TPI April 2011

Stainless steel tubes Famously problem-free, stainless steel must have presented a problem in naming. With attributes ranging from corrosion-resistant through high strength/low weight to durable, hygienic, and cost-effective, this major breakthrough in steel making would seem to require a symbol all to itself — plus a guest spot in the periodic table. The scientists of almost exactly a century ago met the situation by naming the wonder metal for an apparently superficial quality: its good looks. It was a clever choice for a material that would see service in a virtually limitless array of products for the construction, automotive, aviation, marine, air conditioning and heating, electronics, and medical industries. The warning that beauty is only skin-deep has never yet been sounded about the self-healing skin of a rugged, long-lived, temperature- and impact-resistant, 100% recyclable stainless steel tube.

Tubes from Ilta Inox SpA