2-1/2" OD 304/316L Sanitary Stainless Steel Tubing

2-1/2" OD Stainless Steel Pipe

• Bright Annealed Polished Sanitary Tubing ASTM A270
• Available in 316L Stainless Steel
• Stamped with Heat Lot Number
• Manufactured in accordance with 3A Standards for sanitary line process requirements

The Sanitary Stainless Steel Tubing with an outer diameter of 2-1/2 inches, which is manufactured from 304/316L stainless steel, is being used for home brewing, DIY water purification projects, small scale food processing, and aquariums. It is resistant to corrosion, has a smooth inside, which makes the tubing free from bacteria. It is light but strong and can be easily cut to required lengths.

Product Overview

This is the 2-1/2" OD hygienic tubing that fills the void between the smaller-sized systems and large industrial headers. It is made as per ASTM A270 with a bright annealed surface. It proves to provide the required surface finish interior-wise, which is required for hygienic processes and at the same time provides superior flow capabilities adequate for middle level applications. The wall thickness of 0.065” provides good pressure rating for sanitation service, but at the same time the weight of the tube remains light enough for being used manually while being installed. It should be mentioned, that the tube has the heat lot marked on it, which allows full traceability of the tube material as per the required regulations. The available dimensions of a tube may be varied from 1 foot till 6 feet, while larger items may be delivered in coils.

Technical Specifications

• Size: 2-1/2" OD (Other sizes available: 1/2" to 8")
• Material: 304 or 316L Stainless Steel
• Standard: ASTM A270 (Sanitary Tubing)
• Surface Finish: Bright Annealed, Polished
• Wall Thickness: 0.065" (16 Gauge)
• Certification: 3A Sanitary Standards Compliant
• Traceability: Stamped with Heat Lot Number
• Available Lengths: Pre-cut 1 ft to 6 ft; Bulk Coils

Key Advantages of Our Sanitary Stainless Steel Tubing

Real Stories from Real Users

"Utilized this tubing to recreate the stanchions for the lifelines of my sailboat. It has been two years submerged in saltwater without any rust." -Jake M., Florida Sailor

"I used a hacksaw to cut this for a custom BBQ smoker rack, and after more than fifty uses, it is still straight!" – Lisa R., Texas DIYer

Dimensions of ASTM A270

Operating Pressure

304 Stainless Steel Tube (ASTM A270 Tubing)

The data in the above table illustrates the pressure values obtained with Barlow's formula, given the material 304 which has yield and tensile strengths of 30,000 PSI and 75,000 PSI, respectively. Working Pressure = ¼ of Burst Pressure that is estimated from -20°F - 100°F.

316L Stainless Steel Tube (ASTM A270 Tubing)

The table above shows the pressures derived using Barlow’s Formula along with the mentioned characteristics: material 316L, yield strength at 25000PSI, and tensile strength at 70000PSI, and working pressure is determined from -20 to 100 F at a quarter of burst pressure.

Note: Stainless Steel Pipe size and Tube OD size materials are not interchangeable.

Dimensional Tolerances

Consistency in wall thickness for the sizes ranging between 1/2” and 3” is 0.065” (16-gauge). In sizes of 4”, the wall thickness is 0.083” (14-gauge). For sizes of 6” and 8”, wall thicknesses measure at 0.109” (12 gauge).

Chemical Composition

The tubing made of stainless steel grade ASTM A270, having types 304 and 316L is specially designed for food and drink processing facilities where machinery interacts with various chemicals, including acids, bases, salts, and detergents.

Applications & Industries

Frequently Asked Questions

What flow rate can I expect from a 2-1/2 inch sanitary tube?

With a standard CIP velocity of 5 feet per second, a 2-1/2-inch sanitary gravity flow line of approximately 90 gallons per minute (340 litres per minute). The capacity is then appropriate for intermediate applications, larger than a 2-inch line could handle well but smaller than a 3-inch header. This makes it useful for suction and discharge lines with a 10 to 30 hp pump, with CIP branch lines that feed multiple systems, or with product transport in medium-sized production sites.

Can this tubing be bent for custom installations?

Yes, stainless steel tube of 2-1/2 inch can be successfully bent with rotary draw process by using necessary equipment regarding the size of the tube and its wall thickness. For sanitary applications the shape of the bend has to satisfy the requirements of having a smooth internal surface without making any kinks or ovalities. A mandrel bender is a recommended type of equipment for thin-walled tubes (volume of 0.065") to ensure that the inside of the tube is kept firm during the bending process.

What is the difference between the pre-cut lengths and bulk coils?

Pre-cut lengths are tubes that have been cut into specified lengths of between 1'- 6' so that they can be readied for installation. They are excellent for small and medium projects where a specific length is required without cutting a complete industrial pipe. Bulk coils are continuous tubing lengths usually 20' or longer and supplied in coil form for larger installations where the tubing is cut and welded into multiple sections. Pre-cut lengths of tubing are simpler to store and transport while bulk coils offer better value for money for larger amounts.

How does the 2-1/2 inch size compare to 2-inch and 3-inch for my project?

The selection of the size of your tube depends on both flow to be achieved as well as the physical space available. A pipe with a diameter of 2-1/2 inches provides a flow of nearly 1.8 times that of a 2-inch pipe of the same speed and can therefore be used in cases when the 2-inch pipe would cause a very high pressure drop and a 3-inch pipe would be too big. The 2-1/2 inch tube is considerably lighter than a 3 inch tube making it easier to transport and manipulate, a fact that may come in handy in narrow spaces where tube assembly has to be managed manually. The diameter of 2-1/2 inches is an industry standard that is compatible with the standard set of fittings and clamps commonly employed in assembling works.

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