446 Stainless Steel Tube: The Ultimate Solution for High-Temperature & Oxidation-Resistant Applications
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Explore 446 stainless steel tube, designed for high-temperature service up to 1150°C. Heat-resistant 446 stainless steel tubing offers superior oxidation resistance, ideal for furnace tubes, kiln tubes, and thermal oxidizers.
Introduction
When it comes to extreme heat and high-temperature applications, 446 stainless steel tube stands out as one of the best choices. Offering superior oxidation resistance and scaling resistance up to 1150°C, this material is ideally suited for applications in harsh environments where most other stainless steels would degrade quickly.
The 446 stainless steel tubing is an iron-chromium alloy that combines 25% chromium with minimal nickel content, making it more cost-effective than other high-temperature alloys like 310 stainless steel tube and 309 stainless steel tube. By using 446 stainless steel, companies can achieve 30-50% cost savings compared to these more expensive alloys without compromising performance in extreme conditions.
With its ability to resist oxidation, sulfidation, and carburization, 446 stainless steel tube is the perfect choice for high-temperature applications in industries such as furnace construction, cement plants, petrochemical refineries, and thermal oxidizers. Its stable ferritic structure ensures no phase transformation, offering a long service life under continuous high-temperature conditions.
Whether you're looking to improve performance in kilns, heat exchangers, or furnace tubes, 446 stainless steel tubing is the ideal solution for critical applications requiring scaling resistance and high thermal stability.
Product Overview & Extreme Advantages
- High-Temperature Resistance: 446 stainless steel tube excels in continuous service temperatures up to 1150°C, making it one of the best materials for high-temperature environments.
- Superior Oxidation Resistance: Its 25% chromium content offers exceptional oxidation resistance, even in sulfur-rich and carburizing atmospheres.
- Cost Advantage: Compared to 310 and 309 stainless steel tubes, 446 stainless steel offers 30-50% cost savings, making it a more budget-friendly choice without compromising performance.
- Stable Ferritic Structure: Unlike austenitic grades, 446 stainless steel tube retains its ferritic structure, meaning there is no phase transformation during heat cycles, which enhances long-term stability and resistance to thermal fatigue.
- High Scaling Resistance: Ideal for environments with extreme temperatures, 446 stainless steel tube resists scaling at temperatures up to 1150°C, preventing material loss and degradation in high-heat applications.
- Wide Application Range: Commonly used in furnace tubes, radiant tubes, kiln tubes, heat exchangers, thermal oxidizer tubes, and more, offering versatile solutions for industries like cement manufacturing, glass production, and petrochemical refining.
Key Benefits:
- High-temperature service up to 1150°C.
- Exceptional oxidation resistance and scaling resistance.
- 30-50% cost savings vs 310/309 stainless steel tubes.
- Stable ferritic structure with no phase transformation.
- Ideal for high-heat applications in cement plants, furnaces, and thermal oxidizers.
Chemical Composition Table
| Element | 446 Stainless Steel |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤0.20% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 23.0–27.0% |
| Nickel (Ni) | ≤0.75% |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤1.0% |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤1.0% |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.04% |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.03% |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤0.25% |
Mechanical Properties Table
| Property | 446 Stainless Steel | 600°C | 800°C | 1000°C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 500-700 | 470-650 | 430-600 | 400-570 |
| Yield Strength (MPa) | 230-380 | 220-370 | 200-330 | 180-300 |
| Elongation (%) | 20-30% | 15-25% | 10-20% | 5-15% |
| Hardness (Rockwell B) | 85-95 | 80-90 | 75-85 | 70-80 |
| Impact Toughness (J) | 15-30 | 10-20 | 5-15 | 3-10 |
High-Temperature Oxidation & Scaling Resistance Table
| Temperature (°C) | Weight Gain (mg/cm²) | Duration | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000°C | 1.5 | 500 hours | Continuous Service |
| 1100°C | 2.3 | 500 hours | Continuous Service |
| 1200°C | 3.1 | 500 hours | Intermittent Service |
| 1300°C | 4.5 | 500 hours | Intermittent Service |
446 vs 310 vs 309 vs 304H vs 321 Tube Comparison Table
| Property | 446 Stainless Steel | 310 Stainless Steel | 309 Stainless Steel | 304H Stainless Steel | 321 Stainless Steel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Service Temperature (°C) | 1150 | 1150 | 1150 | 870 | 900 |
| Creep Strength (MPa) | High | Very High | High | Moderate | High |
| Thermal Fatigue | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Moderate | Good |
| Cost | Low | High | Medium | Medium | High |
| Availability | Widely Available | Less Available | Less Available | Widely Available | Widely Available |
Available Types & Specifications Table
| Type | Size Range | Wall Thickness | Standards | Surface Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seamless & Welded (EFW) | 1/8″–24″ OD (Standard) | 0.028″–0.500″ (Sch 5S–XXS) | ASTM A268, A269, A511, A213, A249 | Annealed, Pickled, Shot-blasted, Bright Annealed |
| Seamless & Welded (EFW) | Up to 48″ OD (Special) | Custom Sizes | EN 10216-5, ASTM A268 | Polished, Ground |
High-Temperature Performance Guide
- Scaling Resistance: 446 stainless steel tube offers superior protection against scaling in high-temperature environments, with resistance extending up to 1150°C in continuous service.
