Stainless Steel Plates for Heat Exchangers & Pressure Vessels

Industrial Applications in Boilers, Heat Exchangers, Autoclaves & Storage Vessels

Hindustan Steel’s stainless-steel plates are used in the manufacture of:

• Shell-and-tube heat exchangers for chemical plants and refineries
• Superheaters and economizers in thermal power plants
• Boiler heads, tubesheets, dished ends, and closure parts
• High-pressure autoclaves for food, pharma & rubber industries
• Reactors, agitators, and jacketed vessels in bulk drug manufacturing
• Ammonia and urea pressure vessels in fertilizer plants
• Storage tanks for LPG, solvents, and chemical

These applications demand uniform wall thickness, certified mechanical strength, corrosion performance, and compatibility with welding techniques—making stainless steel the first choice for OEMs and fabricators.

Thermal Resistance, Strength & Long-Term Performance Under Pressure

The selection of stainless steel plates for pressure-bearing and heat-intensive applications is guided by the following performance benefits:

• High-temperature strength (up to 900°C for stabilized grades like SS 321/347)
• Excellent corrosion resistance against steam, acids, chlorides, and oxidizing media
• Low thermal expansion ensures dimensional stability in fluctuating cycles
• Superior weldability and post-weld toughness
• Long lifecycle and resistance to pitting, crevice, and intergranular corrosion
• Plate surfaces available in annealed, pickled, or polished finishes for hygienic or industrial use

These plates are NDT-tested, certified under IBR/PED/ASME codes, and supplied in cut-to-size formats for ease of fabrication.

Technical Standards & Equivalent Grades

Hindustan Steel supplies stainless steel plates that conform to international specifications required for pressure and thermal performance:

• ASTM A240 / ASME SA240 – For austenitic stainless plates used in pressure vessels
• ASTM A240 TP316L / TP304 / TP321 / TP347 / TP904L
• EN 10028-7 – European pressure vessel quality stainless plates
• PED 2014/68/EU – Pressure Equipment Directive compliance
• IBR Certified Plates – For boilers under Indian Boiler Regulation
• NACE MR0175/ISO 15156 – For sour service in oil & gas processing

Our plates are also available in dual-certified grades for SS 316/316L and SS 304/304L for weld-critical applications. For higher pressure or corrosion resistance, Duplex and 904L stainless plates are offered.

Thickness Range & Plate Sizes

We maintain ready stock and offer custom procurement in the following sizes:

Heat Treatment & Toughness

Our stainless steel plates for heat exchangers and pressure vessels are delivered in the annealed (solution-treated) condition unless specified otherwise. This treatment ensures:

• Uniform microstructure for consistent mechanical strength
• Stress relief for forming, bending, and welding
• Enhanced creep strength at elevated temperatures
• Prevention of carbide precipitation (especially for 316L, 321, and 347)

Grades like SS 347 and 321 are stabilized with Nb or Ti, offering superior resistance to intergranular corrosion during welding or post-fabrication heat cycles.

Machining & Fabrication Advice

Hindustan Steel plates are fabricated with full control over edge preparation, weldability, and forming parameters:

• Plasma cutting, laser cutting, or waterjet for precision work
• Compatible with TIG, MIG, SMAW welding processes
• Bend radius guidelines provided for high-thickness applications
• Pickling and passivation support available post-welding
• Full support for dish end forming, rolling, and flanging

We also offer cut-to-shape services for tubesheets, boiler components, and flange blanks as per client drawings.