What are stainless steel tubes and what are their advantages?

What are seamless stainless steel tubes?

A seamless tube is a tube that does not have any welding seam due to the fact that it is extruded from a single piece of stainless steel. 

The absence of a welding seam makes this type of tube significantly stronger and better able to overcome various industrial stresses than welded varieties.

What are the advantages of seamless stainless steel tubes?

The welded seam of a tube is considered a weakened inhomogeneous part of the product.  The malleability and corrosion resistance of a seam is different to that of the rest of the tube. Dimensional variance is also a factor. A seamless tube eliminates any such issues since it is extruded from one piece of stainless steel and by definition homogeneous. Seamless tubes:

• have superior corrosion resistance
• are stronger than welded tubes
• can withstand higher pressure

For what applications are seamless tubes the preferred option?

Seamless tubes are used for industrial applications where a high standard of safety is required, especially in terms of resistance to corrosion and pressure. Examples of such applications include:

• Oil, gas and chemical industries
• Underwater safety valves
• Fluid and gas transport
• Protection tubes for thermocouples in high pressure applications

Kamet offers a range of stainless steel seamless tubing. For more details see our product page. Also, our specialists are always on hand to answer any questions you may have.