Stainless Steel Duct

Stainless Steel Duct: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

In this guide, you’re going to learn everything about stainless steel duct such as cost, size, fabrication, quality standards and applications, amongst others.

So, if you want to be an expert in these ventilation duct systems, read this guide.

What is Stainless Steel Duct?

It refers to a type of ducting component made from a stainless steel material used in numerous ductwork applications.

It exhibits various inherent features, which make it one of the preferable materials in ducting systems.

It is available in different shapes, designs, and sizes, which is vital, especially when it comes to selecting a suitable unit for your requirements.

Stainless steel duct

What are the Advantages of Stainless Steel Duct?

Stainless steel duct reveals several advantageous reasons making it one of the popular choices in many ductwork applications.

Some of the beneficial reasons you’ll attain from using this component include the following;

1) It is easy to clean and maintain. You’ll only need to use the necessary non-aggressive washing detergents to clean the surface material of this component when the need arises.

2) It contains a special healthy dose of chromium compound, which enhances its corrosion resistance ability.

The significance of this is it improves the overall durability of this unit, which is also vital in cutting costs.

3) It has a tender surface, which is excellent as far as allowing free flow of air within the ducting system is concerned.

Ultimately, this enhances the overall efficiency of the component.

4) It is easy to fabricate it, which is essential since you can choose to customize it to suit your definite requirements.

5) It is available in different shapes, sizes, and designs, which is vital because it allows you to choose the specific one suitable for your requirements.

6) It is effective to use in both high and low-pressure areas as well as negative pressure settings. Additionally, it helps in reducing noise levels within the ductwork system.

What are the Application Areas for Stainless Steel Duct?

HVAC system – Stainless steel duct is broadly used in several types of HVAC ventilation units.

It is vital in this equipment since it helps to enhance efficiency, durability, and quality of air heating and cooling.

Food processing – It is also used in different companies, which deal in food processing and packaging.

In this instance, the stainless steel duct is fundamental because it is rust free and safe from contamination.

This helps in enhancing hygiene, which is critical in food handling.

Pharmaceutical production – It is also common in pharmaceutical manufacturing companies.

This component is vital in this application because it offers smooth surfaces, which prevent the product from getting caught in the ducts.

And this helps in avoiding the possibility of contamination in the process.

Fume and dust removal – It is popular in factories, which deal with the extraction of different types of fumes for a wide range of applications.

Stainless steel is airtight and has incredible resistance to high pressure, thus making it suitable for this application.

Wastewater management – Most of the ducting system in wastewater management plants utilize stainless steel material.

This component is strong and can withstand all the various punishment it might be subjected to in this setting.

Particle transportation – Stainless steel is also ideal for the transportation of different types of particles in various industries.

It also comes in handy in conveying of such particles in a production process.

It hardly leaks and has better resistance to several elements, making it a better option for this application.

Is Stainless Steel Duct Watertight?

Most definitely!

This component is engineered in a manner, which guarantees zero leakage.

The design construction also helps in reinforcing its strength, thus making it highly resistant to pressure.

Additionally, the different joints are also reinforced using airtight clamp-connect tubing and lock-forming technology to guarantee exceptional water-tightness.

What is the difference between Stainless Steel Duct and Standard Ductwork?

 Stainless steel duct

Ideally, stainless steel duct offers more reliability, efficiency, and flexibility compared to standard ductwork.

This is apparent from the overall design construction of stainless steel duct, which incorporates various components depending on the shape and size.

Secondly, leakage possibility in stainless steel duct tends to be relatively lower than in standard ductwork.

Most of the stainless steel ducting components rarely have sharp edges.

And this is essential since it reduces pressure joints within the component and, ultimately, preventing leakage.

This is contrary to standard ductwork, which in most cases display sharp edges hence enhancing chances of leakage.

What is the Best Material Grade for Stainless Steel Duct?

Essentially, the most suitable material grade for this component is largely dependent on the specific environment and the application.

Even so, the highly regarded material grades ideal for different applications are 304 and 316.

