Have you ever heard of Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section)? Among the different families of stainless steel, this one presents a combination of high mechanical properties and high resistance to corrosion.
With a very versatile application, this type of material has made important contributions to the resolution of corrosion problems common to several industries.
In this article, you will better understand what duplex stainless steel is, its applicability, composition, and its benefits. Follow it below.
What Is Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section)?
This type of stainless steel appeared in the 1950s, encouraged by a scenario of nickel shortages. However, it was only in the 1970s that it began to produce in coils and plates on an industrial scale, also due to the lack of nickel in the market.
At that time, this steel registered large growth, especially in the oil and gas, pulp and paper, and chemical and petrochemical industries. This is because Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section) helped to solve some of the difficulties common to these companies, such as pitting and stress corrosion.
The development of Rolled Round Tubing
Since then, the development of stainless steel Rolled Round Tubing has evolved a lot, improving its performance, increasing its versatility, and being adopted by most different industries.
Its name is due to its chemical composition, which has the homogeneous presence of two metallurgical phases - austenite and ferrite -, thus presenting a biphasic microstructure.
What are the types of Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section)?
Generally, the different types of duplex stainless steel are divided into three groups, organized according to their chemical composition, namely:
Low alloy Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section):
Due to the lower content of elements in this type of alloy, these are usually more affordable materials, as they do not have molybdenum in their composition.
Medium Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section):
This group of Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section) includes the most widely used types. This family features corrosion resistance intermediate between common austenitic TP304L/316L and super austenitic stainless steels with 5 and 6% molybdenum.
High Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section):
This group is also called super duplex steel. That's because it has high corrosion resistance – comparable to super austenitic. More specifically, its high resistance to pitting corrosion also stands out.
What are the main advantages brought by Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section)?
Among the properties of this material that can be advantageous for your company's projects, we can highlight:
- Great corrosion resistance.
- Affordable cost.
- Mechanical resistance is superior to other types of steel.
- Good resistance to abrasion and fatigue.
- Low thermal expansion.
- High resistance to stress corrosion cracking and localized corrosion in places containing chlorides – such as the marine environment.
- Adequate weldability and machinability.
- It does not require post-welding heat treatment.
- High yield limit.
- Resistance to organic and inorganic acids, even in the presence of contaminants.
- Allows weight reduction of structures.
- Good tenacity and ductility.
- Great durability.
- Sustainable as it can be 100% recyclable.
What are the applications of Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section)?
Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section) has many applications.
In addition, the material is common in:
- Heat exchangers.
- Moreover, Paper machines.
- Drums for washing machines.
- Similarly, Oil platforms.
- Road and cargo ship tanks.
- Train cars.
- Furthermore, Machinery for the food industry.
- Civil construction (on bridges, for example).
- Street lighting poles.
- Equipment such as residential heaters.
Stainless steel is a very versatile material that can be applied in different business segments and projects. That's because it has several differentials that add advantages in its use. However, for this, it is important to know how to maintain the stainless steel rolled round tubing to ensure the performance and durability of the material.
How to conserve hot rolled round tubing?
In this article, learn more about this metal, its benefits, and see tips to conserve stainless steel. Follow it below.
One of the most striking characteristics of this material is that, unlike common steels that undergo the rusting process, stainless steel is very resistant to corrosion. This is due to the protective film formed by chromium in contact with oxygen.
Moreover, it makes the material impermeable. For this, stainless steel needs to have at least 10.50% chromium in its composition.
Stainless Steel Differentials
Among the attributes that make this material advantageous for different types of projects, the following stand out:
- Stainless steel has great durability.
- Material very resistant to corrosion and heat.
- Adds refinement, elegance, and modernity to the decor.
- A Sustainablematerial, being 100% recyclable..
- It is very easy to clean.
- Similarly, it's a hygienic material.
- It has low surface tension.
- Moreover, it demands low cost and cares for maintenance.
- It has chemical stability.
- Great value for money.
Tips For Preserving Stainless Steel
As we have seen, among the advantages of stainless steel are the material's beauty, strength, and durability. Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section) is very easy to clean and maintain. However, for this, it is necessary to adopt some precautions to properly preserve its properties and benefits, such as:
1. Adopt A Frequent Cleaning Routine
Maintaining a cleaning routine is essential to preserve the characteristics of stainless steel and prevent stains from appearing recurrently.
And it is possible to do this daily cleaning in a practical and simple way, just with a dry cloth, without chemical products. This will be enough to remove dust from the surface of the material.
2. Be Careful With Stain Removal
Sometimes the stainless-steel material has handling stains on Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section). To remove them, use soap and water or mild detergent. Finally, dry the area with a soft Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section), clean, dry, and absorbent cloth.
However, if the stain is painted, it may be necessary to apply an alkaline or solvent-based paint remover. To conserve the material, do not use knives or scrapers, as this could scratch the stainless-steel object.
3. Do heavy cleaning with great care and with the right products
To carry out heavier cleaning or to remove more resistant particles, a metal polisher can be used in more extreme situations.
Another option is to pre-immerse the piece in warm detergent in order to soften the residue. Then, if the problem on your Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section) persists, you can try dissolving baking soda in household alcohol until this mixture forms a paste, and applying it with a soft cloth or nylon sponge. Finally, rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
4. Avoid chemicals and other products that can harm stainless steel
Products with hydrochloric acid - also known as muriatic acid -, bleaches and silverware polishes should be avoided. Rugged steel wool and bushings also present a high risk of scratching the material and damaging its protective layer, opening points prone to corrosion.
5. To Conserve Stainless Steel, Pay Attention When Cleaning
This is a detail that makes all the difference to facilitate cleaning and preserve the stainless- steel material. Do not perform circular movements, especially when using heavier products, and always clean in the correct direction – using the lines that stainless steel has as a base.
6. Be Careful When Stocking Stainless Steel Materials
Avoid leaving your Hot Rolled Round Tubing (Hollow Section) items exposed to the sun or in locations that may be contaminated by airborne particles such as dust and paint.
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