Question 1

What stainless steel products does TIC Dubai supply?

Accepted Answer

TIC Dubai supplies the full architectural and industrial stainless range: H, I, IPE, IPN, HEA / HEB / HEM beams, PFC and UPN channels, equal and unequal angles, tees; round, square, hex and flat bright bars; seamless and welded pipes, ornamental tubes and SHS / RHS hollow sections; cold-rolled sheets, hot-rolled plates, coils and decorative PVD / etched sheets; complete handrail and balustrade systems; laser-fused and press-braked custom architectural profiles and structural sections.

Question 2

Which stainless grades are stocked?

Accepted Answer

Common stocks include SS 304 / 304L (1.4301 / 1.4307), SS 316 / 316L (1.4401 / 1.4404), SS 321 (1.4541), SS 430 (1.4016) and Duplex 2205 (1.4462). Super-duplex 2507 (1.4410), 17-4 PH (1.4542) and free-machining 303 (1.4305) are supplied on indent.

Question 3

What is the difference between SS 304 and SS 316?

Accepted Answer

SS 304 is the general-purpose austenitic stainless, excellent for architectural, food and indoor applications. SS 316 contains 2 – 3 % molybdenum, giving substantially higher chloride and pitting resistance, making it the default for marine, coastal Dubai, swimming-pool, pharmaceutical and chemical-process applications.

Question 4

What is the difference between 316 and 316L?

Accepted Answer

316L has lower maximum carbon (≤ 0.03 % vs ≤ 0.07 % for 316), reducing chromium carbide precipitation during welding and preventing intergranular corrosion in the heat-affected zone. 316L is mandatory for welded process equipment and most modern marine specifications. Dual-grade 316 / 316L material satisfying both standards is now the global default.

Question 5

What is Duplex 2205 and when should I specify it?

Accepted Answer

Duplex 2205 (UNS S32205 / 1.4462) is a ferritic-austenitic stainless with ~50:50 microstructure, ~22 % Cr, 5 % Ni, 3.2 % Mo and PREN ~ 35. It doubles the proof strength of 316L and resists chloride pitting and stress corrosion cracking in seawater. Specified for desalination, offshore, marine piping and high-chloride architectural facades in the GCC.

Question 6

What does PREN mean and what is the threshold for marine service?

Accepted Answer

PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) = Cr + 3.3·Mo + 16·N. PREN ≥ 24 is acceptable for ambient seawater; PREN ≥ 40 is required for warm chloride and offshore service. 304 ≈ 18, 316 ≈ 24, Duplex 2205 ≈ 35, Super-duplex 2507 ≈ 42.

Question 7

Which stainless finish should I specify for architecture?

Accepted Answer

No.4 satin (linear brushed) is the most popular architectural finish; it hides handling marks and gives a refined matte appearance. BA bright-annealed is preferred for hygienic and reflective surfaces. Mirror No.8 is reserved for feature elements. Bead-blasted gives a uniform soft texture; PVD-coloured stainless delivers durable architectural colour.

Question 8

What is the difference between 2B and BA finish?

Accepted Answer

2B (cold-rolled, annealed, pickled, skin-passed) is the standard mill finish, smooth, semi-reflective, slightly grey. BA (bright-annealed) is produced under hydrogen-atmosphere annealing for a mirror-like reflective surface, used in elevators, food service and decorative architectural panels.

Question 9

What is the difference between No.4 and Hairline finish?

Accepted Answer

No.4 has a uniform short directional brush mark of ~150 – 180 grit, the global architectural standard. Hairline (sometimes called No.4 long-grain or HL) carries a longer, finer continuous brush mark, popular in Japanese, Korean and high-end UAE architectural cladding.

Question 10

When is Mirror No.8 finish specified?

Accepted Answer

Mirror No.8 is reserved for feature elements: column claddings, lift surrounds, signage, sculpture and reflective decorative panels. It shows every fingerprint and handling mark, so it is rarely specified for high-traffic horizontal surfaces.