Both offer reliability, strength, and necessary resistance to unfavorable conditions.

However, the difference between these two stainless steel grades is 316 contains an alloy known as molybdenum, and 304 does not.

This exact alloy is vital since it enhances the corrosion resistance of 316 drastically.

And this is favorable, particularly for more saline and chloride exposed environments.

And this is what makes 316 a better grade for outdoor applications.

304 also offers better results in most applications.

It is economical and practical for different surroundings.

Therefore, depending on the unique demands and needs for your application, you can choose either of these two grades.

What Factors do you Consider when Looking for Stainless Steel Duct?

The critical elements you need to consider when purchasing stainless steel duct include the following;

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 Stainless steel duct

Material grade – Stainless steel is available in various types of grades based on the specific alloy.

The need and demands of your applications should determine the right type of stainless steel you should use for your application.

Customization – You also need to consider the customization element when selecting this component.

It is important because it makes it easy for you to figure out the exact design you require for your projects.

Thickness – It is another fundamental aspect you should never overlook when choosing a suitable stainless steel duct.

Of course, they come in various thicknesses since varied applications are unique in terms of size.

Brand – It is also an imperative element since it enables you to find the best quality component, which offers reliability.

Regarding brand, it is always vital to pick relatively reputable brands, which demonstrate consistency in this industry.

Application – It is the overall factor, which determines the exact type of stainless steel you’ll acquire.

When purchasing this component, it is always important to ensure it fits the unique demands and needs of your particular application.

How is the Stainless Steel Duct Manufactured?

It is quite an involving process, and it also depends on the particular type or design of stainless steel duct you are manufacturing.

The general process, however, includes the following steps;

• You need to ensure all the materials you need for making the stainless duct are ready.

In this case, you’ll need to prepare stainless steel 304 or 316, of course, depending on the specific grade you require.

• Then pass your preferable stainless steel material through the mills.

While at it, ensure it meets your precise requirements.

• Cut the materials into narrower pieces then process according to match the specifications.

In this process, a rough leveler will flatten the material before conveying it through the edge trimmer for formation.

• Then pass the material through welding and pinching to create duct pieces before you cut and inspect them for quality and suitability.

Nevertheless, this process might vary slightly, depending on the definite shape of the stainless steel duct you are manufacturing.

What are the Technical Specifications for Stainless Steel Duct?

Stainless steel duct exhibits some of the best inherent features for a wide range of ducting applications, including the following;

• It has high tensile strength and can as well withstand high pressure
• It displays incredible resistance to corrosion against numerous chemical and other natural corrosives
• It exhibits excellent toughness at cryogenic temperatures.
• It has exceptional forming and drawing characteristics.
• It portrays seamless elevated temperature properties.

How can you Cut Stainless Steel Duct to Size?

Stainless steel ducting system

When cutting stainless steel duct to size, it is necessary to figure out the exact dimensions you want to reduce to size.

In essence, this component comes in various shapes hence the need to determine the definite angle or dimension you are cutting to size.

It, therefore, implies you have to consider the thickness, diameter, gauge, and length of this component when sizing this component.

Nevertheless, you can use various cutting techniques to reduce the size of this component, such as hack saw, jack saw, circular saw, welding, and a grinder, among others.

It merely depends on the part you are cutting, the ideal angle, thickness, accuracy, and urgency needed.

What is the Suitable Thickness for Stainless Steel Duct?

The ideal thickness for this component is dependent on several factors surrounding its specific application.

Mostly, applications, which require high velocity and pressure require stainless steel duct, which is relatively thicker.

It is what enables it to withstand the specific amount of pressure it is subjected to.

Furthermore, if you are going for a customized unit, you can as well consider personalized thickness depending on the specific demands of your project.

Therefore, the suitable thickness for this unit depends on the type of application and, to a great extent, the preference of the customer.

Are there any Disadvantages of Stainless Steel Duct?