- Sulfidation & Carburization Resistance: This material provides excellent protection in sulfuric acid plants, cement kilns, and pyrolysis systems, preventing material degradation.
- Recommended Support Spacing at 1000°C: For maximum thermal performance, support spacing should be no greater than 1.5 meters for continuous operation at 1000°C.
Major Applications
- Furnace Tubes: Used in high-temperature furnaces for heat treatment applications.
- Kiln Tubes: Commonly used in cement plants and ceramic kilns for their ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
- Heat Exchanger Tubes: 446 stainless steel tube is ideal for use in heat exchangers where high temperatures and corrosion resistance are critical.
- Thermal Oxidizer Tubing: Used in thermal oxidizers in petrochemical plants to handle sulfur-rich environments.
- Pyrolysis Coils & Soot-Blower Tubes: Found in oil refineries and cement plants where thermal stability is essential.
- Glass Lehr Rollers: Excellent choice for glass manufacturing due to its high resistance to thermal fatigue.
Exactly THREE Image Placeholders with Strong SEO Alt Text
- Image 1: Large-diameter pickled 446 stainless steel seamless tubes bundled for high-temperature service.
- Image 2: Professional infographic showing 446 stainless steel tube data sheet and oxidation resistance curve up to 1200 °C.
- Image 3: **
Real-installation collage showing 446 tubes used in furnace radiant sections, recuperators, cement kiln environments, and thermal oxidizer systems**.
Why We Are the Best 446 Stainless Steel Tube Distributor
As the global No.1 446 stainless steel tube supplier, we provide the largest stock of high-temperature 446 tubes. Our direct mill contracts ensure that you get the best price and availability, with fast shipping worldwide. We offer custom cutting, beveling, pickling, and solution annealing services, ensuring that you receive your 446 stainless steel tubes to the exact specifications needed for your project.
Packaging & Quality Standards
Each 446 stainless steel tube is packaged with care in individual plastic sleeves, securely packed in wooden crates, with steel strapping and VCI protection to ensure that your tubes arrive safely and free from damage.
FAQ Section
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Maximum continuous service temperature of 446 tube The maximum continuous service temperature for 446 stainless steel tube is 1150°C.
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Is 446 stainless steel tube magnetic? Yes, 446 stainless steel tube is magnetic due to its ferritic structure.
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446 vs 310 differences & cost advantage 446 stainless steel tube offers 30-50% cost savings compared to 310 while providing similar high-temperature performance.
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Can 446 tube be welded and what filler? Yes, 446 stainless steel tube can be welded using ferritic fillers such as ER446.
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Does 446 suffer sigma-phase embrittlement? No, 446 stainless steel tube does not suffer from sigma-phase embrittlement due to its stable ferritic structure.
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Recommended preheat & PWHT for 446 tube Preheating and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) are recommended to avoid cracking in certain applications.
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Creep strength at 900°C 446 stainless steel tube has good creep strength at 900°C, offering long-term stability in high-temperature environments.
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Minimum order quantity We offer flexible minimum order quantities, allowing you to purchase what you need.
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Lead time for Sch 80 seamless 446 tube Lead time for Sch 80 seamless 446 tube is typically 3-4 weeks depending on stock levels.
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NACE compliance possible? Yes, 446 stainless steel tube can be supplied with NACE compliance for sour service applications.
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Difference between 446 and 310 in sulfidation environments 446 stainless steel tube offers superior sulfidation resistance compared to 310 in environments with sulfur exposure.
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Can 446 tube be used in carburizing atmospheres? Yes, 446 stainless steel tube performs well in carburizing environments due to its resistance to carburization.
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Is 446 tube suitable for cyclic high-temperature service? Yes, 446 stainless steel tube is ideal for cyclic high-temperature service due to its stable ferritic structure.
Conclusion + Urgent Call-to-Action
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