Question 11

What is passivation and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

Passivation is a nitric or citric acid treatment that removes free iron and contaminants from the stainless surface, restoring the self-healing chromium oxide film. ASTM A967 / A380 is the controlling standard. All fabricated stainless work in chloride or hygienic service should be passivated after welding and grinding.

Question 12

What is PMI (Positive Material Identification)?

Accepted Answer

PMI is portable XRF or OES testing that confirms the alloy composition on the finished piece, used to verify grade before installation. TIC Dubai arranges PMI on dispatch for projects requiring grade certainty, particularly oil & gas, pharma and offshore tenders.

Question 13

Are mill test certificates supplied?

Accepted Answer

Yes: every stainless dispatch carries original mill test certificates per heat number to EN 10204 3.1 by default. EN 10204 3.2 third-party inspected certificates (Lloyd's, BV, DNV, TÜV, SGS), PMI verification and corrosion test reports are arranged on request.

Question 14

What is the difference between EN 10204 3.1 and 3.2?

Accepted Answer

3.1 is mill-issued, signed by the mill's own QA function (independent from production). 3.2 is additionally witnessed by an independent third-party inspector. 3.1 is acceptable for most architectural and industrial work; 3.2 is required for offshore, pressure vessels, lifting equipment and critical infrastructure.

Question 15

What are the main austenitic grades?

Accepted Answer

304 / 304L (general purpose), 316 / 316L (chloride and marine), 321 (high-temperature), 347 (high-temperature with niobium), 310 / 310S (very high temperature, furnace internals). All are non-magnetic in the annealed condition with face-centred cubic structure.

Question 16

What is the difference between austenitic, ferritic and duplex stainless?

Accepted Answer

Austenitic (300 series): face-centred cubic, non-magnetic, excellent corrosion and formability. Ferritic (430, 409): body-centred cubic, magnetic, lower nickel, cost-effective for automotive trim and indoor architectural. Duplex (2205, 2507): ~50:50 ferrite-austenite, higher strength, better stress-corrosion-cracking resistance, mildly magnetic.

Question 17

Is stainless steel magnetic?

Accepted Answer

Austenitic grades (304, 316, 321) are essentially non-magnetic in the annealed condition. Cold working can induce mild magnetism. Ferritic grades (430, 409) and duplex grades (2205, 2507) are magnetic.

Question 18

How is stainless pipe specified, seamless vs welded?

Accepted Answer

Seamless (ASTM A312 / EN 10216-5) is extruded or pierced from a solid billet, no longitudinal weld, used for high-pressure, critical and clean service. Welded (ASTM A312 / A249 / EN 10217-7) is roll-formed from strip and longitudinally welded, more economical, available in larger sizes, used for general process and architectural service.

Question 19

What is ornamental tube?

Accepted Answer

Ornamental tube (ASTM A554) is welded stainless tube produced to dimensional and surface-finish tolerances for visible architectural use, handrails, balustrades, furniture, signage, typically in 304 or 316 with No.4, mirror, or PVD finishes.

Question 20

What is laser-fused stainless?

Accepted Answer

Laser-fused sections (T, L, Z, U, I, custom) are built up from cold-rolled strip welded by high-power fibre laser with no filler material. The result is a sharp-corner architectural section in 304 / 316 with tighter tolerances and finer surface finishes than hot-rolled equivalents, used in premium facades, balustrades and structural-architectural hybrid applications.

Question 21

What is electropolishing and when is it used?

Accepted Answer

Electropolishing is an electrochemical process that removes a controlled layer of surface metal, leaving a microscopically smooth, contamination-free finish. Specified for pharmaceutical, semiconductor, food and high-purity gas systems where bacterial adhesion or contamination must be minimised.

Question 22

Which standards govern stainless steel supply?

