C17 · Textile
Stainless Steel Plates for the Textile Industry: Choosing 316L/304 and 7 Component Lists
In the textile industry, we have systematized 7 components that use stainless steel: commonly used 316L / 304 / 321, with thicknesses from 1–400 mm.
List of Seven Components and Material Options
| Component / Part | Recommended Grade | Size / Thickness | Surface | Main Failure Modes | Reference Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cylinder of High-Temperature High-Speed J-Type Dyeing Machine | 316L/304/321 | Wall thickness approx. 4 mm | 2B/anodizing and passivation | Chloride SCC (stress corrosion cracking): the acid solution contains Cl⁻, far exceeding the critical SCC temperature of austenitic steels of around 60℃ at 140℃; cracks initiate from welds/flanges/HAZ | GB/T 3280; GB/T 150; GB/T 4334 |
| Tube bundle/welds of the cylinder heat exchanger | 316L | Tube wall thickness 1.0–2.0 mm | Pickling/polishing | Condensate Cl⁻ enrichment + residual welding stress → SCC along welds | GB/T 151; GB/T 4334 |
| Guide roller (shaft/journal and roller surface) | 304/316L | Roller surface φ100–400 mm; wall thickness 2–6 mm | Mirror finish/hard chrome plating | Dyes/corrosion protection; 120 h salt spray test with no rust is a commonly accepted acceptance criterion | GB/T 3280; FZ/T 90001 series |
| Bleaching tank/alkali solution tank of bleaching machine | 316L | 2.0–6.0 mm | 2B/pickling | Chlorine bleaching + stress corrosion cracking at high pH | GB/T 3280 |
| Casting tanks/pipelines | 316L/904L | 2.0–6.0 mm | 2B/pickling | Sulfuric acid/sodium thiocyanate + high temperature + Cl⁻ | GB/T 3280; ASTM A240 |
| Molding box/metering pumps | 316L | Forged parts/sheet 5–30 mm | Machined surface/lapped polish | High-temperature polymer degradation + corrosion | GB/T 3280; GB/T 1220 |
| Needle-punched fabric/canvas | 304/316L | 1.0–3.0 mm | 2B/perforated | High-pressure water washing + fiber abrasion + corrosion | GB/T 3280 |
Material SelectionShow Operating ConditionsMaterial Selection
Consider Application Characteristics
- Which grades are most common in this industry? (316L, 304, 321)
- Main corrosion sources: pitting and crevice corrosion (mentioned in 5/7 cases).
- Welded components must account for sensitization and chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (mentioned in 3/7 cases).
- Thickness range 1–400 mm: thin sheets are mainly formed parts (consider springback in bending and cracking in deep drawing), thick plates are mainly welded structures (consider heat input and sensitization).
Typical Issues
Which stainless steel is used most often in the textile industry?
Based on the combination of these 7 components, the most common grade is 316L (7 matches), followed by 304 (3 matches) and 321 (1 match). The specific choice for each part still depends on the medium and temperature; for example, stainless steel worktops in contact with salt water should be upgraded from 304 to 316L.
Which type of component is most prone to problems?
The failure description typically cited is the "cylinder of a high-temperature high-speed J-type dyeing machine": chloride SCC: the dye contains Cl⁻, far exceeding the critical SCC temperature of austenitic steels of around 60°C at 140°C; cracks initiate in weld/valve/HAZ zones; recommended grades 316L/304/321, wall thickness approx. 4 mm. Such conditions require specifying medium concentration, temperature and cleaning method at the design stage.
What thickness should I choose?
The thickness range in the list is 1–400 mm. For thin sheets, consider bending and surface finish; for thick plates, consider welding and structural strength. Values may vary between equipment manufacturers for the same application. Recheck against your drawing or operating conditions.
Related Materials and Adjacent Industries
Applications7
Thickness1–400mm
Grades400/316L