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Among the various metal materials, SS 316 electropolished pipe can be said to be the most surface finish and mechanical integrity of the material superior...The pipes made of this material which is widely used in pharmaceutical, food processing, and semiconductor industries which go through a robust electropolishing process that not only deepens the chromium oxide layer but also removes all surface contaminants. The entire procedure is a major factor in visual improvement and also serves to greatly reduce the number of pits and microscopic contaminant adherence, which in turn makes the product an ideal application for hygienic and ultra-clean environments. The US, UAE, and Germany as the biggest importers of the alloy from India have been investing in SS 316 electropolished pipe for the last few years mainly because of its unquestionable performance in the systems that concern the flow of liquids.

Electropolishing is a process that can make the inner surface as smooth as Ra 0.2 μm, in which case the flow properties will drastically improve and microbial growth will be prevented. The most commonly accepted standards and specifications are ASTM A312 and ASME SA312. The size ranges from ½” NB to 12” NB with the wall thickness varying from Sch 5S to Sch 40S. They are high purity water systems, gas distribution lines, and chemical processing units which employ such pipes. From the point of view of the engineering field, electropolishing is a very short manufacturing micro-level finishing operation which involves realigning surface grain boundaries, in turn, reducing the chances of corrosion initiation sites and hence, the process ensures durability over a long ​‍​‌‍​‍‌period.

Moving​‍​‌‍​‍‌ towards nickel-based alloys, Hastelloy C276 Plate is a class of materials with corrosion resistance characteristics going up to a high level, these are mainly utilized in chemical process equipment and marine engineering structures. The alloy which consists mainly of nickel, molybdenum, and chromium, provides a practically impermeable resistance to a very wide range of chemical environments such as oxidizers and reducing agents of even high-strength nature. The C276 grade can resist wet chlorine gas, ferric and cupric chlorides, hot contaminated media, and organic as well as inorganic acids equally well. The plate shape is particularly good for making pressure vessels, reactors, and heat exchangers where the cohabitation of mechanical strength and corrosion resistance at high temperature is required.

On the metallurgical side of things, Hastelloy C276 is characterized by low carbon content which is the reason why carbide precipitation during welding is avoided and the corrosion resistance of the heat-affected zones is retained. The properties are in compliance with the likes of ASTM B575 and ASME SB575 and the thickness varies from 1.6 mm to 50 mm. Normally these plates come in a solution-annealed state with hardness being generally below 200 HB. The material is the go-to solution for offshore, petrochemical, and flue gas scrubber industries in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Brazil, which have acid mixtures as their main source of pollution, due to its proven stability there. The versatility of Hastelloy C276 Plate for both weld and fabrications has been the key factor behind its popularity in worldwide markets such as Mexico, Qatar, and South Africa, thereby solidifying its role as an engineering material that offers no less than stellar performance in highly corrosive ​‍​‌‍​‍‌environments.