Accepted Answer

EN 10088 (chemistry, mechanical, supply conditions), EN 10028-7 (pressure vessel plate), EN 10216-5 / EN 10217-7 (pipe), EN 10095 (heat-resisting), ASTM A240 (plate / sheet), ASTM A276 (bar), ASTM A312 (seamless pipe), ASTM A249 (welded tube), ASTM A554 (ornamental tube), JIS G4303 / G4305 (bar and sheet), DIN 17440 (legacy).

Question 23

Why does stainless steel sometimes rust?

Accepted Answer

Pure stainless does not rust under normal service. Surface rust on stainless usually indicates: contamination from carbon-steel tools or fabrication debris, chloride pitting from coastal exposure on under-specified grade (304 in marine service), or post-weld heat tint not removed before service. Remedies: passivation, citric acid cleaning, and grade upgrade where required.

Question 24

What is heat tint and why is it removed?

Accepted Answer

Heat tint is the discoloured oxide layer adjacent to welds; it is chromium-depleted and corrosion-prone. Removal is mandatory in hygienic, chemical, marine and architectural service, by pickling paste, mechanical brushing with stainless tools, or electropolishing.

Question 25

How is stainless welded?

Accepted Answer

GTAW (TIG) is the default for thin sections, architectural and hygienic work. GMAW (MIG) for thicker sections. SMAW for site and field repairs. Filler is grade-matching: ER308L for 304, ER316L for 316, ER2209 for Duplex 2205. Interpass temperature is controlled (typically ≤ 150 °C for austenitic, ≤ 150 °C for 2205) to avoid carbide precipitation and sigma-phase formation.

Question 26

Do I need preheat for stainless welding?

Accepted Answer

Generally no for austenitic grades. Duplex grades benefit from controlled interpass temperature rather than preheat. Martensitic grades (410, 420) require preheat to prevent hydrogen cracking, typically 200 – 300 °C depending on chemistry and thickness.

Question 27

What is the typical stainless thickness range you supply?

Accepted Answer

Sheet 0.4 – 6 mm, plate 6 – 100 mm (heavier on indent), coil 0.3 – 3 mm slit or full-width. Bar 4 – 250 mm round, plus square, hex and flat. Pipe / tube 6 mm to 600 mm NB in seamless and welded. Sections HEA / HEB 100 – 400 mm, IPE 80 – 600 mm.

Question 28

What are typical lead times?

Accepted Answer

From UAE stock: 1 – 5 working days. Mill-direct ex-Europe / Korea / Japan: 45 – 75 days. Mill-direct ex-China / India / Taiwan: 30 – 60 days. Laser-fused custom sections: 35 – 55 days ex-mill plus freight. Decorative PVD / etched panels: 25 – 45 days.

Question 29

Do you offer cut-to-length and slitting?

Accepted Answer

Yes, sheets cut to specified size, coils slit to required width, plates plasma / waterjet cut to drawing, bars and sections sawn to length. Edge-deburred and PE-protected on dispatch for visible architectural work.

Question 30

What is PVD-coloured stainless?

Accepted Answer

Physical Vapour Deposition coating applies a thin (0.2 – 0.5 μm) ceramic film (TiN gold, ZrN bronze, CrN black, TiAlN copper, blue, rose) to stainless sheet. The colour is integral to the surface, abrasion-resistant and UV-stable, used for premium architectural cladding, lift interiors and signage.

Question 31

Is stainless steel recyclable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Stainless is among the most recycled industrial materials globally, typical mill input is 60 – 90 % recycled scrap. End-of-life stainless retains commercial value and is fully recyclable without property loss.

Question 32

What is the density of stainless steel?

Accepted Answer

Austenitic 304 / 316: ~ 7.93 – 7.98 g/cm³. Ferritic 430: ~ 7.70 g/cm³. Duplex 2205: ~ 7.80 g/cm³. Used for tonnage estimation: weight (kg) = volume (m³) × density × 1000.

Question 33

How does stainless behave at high temperature?

