Recent disruptors have resulted in serious challenges for  supply chain management. The pandemic, accompanied by shortages of numerous materials, created headaches for nearly every industry. Because of this, businesses have been implementing strategies to adapt to changing customer demands while maintaining speed of operations. Companies with innovative and nimble supply chains are quick to invest in advanced competing technologies and adopt new partners to ensure on-time deliveries during supply chain disruptions.

Stainless steel is one of the most durable metals in use today. Its mechanical properties are especially prized for resisting corrosion over the long term. However, different types of stainless steel have varying levels of corrosion resistance as well as particular applications for which they are best suited. Here we’ll discuss the compositions of three different stainless steel varieties: martensitic, ferritic, and austenitic. We’ll also discuss the main factors that might cause stainless steel to corrode.

Stainless steel refers to a vast selection of steel alloys that contain at least 10.5% chromium. A few of the most popular grades of stainless steel are 304, 316, and 430—the first digit signals the family and the last two indicate type. Each grade contains varying levels of alloying elements that contribute to its corrosion resistance, flexibility, weldability, strength, magnetism, and other physical and mechanical properties. Common alloying elements include silicon, carbon, nickel, manganese, and molybdenum.

SSP specializes in 316/316L stainless steel tubing and pipe fittings. Learn more about this versatile stainless steel grade and how it compares to other grade families.

Quick connect fittings are a type of connector that is used to join fluid lines with equipment. Also referred to as quick couplings, they are designed to be easy to use without tools and connect with a simple push. Quick connect fittings are used within hydraulic or pneumatic systems, especially in applications that are time-sensitive and need a fast way to connect lines without losing any fluid pressure. This blog post will discuss some types and their capabilities.

What Is Coiled Tubing?

Coiled tubing plays a critical role in a wide range of industries, from food and beverage, medical, and oil and gas. It features a long and continuous construction that is flexible enough to be wound and unwound around a reel without fracturing. Compared to the design of conventional stick tubing, its design offers a number of advantages that make it a more effective and efficient solution for many applications. We highlight some of these below.

Valves and fittings play a critical role in fluid handling and processing systems across a wide range of industries. Due to the important function they serve, it is essential to find quality components as well as to partner with a reliable supplier. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of parts not performing to the expected standards and/or lead times extending beyond the original delivery estimates. Additionally, a subpar supplier may provide little to no product resources, training, or technical support, which leaves customers to figure everything out on their own.

In this blog, we aim to shed light on some of the red flags to watch out for in a fitting and valve manufacturer.

SSP manufactures Alloy 400/405 and C-276 tube fittings, pipe fittings, and valves for instrumentation, utility, control and process applications. SSP products meet all industry standards and can significantly improve the time and cost of installing, operating and maintaining systems. Our goal is to be the installer’s supplier of choice.

When choosing valves and fittings with threaded end connections, it is important to keep thread size in mind. A properly sized thread ensures the components fasten together securely, while an improperly sized thread can result in an insufficient seal which can lead to leaks. 

Thread sizes are determined by two main elements: the thread diameter (i.e., the distance between a thread’s crests) and the thread per inch (i.e., numbers of threads per inch) or pitch (i.e., the distance between one thread’s crest and another). In this blog, we discuss how to measure these dimensions, what tools are used, and how to use them.

Valves control the flow of water and other fluids through pipe systems. Pipe systems use different valve types depending on the fluid, the pressure, the application, and any other factors unique to that system. Two of the most common types are ball valves and plug valves. It is important to understand the differences between each valve type to ensure you choose the right one for your needs - in this blog, we’ll provide insights to help clarify the distinctions.

A bleed valve is a simple fluid handling device used to relieve pressure,  vent fluid or bleed air from a closed system. These functions are generally necessary before any maintenance or repair work can be conducted on a pressurized fluid line. The design of a bleed valve resembles a pipe plug with a screw threaded in from the top. The screw-like component is actually the valve stem, which rotates in and out to close and open the flow path through the threaded valve body. It has a weep hole located above the orifice that allows vented fluid to escape the system.