Introduction
The emergence of irregular shaped stainless steel pipe meets the requirements that many traditional stainless steel pipes can not meet.
For example, it can have many shapes. This not only saves steel but also meets aesthetic needs.
Moreover, with the development and maturity of the market, people can also customize the pattern.
However, because of its high use value, its price will be higher than other types of stainless steel pipe.
So, what is irregular shaped stainless steel pipe? How should people choose?
Next，let’s have a closer look at it.
What is irregular shaped stainless steel pipe
Irregular shaped stainless steel pipe is a general term for steel pipes with other cross-sectional shapes other than round pipes. (If you want to know things about round pipes, you can check here What is round stainless steel pipe? )
Moreover, it includes welded special-shaped pipes and seamless special-shaped pipes.
Because of the material, the stainless steel special-shaped pipe is generally more than 304.
While the material of 200 and 201 is hard and strong, which makes it more difficult to form.
The production process of irregular shaped stainless steel pipe
The processing of stainless steel special-shaped pipe has two types: one-time forming and multiple forming.
One time molding
A molding process is that people let the stainless steel belt through the welded pipe processing production line to process the stainless steel belt.
Then, people squeeze it with a combination of abrasives. In this way, it can reach the standard of the regular shaped stainless steel pipe.
Multiple molding
Multiple molding is when people send round or square tubes through mechanical processing.
Then, put them into the pipe machine. In this way, they form a set irregular shaped stainless steel pipe Sometimes, the machining of the cross-section of the steel pipe is complicated.
So, people can’t make them take shape at once. At this time, people will choose two or more molding. Generally speaking, the former is better than the latter in the process quality.
But the specific quality and process requirements will not be very different.
Manufacturing technology
There are two processing technologies for irregular shaped stainless steel pipe: hot rolling and cold rolling.Moreover, there are differences in performance between the two processes.
Therefore, when choosing products, people should choose the corresponding irregular shaped stainless steel pipe according to their own needs.
So, what’s the difference between the two kinds of technologies?
Advantages and disadvantages of hot rolling and cold rolling:
Now, let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of these two processes.
Benefits of the hot rolling process
The hot rolling process can destroy the casting structure of the IR regular-shaped stainless steel pipe.
Moreover, it can refine the grain size of steel. This eliminates the defect of the microstructure.
In addition, its structure is dense and its mechanical properties are improved.
Disadvantages of the hot rolling process
After hot rolling, the non-metallic impurities in the infrared shaped stainless steel pipe will become thin sheets.
And this leads to layering.
Moreover, this will reduce the tensile properties of the irregular shaped stainless steel pipe in the thickness direction. Moreover, the residual stress caused by its uneven cooling will also have adverse effects on other properties of pipes.
Benefits of a cold rolling process
The cold rolling process is very fast.
Moreover, it does not damage the coating.
Therefore, it has a high yield.
Various cross-sections can be made by cold rolling. This meets a variety of needs.
In addition, the cold rolling process can cause large plastic deformation of the irregular shaped stainless steel pipe.
And this raises the yield point of the steel.
Disadvantages of the cold rolling process
The cross-section of the irregular stainless steel pipe is usually open.
Therefore, the free torsion of its section is low.
In this way, when people bend them, they tend to twist. Moreover, it will bend when it is under pressure. The wall thickness of the meanwhile, regular stainless steel pipe is small.
What’s more, people didn’t thicken it at the joints between plates.
Therefore, its local concentrated load force is weak.
And the irregular stainless steel pipe made by the two processes has its advantages and disadvantages. However, with the continuous updating of technology, people are constantly improving and perfecting these processing technologies.
What is the performance of an irregular stainless steel pipe?
Performance of irregular stainless steel pipe
Compared with the round pipe, the stainless steel special-shaped pipe generally has a larger moment of inertia and section modulus.
In addition, it has greater bending and torsion resistance.
This can greatly reduce the weight of steel.
Now，let me take a look at the types of irregular stainless steel.
Types of irregular shaped stainless steel pipe
According to the different sections and shapes, the irregular stainless steel pipes has the following types:
- Oval shaped pipe
- Stainless steel U-shaped pipe, D-shaped pipe, stainless steel elbow, S-shaped pipe, octagonal-shaped steel pipe, unequal hexagon-shaped pipe
- Semicircular shaped pipe
- Five petals plum-shaped pipe
- Double convex and double convex-shaped pipe
- Melon seed shaped steel pipe
- Conical shaped steel pipe
- Corrugated shaped steel pipe
- Diamond-shaped steel pipe, etc.