Accepted Answer

304 is rated to ~ 870 °C intermittent, 925 °C continuous; 316 similar. 309 / 310 for higher temperature (up to ~ 1100 °C). Duplex grades drop in toughness above ~ 300 °C due to alpha-prime embrittlement and should not be used continuously above this.

Question 34

What is the difference between hot-rolled and cold-rolled stainless?

Accepted Answer

Hot-rolled (HR, 1D finish, ≥ 3 mm) is rougher, used for structural and pressure work where finish is not visible. Cold-rolled (CR, 2B / BA / No.4 / mirror, typically ≤ 6 mm) is smoother and the basis of all architectural and decorative finishes.

Question 35

Do you supply stainless for the desalination industry?

Accepted Answer

Yes, 316L, Duplex 2205, Super-duplex 2507 and high-alloy austenitic (904L, 254 SMO) plate, pipe and fittings for RO and MSF plants. Mill certification, PMI and third-party inspection coordinated as required.

Question 36

Do you supply stainless to offshore and oil & gas?

Accepted Answer

Yes, NORSOK MDS-compliant 316L, Duplex 2205, Super-duplex 2507 and 6Mo plates, pipes, fittings and bar to ADNOC, Aramco, QatarEnergy and IOC EPC standards, with NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 compliance for sour service.

Question 37

Do you supply stainless for the food and beverage industry?

Accepted Answer

Yes, 316L / 304L sheet, tube, fittings and electropolished pipe to EHEDG / 3-A sanitary standards. Surface roughness Ra ≤ 0.8 μm for product-contact surfaces, full traceability to heat.

Question 38

Do you supply stainless to the pharmaceutical industry?

Accepted Answer

Yes, 316L electropolished tube to ASTM A270 with surface roughness Ra ≤ 0.4 μm internal, ASME BPE compliance, hydrostatic and ferrite testing, full PMI and dimensional records.

Question 39

What is sensitisation?

Accepted Answer

Sensitisation is chromium carbide precipitation at grain boundaries when austenitic stainless is held in the 425 – 870 °C range, depleting the boundary of free chromium and reducing corrosion resistance. Prevented by using low-carbon (L) grades or stabilised grades (321 with Ti, 347 with Nb).

Question 40

How is stainless stored on a UAE site?

Accepted Answer

Indoor storage where possible, on hardwood dunnage off the ground, protected from chloride-laden coastal air, isolated from carbon steel to prevent cross-contamination. Architectural sheets retain PE film until just before installation. Bars and bundles strapped and tagged with heat traceability.

Question 41

What is the cost difference between 304 and 316?

Accepted Answer

Typically 25 – 40 % per tonne premium for 316 over 304, driven by molybdenum and higher nickel. The gap widens during nickel cycles. For projects on the line, the lifetime cost of premature 304 replacement in chloride service usually outweighs the upfront 316 premium.

Question 42

What is the cost difference between 304 / 316 and Duplex?

Accepted Answer

Duplex 2205 typically prices between 316L and Super-duplex per tonne, but its 80 – 100 % higher proof strength allows lighter sections and lower design tonnage. Net delivered cost on chloride-heavy projects is often equal to or lower than 316L.

Question 43

Do you supply to the UAE and wider GCC?

Accepted Answer

Yes: TIC Dubai supplies stainless steel direct to projects across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, the wider Middle East, East Africa and the Indian subcontinent, either from held UAE stock or direct mill indent.

Question 44

Which GCC ports do you ship through?

Accepted Answer

Jebel Ali, Khalifa, Hamriyah for UAE; Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Dammam, King Abdullah for KSA; Hamad for Qatar; Sohar and Salalah for Oman; Shuwaikh and Shuaiba for Kuwait; Khalifa Bin Salman for Bahrain. Containers and break-bulk coordinated to project delivery point.

Question 45

Can you consolidate stainless with structural steel and hardware in one shipment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, mixed-product 40' containers and break-bulk loads are routinely coordinated for contractors and EPCs, combining stainless, structural steel, aluminium, GI, fasteners and architectural hardware into a single landed cost.

