1. Automotive industry
Stainless steel is mainly used in exhaust systems, accounting for more than half of the stainless steel used in automobiles, of which 80% is ferritic stainless steel. Exhaust systems typically use grades such as 409L and 436L. The exhaust gas needs to pass through various components before being discharged through the muffler, which mainly uses stainless steel welded pipes. Stainless steel pipes in the automotive industry account for about 1.5% of the total downstream demand, and the ratio of seamless pipes to welded pipes is about 2:1.
2. Petrochemical industry (including fertilizer industry)
The industry has a high demand for stainless steel pipes, mainly seamless pipes. Common specifications include 304, 321, 316, 316L, 347, and 317L, with outer diameters ranging from ￠ 18 to ￠ 610 and wall thicknesses ranging from 6mm to 50mm. Applications include furnace tubes, material conveying tubes, and heat exchanger tubes.
3. Fluid transportation of water and gas
Compared with cast iron, carbon steel, and plastic pipes, stainless steel pipes and related water conveyance equipment have superior corrosion resistance. They are used for water preparation, storage, transportation, purification, recycling, and seawater desalination. The annual demand is approximately 25000 tons.
4. Equipment manufacturing and maintenance
More than 20000 tons of stainless steel pipes are consumed annually. The industry mainly uses sanitary or antibacterial grade stainless steel pipes. Seamless pipes made of imported SUS304 and 316L meet specific requirements of the food and biopharmaceutical industries. Antibacterial stainless steel combines the advantages and excellent antibacterial performance of ordinary stainless steel, and its demand in kitchen equipment, food industry workbenches and utensils, medical equipment, daily tableware, towel racks, and refrigerator shelves is constantly increasing.
