_3 Misbeliefs About Stainless Steel Plumbing

1. 3 Misbeliefs About Stainless Steel Plumbing Stainless Steel press fittings, clamps and other products are gaining popularity in more conventional plumbing applications. This is due to the increased cost of other materials such as No-Lead Brass, as well as , Contractors seeing more value in the properties of stainless such as the increased corrosion-resistance. It is important to know that there are a number of misconceptions in the industry about Stainless Steel Products. These are very important to address because they lead to poor education in the marketplace. The 3 misbeliefs that we are going to dive into, are: ● Real Stainless Steel is Magnetic ● Stainless Steel Fittings are sealed the same as other materials ● All Stainless steel Press Fittings are the same Magnetism of Stainless Steel This is one of the most common misbeliefs that we hear in the market. You will hear people say things like: "The best way to check if something is really Stainless, or a good quality Stainless, is to stick a magnet to it. If the magnet does not stick to it, you have Stainless product. If it does, the quality may not be good, or it could be another material altogether.” The "magnet" test will not give you a clear answer to the grade or quality of stainless for plumbing products. It is important to know that lower grade stainless steels such as 200 series will have lower magnetic attraction than a much more corrosion resistant 300 Series stainless steels. For example 301 Stainless steel is much more corrosion resistant, although it does become magnetic when cold worked. 98So, the real answer is that a SS Plumbing Fitting for example may have varied degrees of magnetic attraction. The truth is it really doesn't matter. What matters is the alloy composition of Stainless, particularly the percentage of Chromium which forms an oxide layer on the steel's surface. This layer is also referred to as the passive layer. The percentage of nickel is also important in high chromium stainless steel. Nickel increases

2. strength, impact strength and toughness, while also improving resistance to oxidation and corrosion. Stainless Steel Fittings are Sealed the Same as other Materials The biggest push back that I hear about Stainless steel press fittings is that it doesn't seal well, or it is hard to work with. The main reason that people experience this is due to the fact that they don't understand that sealing Stainless has to be done differently than brass. The reason that it needs to be sealed differently is due to the hardness of the material. Using conventional PTFE tape doesn't work well because the Stainless threads will actually cut the tape. Stainless steel should be sealed using a tape that has nickel in it. The nickel gives the tape increased strength and will not be cut when tightening. Once you understand how to seal SS Press Fittings properly, working with it is actually pretty easy. With the right instructions and installation products, you can become an expert in no time! All Stainless Steel Press Fittings are the Same Stainless Steel is a widely used term. It is very important to understand that there are many types of stainless steel items. The reason why you need to know about this is because the type of stainless used will come into play when determining the right type for a certain application. The main types of stainless steel that you will see in the plumbing industry are 304 and 316 grade. These numbers refer to the chemical makeup of each. The main difference between these two is corrosion resistance. 316 Stainless fittings are much more corrosive resistant, and therefore, are suitable for industry, commercial and other applications. 304 is more of a conventional stainless that would be used in more "everyday" plumbing. The next aspect to pay attention to is fitting thickness or pattern. There are about 5 different patterns that you may come across. These will deliver different pressure ratings. Obviously, the thicker the pattern, the greater pressure rating it will have. When comparing Stainless pricing, taking type of material and pattern into account is the only way to get accurate information. All Stainless Steel Plumbing fittings are not the same. There are many different configurations and it is important to know about them. Conclusion SS Plumbing products are continuing to grow in popularity. Because it is still new in many markets, these misbeliefs are still prevalent. It is important to arm people with this correct information so that they are able to make the right product recommendations and ensure success for Rhinox’s customers.