Standard	Scope	Description
EN 10088-1	Chemistry & grade list	Stainless steels, list of grades, chemistry and properties.
EN 10088-2	Flat products	Stainless steel sheet, plate and strip for general purposes.
EN 10088-3	Long products	Stainless steel bar, rod, wire, sections and bright products.
EN 10028-7	Pressure vessel plate	Flat products of steel for pressure purposes, stainless steel plate.
EN 10216-5	Seamless pipe (EU)	Seamless steel tubes for pressure purposes, stainless steel.
EN 10217-7	Welded pipe (EU)	Welded steel tubes for pressure purposes, stainless steel.
EN 10095	High-temperature alloys	Heat-resisting steels and nickel alloys for elevated-temperature service.
ASTM A240	Flat products (US)	Chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel plate, sheet and strip.
ASTM A276	Bars & shapes	Stainless steel bars and shapes, austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, duplex.
ASTM A312	Seamless / welded pipe	Seamless, welded and heavily cold-worked austenitic stainless pipe.
ASTM A249	Welded tube (heat ex.)	Welded austenitic steel boiler, superheater, heat-exchanger and condenser tubes.
ASTM A554	Ornamental tube	Welded stainless steel mechanical tubing, ornamental and architectural.
ASTM A790	Duplex pipe	Seamless and welded ferritic / austenitic stainless steel pipe, duplex and super-duplex.
ASTM A967	Passivation	Chemical passivation treatments for stainless steel parts.
JIS G4303	Bar (Japan)	Stainless steel bars, Japanese long-products standard.
JIS G4305	Flat products (Japan)	Cold-rolled stainless steel sheet, plate and strip.
DIN 17440	Legacy German	Stainless steel, technical delivery conditions (legacy, mapped to EN 10088).
EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2	Certification	Certification class, 3.1 mill QA, 3.2 third-party witnessed.

Grade	Family	Cr %	Ni %	Mo %	PREN	Rp 0.2 (MPa)	Typical service
304 / 1.4301	Austenitic	17.5–19.5	8.0–10.5	N/A	~18	≥ 210	General architectural, food, indoor
304L / 1.4307	Austenitic, low-C	17.5–19.5	8.0–10.5	N/A	~18	≥ 200	Welded 304 service
316 / 1.4401	Austenitic	16.5–18.5	10.0–13.0	2.0–2.5	~24	≥ 220	Marine, coastal, food, chemical
316L / 1.4404	Austenitic, low-C	16.5–18.5	10.0–13.0	2.0–2.5	~24	≥ 200	Welded marine / process
316Ti / 1.4571	Austenitic, Ti-stab.	16.5–18.5	10.5–13.5	2.0–2.5	~24	≥ 220	High-temp welded 316 service
321 / 1.4541	Austenitic, Ti-stab.	17.0–19.0	9.0–12.0	N/A	~18	≥ 200	550–800 °C service, exhausts
347 / 1.4550	Austenitic, Nb-stab.	17.0–19.0	9.0–13.0	N/A	~18	≥ 205	High-temp welded, refinery
310S / 1.4845	Heat-resisting	24.0–26.0	19.0–22.0	N/A	~25	≥ 210	Furnace internals, ≤ 1100 °C
430 / 1.4016	Ferritic	16.0–18.0	N/A	N/A	~16	≥ 260	Auto trim, indoor architectural
2205 / 1.4462	Duplex	21.0–23.0	4.5–6.5	2.5–3.5	~35	≥ 450	Desalination, offshore, marine
2507 / 1.4410	Super-duplex	24.0–26.0	6.0–8.0	3.0–5.0	~42	≥ 550	Warm seawater, high-chloride
904L / 1.4539	Super-austenitic	19.0–23.0	23.0–28.0	4.0–5.0	~34	≥ 220	Sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid

Application	Recommended grade	Finish	Specifier note
Interior architectural fit-out (UAE, KSA, Qatar, inland)	304 / 304L	No.4 or BA	Cost-effective default, no chloride exposure
Coastal architectural facades (Palm Jumeirah, Doha Corniche, Jeddah)	316 / 316L	No.4 or PVD	Chloride pitting resistance essential
Swimming pools, spas, splash zones	316L (min)	No.4 or BA	Hypochlorite and chloramine exposure
Food processing, beverage, dairy	316L / 304L	No.4 / electropolished	EHEDG / 3-A sanitary, Ra ≤ 0.8 μm
Pharmaceutical, biotech, semiconductor	316L	Electropolished	ASME BPE, Ra ≤ 0.4 μm internal
Marine handrails, balustrades, marina	316 / 316L	No.4 or mirror	Direct salt spray service
Desalination, MSF / RO plant piping	Duplex 2205 / 2507	Mill / pickled	Higher PREN required for warm seawater
Offshore, sour service oil & gas	Duplex 2205, 6Mo, 316L	Per NORSOK MDS	NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 compliance
Chemical process equipment	316L, 904L, 254 SMO	2B / pickled	Confirm specific chemistry compatibility
Exhaust systems, high-temperature	321 / 347 / 310S	HR / 2B	Stabilised / heat-resisting grades
Indoor decorative, auto trim, cost-driven	430 ferritic	BA / No.4	Lower nickel, magnetic, indoor only
High-strength structural-architectural hybrid	Duplex 2205	No.4 / laser-fused	Twice the yield of 316L

Property	304	316
Chromium	17.5–19.5 %	16.5–18.5 %
Nickel	8.0–10.5 %	10.0–13.0 %
Molybdenum	N/A	2.0–2.5 %
PREN (pitting)	~18	~24
Yield (sheet)	≥ 210 MPa	≥ 220 MPa
Chloride / marine service	Inadequate	Standard
Cost vs 304	Baseline	+ 25–40 %

Property	316	316L
Carbon (max)	0.07 %	0.03 %
Yield (min)	220 MPa	200 MPa
Welded service sensitisation risk	Possible (thick / multi-pass)	Mitigated
Intergranular corrosion in HAZ	Risk in chloride	Safe
Cost premium vs 316	Baseline	+ 2–5 %
Dual-grade availability	Common	Common

Property	316L	Duplex 2205
Structure	Austenitic	Ferritic-austenitic
Yield (min)	200 MPa	450 MPa
Tensile	500–650 MPa	620–880 MPa
PREN	~24	~35
Chloride pitting	Standard marine	Warm seawater, high-Cl
Stress corrosion cracking	Susceptible	Highly resistant
Cost vs 316L	Baseline	+ 15–25 %
Magnetic	No	Yes (mild)

Property	Austenitic	Ferritic	Duplex
Crystal structure	FCC	BCC	BCC + FCC ~50:50
Nickel content	8–13 %	0–4 %	4–7 %
Magnetic	No	Yes	Mild
Formability	Excellent	Moderate	Moderate
Yield strength	200–250 MPa	260–350 MPa	450–550 MPa
Corrosion resistance	Excellent	Moderate	Excellent (chloride)
Cost / kg	Standard	Lower	Higher

Property	Seamless	Welded
Manufacturing	Extruded / pierced from billet	Roll-formed strip + longitudinal weld
Reference standard	ASTM A312 / EN 10216-5	ASTM A312 / A249 / EN 10217-7
Pressure rating	Higher	Standard
Size range	Up to ~ 24″	Up to ~ 80″ and beyond
Cost	+ 25–60 %	Baseline
Typical use	High pressure, critical, sanitary	General process, architectural

Property	No.4	Hairline	Mirror No.8
Grit / process	150–180 grit short directional	Long continuous fine grain	Polished to mirror
Reflectivity	Matte	Soft directional shine	True mirror
Fingerprint visibility	Low	Low	High
Best use	Architectural standard	Premium facade, Asian spec	Feature / signage
Cleanability	Good	Good	Excellent if maintained
Cost vs No.4	Baseline	+ 5–10 %	+ 20–40 %

