FAQ's on Welded Steel SS316 Pipe

In this article you will find the most frequently asked questions (FAQ's) and answers about Steel and Stainless Steel pipe or tubing. Please read on!

  Q: What is the "Official" name for stainless? 
  A: Stainless Steel. It literally means, "steel with no stain".

  Q: Does Stainless Steel Rust?   
  A: Yes, it can rust under certain harsh environmental conditions. 
        However, Stainless Steel will generally have a much higher res 
        istance to rust than steel in normal environmental conditions.

  Q: What does the acronym SUS mean? 
  A: SUS stands for Steel Used Stainless.

  Q: What does SUS with an "L" stand for? 
  A: The L indicates "low carbon" SUS. The lower carbon content 
        improves the corrosion resistance of the material especially 
        after weldi

  Q: What is the chemical symbol for Stainless Steel? 
  A: There is no chemical symbol for Stainless Steel.

  Q: Can Stainless Steel be magnetized? 
  A: Yes. Ferritic and Martensitic Stainless Steels are magnetic. 
        Austenitic Stainless Steels are not. Please refer to the Material 
        Qualities of Stainless and Steel Pipe section for more information.

  Q: How does Stainless Steel compare to Steel in weight? 
  A: The specific gravity of Stainless is 7.93 (for SUS 304) and 
        Steel is 7.87, therefore they weigh nearly the same.

  Q: Can Stainless Steel be heat treated to increase the hardness? 
  A: Martensitic Stainless Steel can be hardened using quenching 
        and tempering. Ferritic and Austenitic Stainless Steels cannot.

  Q: Is there a difference in thermal conductivity between Stainless 
       Steel and Steel? 
  A: Yes. Stainless Steel has a lower thermal conductivity rate than 
        steel; approximately 1/3 to 1/5th depending on the material.

  Q: Is there a difference in electrical conductivity between Stainless 
       Steel and Steel? 
  A: Yes. Steel is generally more conductive than Stainless Steel. 
        Steel has resistivity in the range of 10~20 Ωm, while Stainless 
        has a resistivity of approximately 60~72 Ωm.

  Q: What is the market price or price indicator of Stainless Steel 
       materials? 
  A: The price for Stainless material fluctuates with the pricing of other 
        raw materials such as: Steel, Chrome, Nickel and others. 
        The general market price indicator is the London Metal Exchange 
       (LME). Here is a link: (Insert LME link here)

  Here is Welded Steel SS316 Pipe a comparison chart of the material standards and names used in the 
    USA, Japan, China, Germany and Russia (reference only)