C17 · Textile
Stainless Steel Plates for the Textile Industry: Choosing 316L/304 and a 7-Part Component Checklist
In the textile industry, we have categorized 7 components that use stainless steel: commonly used 316L / 304 / 321, with thicknesses from 1–400 mm.
Seven-Component Checklist and Material Options
| Component / Part | Recommended Grade | Size / Thickness | Surface | Main Failure Modes | Reference Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cylinder of J-Type High-Temperature High-Speed Dyeing Machine | 316L/304/321 | Wall thickness approx. 4 mm | 2B/anodizing and passivation | Chloride SCC: the dye liquor contains Cl⁻, far exceeding the critical SCC temperature of austenitic steels of about 60℃ at 140℃; cracks initiate from weld seams/flanges/heat-affected zones | GB/T 3280; GB/T 150; GB/T 4334 |
| Tube bundle/weld seams of the cylinder heat exchanger | 316L | Tube wall thickness 1.0–2.0 mm | Pickling/polishing | Cl⁻ enrichment in condensate + residual welding stress → SCC at weld seams | GB/T 151; GB/T 4334 |
| Guide roller (main shaft/roller surface) | 304/316L | Roller surface φ100–400 mm; wall thickness 2–6 mm | Mirror polishing/hard chrome plating | Dyes/anti-corrosion protection; 120-hour salt spray test with no rust is a commonly accepted acceptance criterion | GB/T 3280; FZ/T 90001 series |
| Bleaching tank/alkali 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 |
| Forming box/metering pumps | 316L | Forged parts/plate 5–30 mm | Machined surface/circular grinding and polishing | High-temperature polymer degradation + corrosion | GB/T 3280; GB/T 1220 |
| Needle for wet fabric/web | 304/316L | 1.0–3.0 mm | 2B/perforation | High-pressure water washing + fiber abrasion + corrosion | GB/T 3280 |
Material SelectionShow Operating ConditionsMaterial Selection
Consider Application Characteristics
- What are the most common grades in this industry? (316L, 304, 321)
- Common corrosion sources: pitting and crevice corrosion (mentioned in 5/7 cases).
- Welded components require attention to 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).
Common Issues
Which stainless steel is used most in the textile industry?
Based on the total count across these 7 components, the most common grade is 316L (7 mentions), followed by 304 (3 mentions) and 321 (1 mention). The specific choice for a component still depends on the medium and temperature; for example, stainless steel surfaces in contact with salt water should be upgraded from 304 to 316L.
Which type of component is most prone to problems?
Failure description, typically "cylinder of J-type high-temperature high-speed dyeing machine": Chloride SCC: the dye contains Cl⁻, far exceeding the critical temperature for austenitic SCC of about 60°C at 140°C; cracks originate from weld seams/grooves/HAZ; recommended grades 316L/304/321, wall thickness approx. 4 mm. Such conditions indicate the need to clarify 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 plates, consider bending and surface treatment; for thick plates, consider welding and structural strength. Values may vary by equipment manufacturer for the same location. Check against your drawing or operating conditions.
Related Materials and Adjacent Industries
Applications7
Thickness1–400mm
Grades400/316L