Stainless Steel Coil Tube with Turntable/Cantilever Pay-Off Reel System
Product Overview
The Stainless Steel Coil Tube (Coiltube) manufactured by Wenzhou Jixing Metal Materials Co., Ltd. is a precision-engineered tubular product supplied in continuous coil form, designed for ease of deployment in industrial, commercial, and infrastructure installations. The coil configuration enables uninterrupted material delivery, minimizing splices, joints, and waste during installation. This product is specifically categorized under Installation & Maintenance workflows, with a dedicated emphasis on Pay-Off Operations utilizing specialized Turntable-Type and Cantilever-Type Pay-Off Reels (转盘式/悬臂式放线器).
The coil tube is laid flat on the turntable platform and dispensed through axial rotation, ensuring uniform tension distribution and consistent geometric integrity throughout the unwinding process. This handling methodology is critical for preserving the mechanical and dimensional properties of the stainless steel tubing, particularly in applications demanding high purity, corrosion resistance, and structural reliability.
Material & Properties
The stainless steel coil tube is fabricated from austenitic stainless steel grades conforming to international standards. The material composition and resulting properties are as follows:
- Base Alloy Grades: SUS304 (UNS S30400), SUS304L (UNS S30403), SUS316L (UNS S31603), and SUS321 (UNS S32100)
- Chromium (Cr) Content: 18–21%, providing superior passive film formation and oxidation resistance
- Nickel (Ni) Content: 8–11%, ensuring austenitic stability and ductility across a wide temperature range
- Molybdenum (Mo) Content: 2–3% (in 316L grade), enhancing pitting and crevice corrosion resistance in chloride-rich environments
- Carbon (C) Content: ≤0.03% (in "L" low-carbon grades), preventing intergranular corrosion during welding and heat exposure
- Surface Finish: 2B (cold-rolled and annealed), BA (Bright Annealed), No.4 Brushed, or Mirror (8K) finish
- Inner Surface Condition: Electropolished (Ra ≤ 0.4 μm) or mechanical polished (Ra ≤ 0.8 μm) available upon request
- Tensile Strength: ≥ 520 MPa (minimum, per ASTM A213/A269)
- Yield Strength: ≥ 205 MPa
- Elongation: ≥ 35% (at fracture)
- Operating Temperature Range: −196 °C to +870 °C (304 grade); −196 °C to +870 °C (316L grade)
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Standard / Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Outer Diameter (OD) | 6.0 mm – 168.3 mm (¼" – 6") | ASTM A269 / ASME B36.19M |
| Wall Thickness (WT) | 0.5 mm – 6.0 mm | ASTM A269 |
| Coil Length | 50 m – 500 m (continuous, adjustable) | Manufacturer standard |
| Coil Inner Diameter (ID) | 300 mm – 600 mm | ISO 1155 |
| Dimensional Tolerance (OD) | ±0.05 mm (precision grade); ±0.1 mm (standard grade) | ASTM A213 |
| Dimensional Tolerance (WT) | ±10% of nominal wall thickness | ASTM A269 |
| Straightness (per meter) | ≤ 1.0 mm/m | Internal QC standard |
| Surface Defect Tolerance | No pits, cracks, seams, or inclusions visible to naked eye | ASTM A999 |
| Pay-Off Reel Type | Turntable-type (转盘式) / Cantilever-type (悬臂式) | Installation equipment specification |
| Maximum Pay-Off Speed | ≤ 30 m/min (depending on coil size and tube OD) | Equipment manufacturer limit |
| Coil Weight (approx.) | 500 kg – 2,500 kg | Calculated per coil geometry |
| Packaging | Wooden crate / steel banding with moisture-proof wrapping | ISO 4180 (container loading) |
Manufacturing Process
The production of the stainless steel coil tube follows a rigorously controlled multi-stage manufacturing sequence:
- Hot Rolling & Annealing: Continuous casting billets are hot-rolled into seamless tube blanks and subjected to solution annealing at 1,050–1,150 °C to establish a uniform austenitic microstructure.
- Piercing & Seamless Forming: The annealed blanks are pierced and elongated through plug-rolling or Mannesmann-type piercing mills to produce seamless tube stock.
- Cold Drawing / Cold Rolling: The seamless tube is cold-worked through calibrated dies or rolling stands to achieve precise dimensional tolerances, enhanced surface finish, and improved mechanical properties. Inter-pass annealing is performed at 1,050 °C to relieve cold-work hardening.
- Solution Heat Treatment: The cold-drawn tube undergoes final solution annealing followed by controlled cooling (air or water quench) to restore full ductility and maximize corrosion resistance.
- Pickling & Passivation: Surface scale is removed via acid pickling (nitric-hydrofluoric acid blend), followed by passivation treatment to establish a chromium-rich oxide layer (≥ 15 nm thickness).
- Coiling: The finished tube is wound onto precision-controlled coil reels at calibrated tension, ensuring uniform layer stacking and preventing inter-layer deformation.
- Quality Inspection: Each coil undergoes ultrasonic testing (UT), eddy current testing (ECT), hydrostatic pressure testing (1.5× working pressure, 30-second hold), and visual surface inspection in accordance with ASTM A269 and ASTM E165.
Pay-Off Reel System — Turntable & Cantilever Configuration
The proper deployment of coiled stainless steel tube requires specialized pay-off equipment. Wenzhou Jixing Metal Materials Co., Ltd. specifies the following installation protocols:
Turntable-Type Pay-Off Reel (转盘式放线器)
- The coil is placed flat (horizontal orientation) on a precision-engineered rotating turntable platform.
