Stainless Steel Insulated Tube
What is stainless steel insulated tube?
Instead of having to insulate small-diameter tubing systems at great cost and effort after installation, it is much more labour and cost-effective to use stainless steel pre-insulated tubes when conveying steam, hot or cold liquids, gases, and refrigerants.
Carrier tube
A single seamless stainless steel carrier tube is sheathed with a variety of one or more insulating materials like polyurethane, aerogels, foam, PVC, nonhygroscopic glass fibre, or heat-reflective foil, depending on the specific application.
Insulating layers
The layer of insulating material forms a barrier between the stainless-steel carrier tube and an outer protective jacket to improve the thermal efficiency of the tubing system and prevent the transfer of heat or cold to, or from, the environment.
Protective layers
A weatherproof outer protective jacket, typically made from PVC or urethane, protects the tubing from damage, prevents corrosion and improves flexibility and pressure ratings.
The insulating and protective layers must both be flexible enough to allow for thermal expansion and contraction, vibrations, impact, and bending.
What is stainless steel insulated tube used for?
These jackets shield the gas or liquids transported in the tube against heat or cold, conserve energy, and protect the tubes against the weather. It also safeguards people, animals, or temperature-sensitive equipment, touching or near the tubes.
Insulated tubes are particularly useful in applications where weatherproofing and energy conservation are important, such as steam supply, condensate return, and gas and liquid transport lines.
Special Metal Alloys offers Thermoplastic Polyurethane TPU and PVC single jacketed insulated stainless steel seamless tubes in the full range of imperial and metric sizes from 6mm to 25mm outer diameter, and wall thicknesses. Specialised hose connections are also available in various sizes.
Coils, fixed lengths, or cut lengths are supplied for installation in new projects as well as existing cable trays, angles, channels, struts and I-beams. Termination kits are also available to protect the ends of stainless steel tubing systems.
Contact Special Metal Alloys for specialist advice, or get a quote online, call +44 (0)161 278 2386 or email sales@specialmetalalloys.co.uk.
Which industries use stainless steel insulated tubes?
Stainless-steel pre-insulated tubing systems are essential components in various stages of chemical processing; pharmaceutical manufacturing; power generation plants of nearly all types; pulp and paper processing; mineral and mining operations; oil, gas, and petrochemical processing; desalination plants; water treatment facilities for drinking water, wastewater, boiler water, and raw industrial water; marine applications, HVAC, and refrigeration purposes.
How is seamless stainless steel insulated tubing produced?
Stainless steel carrier tube
Various methods are used to produce seamless stainless steel carrier tubes, most commonly a process called extrusion. A central hole is drilled into a length of solid bar, called a billet, and then hollowed in a piercing mill by being hydraulically pushed through an aperture (called a die) and over a mandrel. Depending on the requirements of the final product, this could be done in a hot or cold process.
Hot extrusion is done at very high temperatures (about 1100 °C) while cold extrusion forces the billet through the die at room temperature. Cold extrusion creates tighter tolerances, better surface finish, and higher strength.
Insulating and protective layers
To ensure an even thickness, without joints or gaps, the insulation and protective layers are normally applied either in a vacuum-sealed process or by injecting the insulation material into the cavity between the carrier tube and the protective outer layer.
What are the advantages of stainless steel insulated tubes?
- Quick, compact, one-step installation, even in tight spaces and in extreme parameters,
- Improved weatherproof insulation and protection,
- Lower installation costs than field insulated tubing,
- Energy conservation and reduced operating costs,
- Improving temperature tolerance of the stainless steel carrier tubes,
- Improved safety and external protection against heat- or cold-related injuries,
- Better thermal insulation against temperature transfer through radiation, conduction or convection, thereby maintaining crucial operating temperatures,
- Improved pressure resistance,
- Enhancing the advantages of stainless steel tubing, such as durability, corrosion resistance, etc.
- Lightweight for delicate areas, or where weight is a deciding factor,
- Minimal maintenance, particularly in hard-to-reach areas,
- Prevent evaporation and leaks by providing an additional seal and protecting the carrier tube against punctures,
- Minimise vapour and icicles from forming, especially in cryogenic applications,
- Improved durability and extended service life.
Why should you only use the best quality stainless steel insulated tubing?
Insulated stainless steel tubes are typically used in critical areas with extreme parameters, requiring the best quality to ensure durability and low maintenance. These tubes are usually also in hard-to-reach places that will make replacement expensive.
Special Metal Alloys supplies only the best quality insulated tubes intended for the most aggressive and high-risk areas, manufactured by the world’s leading producers that specialise in the field of heat and corrosion-resistant materials.
We deliver anywhere in the world and our logistics partners will handle all import/export documentation on your behalf.
See our product page for more specifications. Contact us for a quote online, call one of our expert consultants on +44 (0)161 278 2386 or email sales@specialmetalalloys.co.uk.