Of course, this unit has its fair share of shortcomings, albeit a few, which include the following;

• It is relatively difficult to break it down or nest it hence increasing the transportation load. This, in some cases, can be quite expensive and inconveniencing.
• Insulating a stainless steel duct must be carried out from the exterior side. In most instances, this is usually challenging and relatively costly.
• It is a bit tricky to fabricate this component to offer some surfaces for branch tap in particularly in a branch and tuck design.
• It is also difficult to adapt this component to any building height restriction.

Is there Size Limitation in Stainless Steel Duct?

Not at all!

This unit is available in a wide range of sizes, depending on the varied applications.

Many suppliers, of course, produce standard sizes for exact applications.

However, you can always order for custom-made sizes, which fit into your project’s requirements.

Which Ways can you use to Maintain Stainless Steel Duct?

You can use several ways to maintain this component as a way of enabling it to stay in shape and continuously offer efficiency.

For instance, if it is ductwork with joints, always check the different joints to determine if there is any loose one.

In that case, you need to tighten all the loose joints to enable the component to stay input.

Another way is by insulating this ducting unit and regularly replacing the insulation material.

Insulation plays a critical role, especially in preventing leakages, noise levels, temperature, and energy loss.

You can also choose to clean it often using different non-aggressive washing detergents.

It is vital because it removes away debris and dust, which could accumulate on the surface material of this component.

Of course, some of the substances can harm this component in the long run leading to rusting.

In essence, if possible, always ensure you clean the surface of the stainless steel ducts.

Can you Insulate Stainless Steel Duct?

Most definitely!

In fact, if you are using stainless steel duct for HVAC systems in unconditioned areas like basement, ceiling, and floors, insulation is necessary.

Insulating this component helps in making sure the duct system maintains the required temperature, and it won’t necessarily leak out.

Ultimately, this helps to prevent energy loss, which in most cases, results in overworking the HVAC unit and high utility bills.

Is Stainless Steel Duct Eco-friendly?

Absolutely correct!

Ideally, this component is regarded as a “green” choice since it utilizes reduced energy consumption during production.

It also offers a better choice when it comes to safety compared to other numerous materials.

Stainless steel duct tends to resist moisture and condensation, which are known to be harmful since they can lead accumulation of hazardous mildew and mold.

And this is, of course, necessary particularly for industries dealing with drawing mists and other compounds out of air.

Furthermore, a stainless steel duct is considered 100% recyclable.

It thus implies it is easy to turn it into new metal, be it carbon or stainless steel at an incredibly high rate.

The essence of this is it helps in keeping this material out of landfills, thus reducing its possible adverse effects on natural resources.

All these are clear indications stainless steel is safe and friendly to the environment.

What are the Available Design Options for Stainless Steel Duct?

The design options for stainless steel ducts are quite a number.

And the availability of the same depends on the supplier.

But some of the common designs you are likely to find in the market include the following;

Spiral stainless steel duct – It is a design, which comes in a cylindrical shape but has some slits on its surface.

It is rigid, attractive, versatile, and can be used both for indoor and outdoor applications.

It is also watertight and hardly leaks, especially if installed appropriately.

Stainless steel spiral duct

Rectangular stainless steel duct – It takes the shape of longitudinal rectangle tubing used in various elements of a ducting system.

It is sturdy, appealing to the eye, and reliable when it comes to efficiency in various applications.

Rectangular stainless steel duct

Clamp together stainless steel duct – It is a design, which utilizes a rolled lip formed at the edge of all parts of this component.

Different pieces of this component are joined together, gasketed over-center clamp.

Flanged stainless steel duct – It refers to the design with a rolled angle with specifically punched holes on flanges.

Typically, they use bolts to pull the flanges together and are usually available in a wide range of sizes.

Flexible stainless steel duct –  These are special types of stainless steel duct systems you can easily bend according to your unique specifications.

Flexible stainless steel duct

Can you get a Custom-made Stainless Steel Duct?

Absolutely yes!

Nowadays, a larger percentage of the order many suppliers receive from customers is for personalized stainless steel duct units.

