A Sanitary Standards: The US 3A standard sets requirements for the design, manufacture, and testing of equipment that comes into contact with food, including sanitary stainless steel tubing.
- BS 4825: This British standard specifies stainless steel tubing used in the food industry. BS 4825 is divided into two parts, similar to DIN 11850.
- ISO: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) also has standards related to sanitary stainless steel tubing, such as ISO 2037.
- BPE: This is a detailed technical specification designed specifically for equipment and systems used in the production of biological, pharmaceutical, and food products. This standard sets strict requirements to ensure product quality, hygiene, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Equipment complying with the BPE standard helps minimize contamination risks, ensuring the quality and purity of the final product.
Depending on the purpose of use and cost, customers can choose the most suitable sanitary stainless steel tubing standard. The more specific the application or the higher the standard requirement, the higher the cost of the stainless steel tubing.
At Hoa Giang, we always have high-quality sanitary stainless steel tubing that meets SMS and DIN 11850-1 standards in stock. In addition, we accept pre-orders and manufacture tubing to order according to other standards such as BPE, 3A, …
For more specific advice and pricing, please contact:
HOA GIANG CO., LTD.
Address: No. 19 Bach Dang, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: (028) 38485518~9
Email: sales.visinh@inoxhoagiang.com
Website: www.inoxhoagiang.vn – www.inoxhg.vn – www.hwayangvn.com
NOTE: Hoa Giang is the SOLE and EXCLUSIVE Distributor of GHWA Thailand in Viet Nam. All other suppliers with GHWA brand name are FAKE.