Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tubing Specification

Stainless steel instrumentation tubing meet international standards that govern dimensions, tolerances, and material properties. The table below lists core specifications for SS instrumentation tubes.

Parameter Details
Standards ASTM A269 / ASME SA-269, ASTM A213 / ASME SA-213
Grades 304, 316
OD Range 1/8" to 1" (3.18 mm to 25.4 mm)
Wall Thickness 0.028" to 0.083" (0.71 mm to 2.11 mm)
Length 6 metres (20 feet) standard; coils available
Forms Seamless, Welded, Welded and Drawn
Surface Finish Bright Annealed (BA), Annealed and Pickled (AP), Mill Finish, Polished
End Type Plain end, capped

Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tube Sizes

SS instrumentation tubing comes in fractional sizes from 1/8" to 1" OD and metric sizes from 3 mm to 25 mm OD. Standard wall thicknesses range from 0.028" to 0.083" (0.71 mm to 2.11 mm). We supply tubing in 6-metre straight lengths and coils for smaller OD sizes.

Fractional Instrumentation Tube Sizes (Inches)

This table provides standard fractional OD sizes with common wall thickness options.

OD (in.) Wall Thickness Options (in.)
1/8 0.028, 0.035
1/4 0.028, 0.035, 0.049
3/8 0.035, 0.049, 0.065
1/2 0.035, 0.049, 0.065, 0.083
3/4 0.049, 0.065, 0.083
1 0.049, 0.065, 0.083, 0.120

Metric Instrumentation Tube Sizes (mm)

Metric sizes serve international buyers who specify dimensions in millimetres.

OD (mm) Wall Thickness Options (mm)
6 1.0
10 1.0, 1.5
12 1.0, 1.5, 2.0
16 1.5, 2.0
20 2.0
25 2.0

Instrumentation Tube Dimensions and Weight Chart

Custom cut-to-length orders are accepted. Coiled tubing is typically available for OD sizes up to 1/2". Contact us with your project dimensions for weight calculations and delivery timelines.

Outside Diameter (OD) Wall Thickness Approx. Weight (kg/m)
1/8" (3.18 mm) 0.028" (0.71 mm) 0.05 kg/m
1/4" (6.35 mm) 0.035" (0.89 mm) 0.13 kg/m
3/8" (9.53 mm) 0.049" (1.24 mm) 0.27 kg/m
1/2" (12.70 mm) 0.065" (1.65 mm) 0.50 kg/m
3/4" (19.05 mm) 0.083" (2.11 mm) 1.10 kg/m
1" (25.40 mm) 0.109" (2.77 mm) 2.00 kg/m

Surface Finish Options

Stainless steel instrumentation tubing is supplied in the following finishes.

  • Bright Annealed (BA)
  • Annealed
  • Pickled (AP)
  • Mill Finish
  • Mechanically Polished Conditions.

Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tube Price

Stainless steel instrumentation tube pricing is ₹200 to ₹650 per kilogram or $2.40 to $10.50 per kg. Final pricing depends on grade, OD, wall thickness, quantity, and surface finish. 316 tubing costs 15 to 25% more than 304 equivalent sizes. Seamless tubing costs more than welded. Request a quote from us for current pricing based on your specifications and order quantity.

Applicable Standards for Instrumentation Tubes

The following table summarises the primary standards that cover SS instrumentation tubing in different tube types.

Standard ASME Equivalent Tube Type
ASTM A213 ASME SA-213 Seamless
ASTM A269 ASME SA-269 Seamless and Welded

Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tube Grades

The most common grades for SS instrumentation tubing are 304 and 316 austenitic stainless steels.

Grade 304 Instrumentation Tube

Grade 304 instrumentation tube contains 18.0 to 20.0% chromium and 8.0 to 11.0% nickel. Common applications include water treatment, food processing, and HVAC instrumentation.

Grade 316 Instrumentation Tube

The addition of 2.00 to 3.00% molybdenum sets 316 apart from 304. This element significantly improves pitting and crevice corrosion resistance in chloride-bearing media. Offshore oil and gas platforms, pharmaceutical plants, and marine environments all require 316 tubing. The 15 to 25% price premium over 304 is justified where corrosion protection is critical.

Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tubing Forms

Stainless steel instrumentation tubing is produced in two primary forms: seamless and welded (including welded and drawn). The selection between these forms depends on operating pressure, budget, and service criticality.

Stainless Steel Seamless Instrumentation Tubing

Stainless Steel Welded Instrumentation Tubing

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Industrial Applications of Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tubes

Stainless steel instrumentation tubes are used in four major industries, as mentioned below.

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Oil & Gas and Petrochemical

SS instrumentation tubing carries process signals from transmitters and gauges on offshore platforms, refineries, and gas processing plants.

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Chemical Processing

Instrument tubing in chemical plants connects pressure sensors, level indicators, and flow meters to control rooms. Corrosion-resistant grades handle acid and alkali exposure.

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Power Generation

Process instrumentation tubing monitors steam pressure and temperature in boilers and turbines.

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Pharmaceutical and Food Processing

Bright annealed instrumentation tubing meets cleanliness requirements of pharmaceutical production and food-grade processing environments. Smooth internal surfaces prevent bacterial retention.

Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tube vs. Carbon Steel Tubing

The table below compares the SS instrumentation tube with carbon steel tubing in key performance factors.

Property Stainless Steel Carbon Steel
Corrosion Resistance High (Cr oxide layer) Low (requires coating)
Service Life 20+ years typical 5 to 10 years in corrosive service
Maintenance Minimal Frequent inspection and replacement
Initial Cost Higher Lower
Cleanliness BA finish available Not available

Shipping & Packaging

Main export packaging setup Heavy-duty wooden boxes Packing
Export Packaging Standard

We strictly follow seaworthy export handling standards to protect Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tube from transit damage, moisture ingress, and surface contamination during long-distance dispatch.

  • Heavy-duty wooden boxes with moisture barrier lining
  • HDPE stretch film wrapping on all bundles
  • Plastic end caps on threaded and plain-end pipes
  • Silica gel desiccants to minimize moisture exposure
  • ISPM-15 fumigated wooden packaging for export
shipping preparation Tube Bundle Yard Staging
Shipping packaging Container End-Cap Protection
Shipping stock Wrapped Export-Ready Bundles

We Export Worldwide

Sachiya Steel International supplies stainless steel products to major industrial markets across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa with export-ready documentation and logistics support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What sizes are available for Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tubing?+
SS instrumentation tubing is available in fractional OD sizes from 1/8" to 1" and metric sizes from 3 mm to 25 mm OD. Standard wall thicknesses range from 0.028" (0.71 mm) to 0.083" (2.11 mm). We supply 6-metre straight lengths and coils.
What is the difference between Seamless and Welded Instrumentation Tubing?+
Seamless instrumentation tubing (ASTM A213) has no weld seam and handles higher pressures. Welded instrumentation tubing (ASTM A269) is more cost-effective for standard-pressure instrumentation lines.
Which grade should I choose: 304 or 316 Instrumentation Tube?+
316 is the preferred choice for marine, chloride, or aggressive chemical environments due to its 2.00 to 3.00% molybdenum content. 304 works for less corrosive environments where cost is a priority.
What ASTM standards apply to Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tubing?+
The primary standards are ASTM A269 for general-service seamless and welded tubing, ASTM A213 for seamless boiler and heat-exchanger tubes, and ASTM A249 for welded condenser and heat-exchanger tubes.
What is the standard surface finish for Instrumentation Tubing?+
Bright annealed (BA) is the standard finish, achieving approximately 20 Ra ID / 32 Ra OD. Other finishes include annealed and pickled, mill finish, and mechanically polished.
What fittings are used with Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tubing?+
Instrumentation tube fittings include compression fittings (compatible with industry-standard compression connectors), flared fittings, and weld fittings. The tube OD must match the fitting size precisely for a leak-free connection.
What is the pressure rating of 1/4" SS Instrumentation Tubing?+
A 1/4" OD x 0.035" wall 316 SS instrumentation tube handles working pressures of approximately 4,400 psi at ambient temperature.
Where can I buy Stainless Steel Instrumentation Tubing?+
Sachiya Steel International supplies SS instrumentation tubing from Mumbai, India. We maintain a ready inventory of 1,500 to 2,000 metric tons. Contact us for stock availability and delivery timelines.

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