- Material is dispensed through axial rotation of the turntable, which applies controlled, uniform tension to the tube as it unwinds.
- The turntable mechanism incorporates a friction drive or gear-driven motor system to maintain constant angular velocity.
- Maximum recommended pay-off speed is 30 m/min to prevent dynamic stress accumulation and geometric distortion.
Cantilever-Type Pay-Off Reel (悬臂式放线器)
- The coil is mounted on a vertical-axis cantilever arm, allowing the tube to be dispensed from the top layer outward.
- This configuration is particularly suited for on-site installations where floor space is limited.
- Bearing assemblies at the cantilever pivot point are rated for the full coil weight (up to 2,500 kg) with sealed lubrication for extended service life.
- Tension control is achieved via adjustable brake pads or magnetic particle brakes integrated into the reel drive system.
Critical Handling Protocols
STRICTLY PROHIBITED: Ground dragging of the coil tube under any circumstances. Direct contact between the tube surface and the ground or rough surfaces will cause surface damage, contamination, and potential kinking.
Kinking (扭结) Policy: Any section of tube exhibiting a kink — defined as a localized deformation where the cross-sectional geometry is compressed or folded — is classified as UNFIT FOR USE and must be scrapped. Kinking results in irreversible metallurgical damage including work hardening, residual stress concentration, and potential crack initiation at the deformation site. No repair or re-straightening procedure can restore the affected section to original specification.
Applications
The stainless steel coil tube with turntable/cantilever pay-off system is deployed across a diverse range of industries:
- Food & Beverage Processing: Hygienic piping for dairy, brewery, pharmaceutical, and food-grade fluid transfer systems (316L grade preferred)
- Chemical & Petrochemical: Process piping, heat exchanger tubes, and reactor internals requiring resistance to aggressive chemical media
- Building Services: Condenser water loops, hydronic heating systems, and sprinkler systems in commercial and residential construction
- Automotive & Aerospace: Fuel lines, exhaust components, and hydraulic systems requiring lightweight, corrosion-resistant tubing
- Medical Equipment: Endoscope channels, surgical instrument housings, and sterilization system piping (electropolished interior finish)
- Energy Sector: Solar thermal collectors, geothermal heat exchange loops, and nuclear facility piping
- Infrastructure: Cable protection conduits, structural bracing, and architectural balustrades
Quality Certifications & Compliance
All products manufactured by Wenzhou Jixing Metal Materials Co., Ltd. conform to the following international standards and certifications:
- ASTM A269 / ASME SA269: Standard Specification for Seamless and Welded Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubes for General Applications
- ASTM A213 / ASME SA213: Standard Specification for Seamless Austenitic Stainless Steel Boiler, Heat-Exchanger, and Heat-Treansfer Tubing
- EN 10216-5: Technical Delivery Conditions for Seamless Tubes of Stainless Steel for Technical Uses — Part 5: Non-Heat-Resistant Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubes
- ISO 3506 / ISO 683-2: Stainless steel fastener and bar standards (where applicable for fittings)
- GB/T 12771: Chinese National Standard for Stainless Steel Tubes for General Industrial Use
- GB/T 14976: Chinese National Standard for Cold-Rolled Stainless Steel Seamless Tubes
- ISO 9001:2015: Quality Management System certification
- ISO 14001:2015: Environmental Management System certification
- ISO 45001:2018: Occupational Health and Safety Management System certification
- CE Marking: Compliance with European Union directives for pressure equipment (PED 2014/68/EU)
- Mill Test Certificates (MTC): EN 10204 Type 3.1 and Type 3.2 certificates provided per shipment
Unique Selling Points
- Seamless Construction: Eliminates weld-related corrosion initiation sites, ensuring uniform material integrity throughout the tube circumference.
- Continuous Coil Supply: Reduces installation time by up to 60% compared to straight-length pipe, minimizing field welds and joint failures.
- Specialized Pay-Off System: The turntable and cantilever reel configurations ensure controlled tension during deployment, preventing kinking, ovalization, and surface damage.
- Multi-Grade Availability: Comprehensive range of 304, 304L, 316L, and 321 grades to address diverse corrosion and temperature requirements.
- Precision Dimensional Control: Tolerances as tight as ±0.05 mm on outer diameter ensure reliable fit-up with connectors, fittings, and system components.
- Zero-Kink Policy: Rigorous handling protocols and dedicated equipment eliminate the risk of kinking-related scrap, protecting both product quality and project timelines.
Storage & Handling Recommendations
- Store coils indoors in a dry, temperature-controlled environment (15–35 °C, relative humidity ≤ 65%).
- Coils must be supported on dedicated coil stands or cradles — never placed directly on the floor or concrete surfaces.
- Protective end caps must remain installed on both ends of the tube to prevent internal contamination and mechanical damage.
- Do not stack coils vertically unless the inner diameter is ≥ 400 mm and a central support core is provided.
- Inspect coils upon receipt for surface defects, coil integrity, and proper labeling prior to installation.
- Use non-ferrous tools (brass, aluminum, or plastic-faced) during handling to prevent galling and iron contamination.
Document Reference: WJMM-TS-214 | Product Category: Installation & Maintenance / Pay-Off Operations / Dedicated Pay-Off Reel | Revision: 2024