Valves are frequently employed in industrial settings for a variety of applications. Although they exist in a variety of materials, stainless steel metal-made valves are now the most popular kind for industrial purposes. Let’s talk about the benefits of stainless steel valves.
Durability
Stainless steel valves provide several significant advantages over valves made of other types of material, including being incredibly dependable and durable. The stainless steel SS 316/SS316 L valves can be used in any environment and do not experience any problems whether utilized in extremely hot or extremely cold temperatures. A business may depend on stainless steel valves to run and stay in good condition for a very long period if they want to buy high-quality valves. Given their durability and dependability, it is a wise investment that will pay you in the long run.
Resistance to High Pressure
The ideal material to use for valves that must function well under pressure is stainless steel. Because stainless steel is such a robust and resilient metal, valves constructed of it can bear pressure and won’t break or fracture like valves made of plastic, PVC, brass, or bronze. Always be sure to know how many psi the valve will be exposed to. Stainless steel valves may be the only ones that are made to be able to withstand pressure at very high rates of pressure without being damaged.
Free From Corrosion
The alloying components of stainless steel, such as nickel, molybdenum, and chromium, react with airborne oxygen to generate a protective thin oxide layer that acts as a corrosion-resistant coating on the metal surface. Because of this, using stainless steel valves in industrial settings where the metal may rust or corrode quickly is a better choice. Additionally, there are other stainless steel variations including enhanced stainless steel, duplex steel, and exotic steel that further enhance the material’s strength, durability, and corrosion resistance.
Numerous Applications
Stainless steel valves can be used in the majority of applications because they have the qualities mentioned above, such as durability, superior corrosion resistance, and the capacity to endure a wide range of temperatures and pressure. Any procedure involving the transmission of a corrosive, hot, or pressurized substance, such as a gas or liquid, can use these valves. applications in chemical, industrial, and seawater environments.
GRADE 316
The most popular stainless steel on the market, after 304, is 316. The addition of 2% to 3% molybdenum to an austenitic grade further increases corrosion resistance. Due to its superior resistance to chloride corrosion compared to other stainless steel grades, it is frequently referred to as marine-grade stainless steel.
The material has excellent forming and welding properties. While Type 316L can be used, Grade 316 will not require post-weld annealing to promote maximum corrosion resistance.
GRADE 316 STAINLESS STEEL APPLICATIONS
Due to its improved corrosion-resistant qualities when compared to Grade 304, this material’s typical applications are now widely used. Heat exchangers, pharmaceutical equipment, refineries, the food industry, mining, process industries, etc. all use type 316 stainless steel.
Global Supply Line frequently stocks 316 & 316L steel valves with dual certification, indicating that both have qualities and compositions that are compliant with both steel kinds.
Although Type 316H is not included in this review, it should be noted that it is designed to operate continuously at temperatures considerably higher than 316/316L. 316L has a little lower maximum temperature rating and maximum cold working pressure rating than 316, which is also something to keep in mind.
THE ADVANTAGES OF TYPE 316L STAINLESS STEEL
- Carbon precipitation during the welding process is eliminated by low carbon concentration.
- Utilizable in very corrosive settings
- due to the addition of molybdenum, improved anti-corrosion spectrum
- Chemical composition and mechanical characteristics are quite comparable to Grade 316.
- Global Supply Line frequently stocks 316 & 316L valves with dual certification since they have similar characteristics and have a composition that is compliant with both steel kinds.