|
|
|
In 1913, English metallurgist Harry Brearly, working on a project to improve rifle barrels, accidentally discovered that adding chromium to low carbon steel gives it stain resistance. In addition to iron, carbon, and chromium, modern stainless steel may also contain other elements, such as nickel, niobium, molybdenum, and titanium. Nickel, molybdenum, niobium, and chromium enhance the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. It is the addition of a minimum of 12% chromium to the steel that makes it resist rust, or stain 'less' than other types of steel. The chromium in the steel combines with oxygen in the atmosphere to form a thin, invisible layer of chrome-containing oxide, called the passive film. The sizes of chromium atoms and their oxides are similar, so they pack neatly together on the surface of the metal, forming a stable layer only a few atoms thick.
If the metal is cut or scratched and the passive film is disrupted, more oxide will quickly form and recover the exposed surface, protecting it from oxidative corrosion. (Iron, on the other hand, rusts quickly because atomic iron is much smaller than its oxide, so the oxide forms a loose rather than tightly-packed layer and flakes away.) The passive film requires oxygen to self-repair, so stainless steels have poor corrosion resistance in low-oxygen and poor circulation environments. In seawater, chlorides from the salt will attack and destroy the passive film more quickly than it can be repaired in a low oxygen environment.
|
|
|
The three main types of stainless steels are austenitic, ferritic, and martensitic. These three types of steels are identified by their microstructure or predominant crystal phase.
Austenitic steels have austenite as their primary phase (face centered cubic crystal). These are alloys containing chromium and nickel (sometimes manganese and nitrogen), structured around the Type 302 composition of iron, 18% chromium, and 8% nickel. Austenitic steels are not hardenable by heat treatment. The most familiar stainless steel is probably Type 304, sometimes called T304 or simply 304. Type 304 surgical stainless steel is an austenitic steel containing 18-20% chromium and 8-10% nickel.
Ferritic steels have ferrite (body centered cubic crystal) as their main phase. These steels contain iron and chromium, based on the Type 430 composition of 17% chromium. Ferritic steel is less ductile than austenitic steel and is not hardenable by heat treatment.
The characteristic orthorhombic martensite microstructure was first observed by German microscopist Adolf Martens around 1890. Martensitic steels are low carbon steels built around the Type 410 composition of iron, 12% chromium, and 0.12% carbon. They may be tempered and hardened. Martensite gives steel great hardness, but it also reduces its toughness and makes it brittle, so few steels are fully hardened.
There are also other grades of stainless steels, such as precipitation-hardened, duplex, and cast stainless steels. Stainless steel can be produced in a variety of finishes and textures and can be tinted over a broad spectrum of colors.
There is some dispute over whether the corrosion resistance of stainless steel can be enhanced by the process of passivation. Essentially, passivation is the removal of free iron from the surface of the steel. This is performed by immersing the steel in an oxidant, such as nitric acid or citric acid solution. Since the top layer of iron is removed, passivation diminishes surface discoloration. While passivation does not affect the thickness or effectiveness of the passive layer, it is useful in producing a clean surface for a further treatment, such as plating or painting. On the other hand, if the oxidant is incompletely removed from the steel, as sometimes happens in pieces with tight joints or corners, then crevice corrosion may result. Most research indicates that diminishing surface particle corrosion does not reduce susceptibility to pitting corrosion.
|
|
|
Stainless steel pipe fittings like elbow, bend, stubend, tee, union, reducer and nipple are manufactured to suit all types needs including high-temperature service, ordinary use and special applications.
An angular or jointed part, steel elbow are used during the installation of pipes that allow for easy connection between pipes and smoothen the flow disturbances, reduce swirl and develop highly symmetrical flow with minimal pressure loss.
The curved portion of tube or pipe, bend computes reaction force, downstream pressure, and velocities. Their are various angle in degrees to which the pipe bends are formed i.e. 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, which lessens the flow resistance and possible leakage.
|
|
Providing joints between plain end pipes and pipe fittings, steel stubend are non-corrosive, non-toxic, high abrasion resistance that are resilience to shocks and have almost unlimited lifetime usage.
A tee is used for connecting pipes of different diameters or for changing the direction of pipe runs. A common type of pipe tee is the straight tee, which has a straight-through portion and a 90-degree takeoff on one side.
provides an excellent tube & pipe end forming that suffice the need to connect two lengths of pipe together in a straight line. Before buying a reducer, buyer should make sure that they have both sizes of pipe that has to be connected.
Flanges are made for or tube. Whether set on wood, concrete, walls, or stairs, flanges can be used as slip flanges with or without a set screw and can be welded to pipe posts or anchored with set screws or expansion bolts.
A nipple coupling is a short length of pipe with a male thread on each end. It is used for extension from a fitting and at times, one may use the dielectric or insulating type of fittings.
There are two types of pipe unions. The ground joint union consists of three pieces, and the flange union is made in two parts. Both types are used for joining two pipes together and are designed so that they can be disconnected easily.
An opening or a cavity into which an inserted part is designed to fit, socket is used in a pipe with an expansion at one end to receive the end of a connecting pipe.
A movable control element, valves regulate the flow of gases, liquids or loose materials through piping by opening, closing or obstructing ports or passageways.
|
|
|
|
|