The essence here is to ensure you get the particular design, size, or shape of this component, which meets the demands of your project.

Even so, it is always imperative to ensure you inquire from your preferred supplier to find out whether they can provide the customized units.

This also makes it easy for you to confirm other details surrounding the manufacturing of customized stainless steel duct.

What is the Suitable Length for a Stainless Steel Duct?

The ideal length for this component depends on the precise application or project.

Some will require longer components, whereas others will need somewhat shorter ducts.

What you need to do here is ensure you figure out the exact dimensions of your projects then reduce the size of the component accordingly.

If the application requires longer stainless steel ducts, you can always use different types of accessories and fitting to join them accordingly.

These accessories help, especially where the application surface is a bit complicated or uneven.

What Quality Standards does Stainless Steel Conform to?

It conforms to several quality standards, both international and local.

And this is imperative since it helps in enhancing the efficiency, quality, safety, and functionality of this component.

Some of the key quality standards it complies with include the following;

ASTM – It is a quality standard, which designs and publishes deliberate accord technical criteria that this product needs to conform to.

It, therefore, implies a stainless steel duct conforming to this standard meets all the customer and legal requirements.

CE – It is a standard, which assesses and authenticates product suitability as well as conformity to safety, environmental, and health requirements.

ISO 9001 – It is a quality standard, which approves the suitability of a manufacturer to produce quality products consistently.

A supplier with ISO 9001 certification indicates it conforms to all requirements, which meet the legal and market requirements.

SMACNA – It is a policy guiding the operation standards revolving around the HVAC industry and HVAC systems in general.

It sets standards and regulates the types of components suitable for HVAC units.

SGS – This quality standard provides scrutiny, verification, assessment, and certification of this product’s suitability to market and legal needs.

UL – It is an agency in charge of evaluating different aspects surrounding the suitability of the product to the specific minimum requirements.

Does Stainless Steel Duct Tolerate High Temperatures?

Absolutely right!

The materials used for manufacturing this component have a high tolerance to extreme temperatures.

It thus implies an ordinary stainless steel duct can withstand heat and high temperatures without degrading or distorting.

How long can a Stainless Steel Duct Last?

Generally, this component is naturally durable since it is formed from hardy materials, which are highly resistant.

Even so, the longevity of stainless steel varies depending on numerous prevailing factors.

One of these factors is the actual conditions, both environmental and mechanical it is subjected to.

If it is exposed to harsh conditions, it will last for a shorter period compared to one subjected to better conditions.

Another factor, which determines the longevity of this component is its actual material.

Some materials such as 316 will last more than 304 or even 201.

In essence, 316 has superior inherent features compared to other stainless steel duct grade materials.

And most importantly, the general usage or the application of this component is also a significant determinant of its durability.

This component will have a comparatively short duration in some applications, such as chemical processing.

However, in other relatively perceived as soft or non-aggressive applications such as HVAC unit, this product will last longer.

In a nutshell, the overall longevity of a stainless steel duct is dependent on the factors mentioned above.

Is Stainless Steel Duct Expensive?

Not necessarily.

The cost of stainless steel duct is relative.

It could be affordable or costly, depending on several factors surrounding it.

For example, if you are purchasing customized units, it is evident you’ll have to pay a little bit more compared to purchasing a standard piece.

In essence, custom-made units usually incorporate several elements hence inflating their cost a bit more.

Another factor, which determines the cost of this component is whether you are importing or merely purchasing for local use.

The latter will be a bit affordable since it does not necessarily require several costs, such as transportation.

On the other hand, importation will be costly since it requires freight and local transport charges.

You will also incur tax and various duty clearance costs.

And most importantly, the precise type of material you prefer is another element, which determines the cost of this component.

Ideally, the most suitable ducting materials are 304 and 316.

Even so, 316 has corrosive addition hence making it more expensive than 304.

As you can see, there are many factors you should consider before buying stainless steel duct systems.

The best part, this guide has highlighted everything you need to know.

However, in case you have any question, contact Biyang now.