Besides these, the surface of the tube is abnormal.
The surface of the tube body is abnormal
The surface of the pipe is abnormal.
And the common types are rhombus stainless steel pipes and patterned stainless steel pipes.
Rhombus stainless steel pipe is the diamond pattern that people press out on the surface of the pipe body.
There are many types of patterned stainless steel pipes.
Now more common are Yuanbao tube, Xiangyun tube, money tube, Hui tube, dot tube.
In addition, there are other patterns on the surface of the pipes.
And they also belong to the patterned stainless steel pipes.
Other types
Most of the time, people customize the pipes according to the drawings.
So they don’t have a fixed name.
Now, let’s look at a few common species.
Horseshoe-shaped pipe
Its cross-section shape is similar to that of a horse’s hoof. Therefore, its name is horseshoe shaped pipe.
Moreover, people use it widely in building decoration such as fences and railings.
Bread shaped pipe
Its section shape is similar to that of bread.
So its name is bread shaped tube.
Similarly, people use it widely in building decoration such as fences and railings.
Oval shaped pipe
Its cross-section is elliptical.
So its name is an oval-shaped pipe.
Moreover, people widely use it in construction and automobile parts.
Trapezoidal shaped pipe
Its cross-section is trapezoidal.
Similarly, that’s where the name comes from.
Moreover, People widely use it in construction and mechanical equipment.
Single groove tube
Its cross-section is concave.
So its name is a single grooved pipe.
Moreover, the more common application is to fix the floor glass.
And people can also use it in mechanical equipment and automobiles.
Fan-shaped pipe
Its cross-section is fan-shaped.
So, it’s a fan-shaped tube.
As for its application, it is widely used in building decoration and various structural parts and tools.
The above are six kinds of stainless steel special-shaped pipes. But people can also customize it
Application of irregular shaped stainless steel pipe
In recent years, China’s stainless steel pipe field is more mature.
Therefore, the application of irregular shaped stainless steel pipe is more extensive.
Among them, the traditional application is in various structural parts, tools, and mechanical parts.
In addition, in various types of pipe equipment and decoration applications, people will also use IR regular-shaped stainless steel pipes
However, in addition to these practical applications, there are many applications in decorative art.
Among them, irregular shaped stainless steel pipes are the products applied in this field.
How to choose the right irregular shaped stainless steel pipe?
People often don’t know how to choose when they buy the regular shaped stainless steel pipe.
Generally, people think that the better the material of the infrared shaped stainless steel pipe is, the more expensive it is. This can lead to higher costs.
The use environment of irregular shaped stainless steel pipes is the key to people’s choice.
Different environments have different requirements for corrosion resistance. Therefore, people choose different materials.
In general, 201grade contains 0.8% Ni and 12% CR. Therefore, in the general atmospheric environment, it will not corrode and rust.
For 304 grade, it contains 8% Ni and 18% CR. Moreover, these high levels of rare elements will produce an oxide film. And this can protect pipes.
Therefore, 304 grade has better corrosion resistance and rust resistance.
If there is water in the environment, 304 grade will be a better choice.
As for 316 grade, it can maintain good corrosion resistance even in a marine or strong acid environment. However, its price is relatively high.
To sum up, people choose according to different environment and aesthetic requirements.
Conclusion
Stainless steel special-shaped steel pipe is the general term of steel pipe with another cross-section shape except for round pipe.
As for its material, stainless steel special-shaped pipe is generally 304 material or better than 304 material.
Moreover，there are two processing technologies for irregular shaped stainless steel pipe: hot rolling and cold rolling.
And there are differences in performance between the two processes.
The irregular stainless steel pipe made by the two processes has its advantages and disadvantages.
Therefore, when choosing products, people should choose the corresponding irregular shaped stainless steel pipe according to their own needs.
According to the different cross-sections and shape, people divide irregular stainless steel pipes into many kinds.
In addition, the surface of the pipe is irregular shaped.
And the common types are rhombus stainless steel pipe and patterned stainless steel pipe.
And people can customize the pipes according to the drawings.
So they don’t have a fixed name.
In recent years, China’s stainless steel pipe field is more mature. Therefore, the application of irregular shaped stainless steel pipe is more extensive.
Among them, the traditional application is in various structural parts, tools, and mechanical parts.
However, in addition to these practical applications, there are many applications in decorative art.
Besides, when purchasing the regular shaped stainless steel pipe, the use of the environment is the key to people’s choice. People choose according to different environment and aesthetic requirements.
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