How do the high and low temperature resistance properties of stainless steel pipes support engineering safety under extreme conditions?
Publish Time: 2026-01-19
In modern industrial systems, pipeline systems often face harsh challenges far exceeding ambient temperature environments: from transporting hot oil at temperatures as high as 600°C in oil refineries to operating at ultra-low temperatures of -196°C in liquefied natural gas storage and transportation, the thermal stability of materials directly affects equipment operation safety, personnel safety, and environmental risk control. Among many metal pipe materials, stainless steel pipes, with their excellent wide temperature range adaptability—resisting both high-temperature oxidation and low-temperature brittle fracture—have become an irreplaceable key engineering material for extreme temperature environments.
1. High Temperature Resistance: Anti-oxidation, Strength Retention, Creep Resistance
High-quality stainless steel contains a high proportion of chromium and nickel, which can form a dense and stable chromium oxide passivation film at high temperatures, effectively preventing oxygen diffusion inward, thus significantly delaying further oxidation of the base metal. For example, 310S stainless steel can be used for extended periods below 1000°C, and its short-term tolerance temperature can even reach 1150°C, making it widely used in boiler superheaters, pyrolysis furnace tubes, and aero-engine components. More importantly, austenitic stainless steel maintains high yield strength and creep resistance even at high temperatures. Ordinary carbon steel experiences a sharp decline in strength above 400℃, making it prone to plastic deformation or pipe bursts; while stainless steel pipes retain sufficient structural load-bearing capacity in the 500–700℃ range. This "thermal strength" ensures that in high-temperature processes such as petrochemicals and power generation, fluid systems maintain sealing and geometric stability even under continuous thermal stress, preventing leaks or catastrophic failures.
2. Low-Temperature Resistance: No Brittle Transition, Ensuring Safety in Extreme Cold
Unlike carbon steel and low-alloy steel, austenitic stainless steel does not undergo a ductile-brittle transition at low temperatures. Ordinary steel may suddenly become brittle due to changes in its crystal structure at -20℃ to -50℃, fracturing upon impact; however, stainless steel, due to its face-centered cubic crystal structure, maintains excellent ductility and impact toughness even at liquid helium temperatures. This characteristic makes it a core pipe material for LNG receiving terminals, air separation units, superconducting equipment, and aerospace fuel systems. Stainless steel pipes are used to transport liquefied natural gas at -162°C. They not only withstand low-temperature shocks but also resist stress corrosion cracking caused by trace amounts of moisture in the medium, ensuring zero leakage over decades of service.
3. Thermal Cycling Stability: Coping with Frequent Temperature Changes
Many industrial processes involve repeated temperature rises and falls, requiring materials to withstand alternating stresses from thermal expansion and contraction. Stainless steel has a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion and good resistance to thermal fatigue. Combined with a reasonable pipe layout, it can effectively absorb thermal displacement, preventing weld cracking or flange leaks.
Corrosion problems are often exacerbated in high- or low-temperature environments. For example, sulfides in high-temperature flue gas accelerate oxidation, while low-temperature, humid environments easily induce chloride stress corrosion. Stainless steel pipes combine temperature resistance and corrosion resistance, remaining stable in complex media containing acids, alkalis, salts, or wet H₂S, avoiding strength degradation caused by localized corrosion and fundamentally improving the inherent safety of the system.
With its reliable performance spanning temperatures approaching 1300℃, stainless steel pipe forms the "steel backbone" of engineering safety under extreme conditions. It is not only a victory of material performance but also a practical application of the engineering philosophy that "safety is paramount." In today's era of continuous advancements in energy transition, high-end manufacturing, and deep-space and deep-sea exploration, stainless steel pipe will continue to silently and resiliently safeguard the safe passage of every drop of high-temperature molten metal and every wisp of ultra-cooled gas, becoming the undisputed cornerstone of high-quality engineering.
