Selecting the right stainless steel metric tubing is critical for ensuring durability, safety, and performance in everything from food processing lines to high-pressure industrial systems. Unlike generic tubing, stainless steel metric options offer precise sizing, corrosion resistance, and compatibility with global standards—but only if you choose the right type for your needs. In this guide, we’ll break down the step-by-step process to select tubing, highlight key differences from other materials (like imperial copper tubing or plastic pipes), and clarify which sizes work best for common applications involving sanitary pipes and sanitary tubing.
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Step 1: Start with Your Application (Material Matters Most)
Stainless steel metric tubing isn’t one-size-fits-all. The first question to ask: What environment will the tubing operate in?
Sanitary vs. Industrial: Choose Your Grade
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304 Stainless Steel: Ideal for mild environments (e.g., water treatment, HVAC). Resists rust and general corrosion but struggles with acids or salt.
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316L Stainless Steel: The gold standard for aggressive or sanitary settings (chemical processing, breweries, pharmaceuticals). Contains molybdenum for superior resistance to chlorides (e.g., seawater, brine) and acids (e.g., vinegar, beer).
Real-World Example: A dairy in Germany switched from 304 to 316L metric tubing after frequent rust spots contaminated milk batches—316L’s enhanced corrosion resistance solved the issue entirely, making it a top choice for sanitary tubing in food-grade facilities.
Avoid These Common Mistakes:
- Using 304 in coastal areas (salt air causes pitting).
- Skimping on “L” grade (316L has lower carbon content, reducing weld decay in high-heat applications like pasteurization, critical for sanitary pipes).
Step 2: Size Matters: Metric Dimensions Demystified
Metric tubing is defined by two key measurements: outer diameter (OD) and wall thickness (often specified by gauge or millimeters). Unlike imperial tubing (measured by inner diameter, or ID), metric sizing ensures consistency across global systems—vital for projects using sanitary pipes with standardized fittings.
How to Match Size to Application:
Pro Tip: For high-pressure systems (e.g., oil refineries), calculate burst pressure using the Barlow formula: P=2×S×tOD P = \frac{2 \times S \times t}{OD} P=OD2×S×t, where S S S is the material’s tensile strength. Most stainless steel metric tubing lists this in their specs—Eagle Valves’ 316L tubing, for example, includes a pressure rating chart for easy reference.
Step 3: Check for Certifications & Standards
Not all metric tubing meets global quality benchmarks. For critical applications like sanitary pipes, look for:
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ISO : Ensures consistent manufacturing quality.
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ASTM A269/A213: Confirms material purity and mechanical properties (mandatory for pressure systems).
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3-A Sanitary Standards: For food/pharma use—guarantees smooth inner surfaces (Ra ≤ 0.8μm) to prevent bacterial buildup in sanitary tubing.
Sanitary Red Flag: Avoid tubing with “rough” inner surfaces or unpolished welds—these are breeding grounds for pathogens in dairy or pharmaceutical lines.
Stainless Steel Metric Tubing vs. Other Materials: Why It Stands Out
Bottom Line: Stainless steel metric tubing offers the best balance of durability, corrosion resistance, and global compatibility—especially in demanding settings requiring sanitary pipes.
5 Pro Tips for Installation & Maintenance
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Use Metric-Specific Fittings: Mixing metric tubing with imperial fittings causes leaks. Brands like Eagle offer complete metric fitting lines (compression, weld, tri-clamp) for sanitary tubing setups.
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Polish Before Sanitary Use: For 3-A certified systems, ensure post-weld passivation (removes heat tint) and electropolishing (smoothens surfaces).
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Avoid Over-Tightening: Over-compressing ferrules or clamps can deform metric tubing—follow torque specs (typically 15–25 Nm for 12mm OD).
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Inspect for Stress Cracks: In cold environments, check for fatigue near bends—316L’s ductility resists this better than 304.
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Clean Regularly: Sanitary pipes need CIP (Clean-in-Place) protocols; use neutral pH cleaners to avoid damaging the stainless steel passive layer.
FAQs: Your Stainless Steel Metric Tubing Questions Answered
Q: Can I use metric tubing with imperial valves?
A: Not recommended—OD differences cause poor seals. Use metric-to-imperial adapters only as a temporary fix.
**Q: Is 304 or 316L better for brewing sanitary tubing?**A: 316L is worth the investment—beer’s hops and acids corrode 304 over time, leading to off-flavors.
Q: What’s the difference between “seamless” and “welded” metric tubing?
A: Seamless (made from solid billets) is stronger for high-pressure sanitary pipes; welded (formed from strips) is cost-effective for low-pressure uses like handrails.
Final Recommendation: Invest in Quality for Long-Term Savings
FAQs
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General Questions
What is the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel?
Stainless steel 316 has better corrosion resistance because of its higher amount of nickel and the addition of molybdenum. For more information, visit our 304/L Stainless Steel Tubing and 316/L Stainless Steel Tubing pages.
Do you offer resale price lists or pricing recommendations?
No, we do not. Please contact us regarding product pricing.
Our Products
Do you stock flat bar?
No, we only stock stainless steel and specialty alloy tubing. Please visit our Products page to view our complete offerings.
Do you stock plate or sheet?
No, we only stock stainless steel and specialty alloy tubing. Please visit our Products page to view our complete offerings.
Do you stock shapes?
No, we only stock stainless steel and specialty alloy tubing. Please visit our Products page to view our complete offerings.
Do you stock carbon steel?
No, we specialize in stainless steel and specialty alloy tubing. Our stock levels in these alloys allow us to ship promptly from inventory on hand from one of our facilities. If you require a mill run or unusual size not listed please contact us.
Do you sell pipe?
Yes, we stock select sizes of stainless steel pipe and fittings. Please contact us to verify your needs or download our pipe information PDF.
What finish is your tubing polished to?
Our import material is typically polished to 320 Grit or better. Our domestic material is bright annealed.
Do you carry DFARS material?
Yes, our domestic tubing is DFARS compliant.
Do you stock sanitary products?
No, we do not stock sanitary products. Though our stock material is not food grade, we do stock tubing that is used in the food and beverage industry where food products are not being conveyed in the tube. Explore our food and beverage product offerings.
Technical Questions
Where can I find the burst pressure ratings of tubing?
Our theoretical burst pressure ratings are based on OD and wall thickness. Explore our theoretical burst charts.
How can I convert gauge size to wall size?
Below is a list of common gauge sizes and their corresponding wall sizes:
10 gauge = .134 inches
11 gauge = .120 inches
12 gauge = .109 inches
13 gauge = .095 inches
14 gauge = .083 inches
16 gauge = .065 inches
18 gauge = .049 inches
20 gauge = .035 inches
21 gauge = .032 inches
22 gauge = .028 inches
Ordering
Do you have an order minimum?
Yes, our minimum order is a full 20 feet length for stick tubing. For coil, our minimum cut length is 50 feet.
Delivery & Shipping
Do you deliver?
Yes, we provide local, truck delivery in and around our branch locations: Houston, Seattle, Baton Rouge, and Atlanta. For non-local deliveries, we provide LTL freight shipping nationwide. For more information, including prepay, ship collect, and your area full freight-allowed amounts, contact us.
Can you ship tubing directly to my end-user customer?
Yes, we can package and "Blind Ship" material directly to your customer. We can also include your paperwork so it looks like it was shipped by you.