Sector	Products	Grades	Finishes
Architecture & Facades	Sheet, ornamental tube, laser-fused sections, PVD panels	304, 316, 316L	No.4, BA, mirror, PVD, etched
Hospitality & Retail Fit-Out	Sheet, decorative tube, balustrade systems	304, 316	PVD, etched, BA, mirror
Food & Beverage Processing	Plate, tube, fittings, fabricated tanks	316L, 304L	No.4, electropolished
Pharmaceutical & Biotech	Electropolished tube, sanitary fittings, plate	316L	Electropolished, Ra ≤ 0.4 μm
Water Treatment & Desalination	Plate, seamless / welded pipe, fittings	Duplex 2205, 2507, 316L, 904L	Pickled, 2B
Marine & Offshore	Plate, structural sections, pipe, fittings	Duplex 2205, 2507, 6Mo, 316L	Mill, pickled, painted
Oil & Gas, Petrochemical	Pipe, fittings, plate, bar	316L, Duplex, 6Mo (NACE)	Per NORSOK / project
Healthcare & Hospitals	Sheet, tube, sterile equipment	316L, 304L	No.4, electropolished
Transport (rail, automotive, marine craft)	Plate, sheet, structural sections	304, 316, Duplex	Mill, No.4
Public Infrastructure (bridges, stations)	Structural sections, plate, balustrades	Duplex 2205, 316	Mill, painted, No.4

Country	Ports	Project cities
United Arab Emirates	Jebel Ali, Khalifa, Hamriyah, Khor Fakkan	Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain
Saudi Arabia	Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdulaziz Dammam, King Abdullah	Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Khobar, Jubail, Mecca, Medina, Tabuk, NEOM, AlUla
Qatar	Hamad	Doha, Lusail, Al Wakrah, Al Rayyan, Mesaieed
Oman	Sohar, Salalah, Sultan Qaboos, Duqm	Muscat, Sohar, Salalah, Sur, Nizwa
Kuwait	Shuwaikh, Shuaiba	Kuwait City, Al Ahmadi, Hawalli, Farwaniya
Bahrain	Khalifa Bin Salman	Manama, Muharraq, Riffa, Sitra, Isa Town
Jordan / Iraq / Egypt	Aqaba, Umm Qasr, Sokhna, Alexandria	Amman, Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Cairo, Alexandria

Property	SS 304 / 1.4301	SS 316 / 1.4401	Notes
EN designation	1.4301	1.4401	n/a
UNS designation	S30400	S31600	n/a
AISI designation	304	316	n/a
Family	Austenitic Cr-Ni	Austenitic Cr-Ni-Mo	n/a
Chromium (Cr)	18.0 – 20.0 %	16.0 – 18.0 %	n/a
Nickel (Ni)	8.0 – 10.5 %	10.0 – 14.0 %	n/a
Molybdenum (Mo)	nil	2.0 – 3.0 %	Mo is the key differentiator for chloride resistance
Carbon (C) max	0.08 %	0.08 %	n/a
PREN (≈ Cr + 3.3 Mo + 16 N)	~18 – 19	~24 – 26	n/a
Yield strength Rp0,2	≥ 210 MPa	≥ 220 MPa	n/a
Tensile strength Rm	520 – 720 MPa	520 – 670 MPa	n/a
Elongation A50	≥ 45 %	≥ 40 %	n/a
Density	7.93 g/cm³	8.00 g/cm³	n/a
Max service temp (continuous)	~870 °C	~870 °C	n/a
Chloride pitting resistance	Moderate (~200 ppm)	High (~1,000 ppm)	n/a
Marine / coastal suitability	Not recommended	Recommended (316/316L preferred)	n/a
Indicative relative cost	1.0×	~1.4 – 1.6×	n/a

Property	SS 304L / 1.4307	SS 316L / 1.4404	Notes
EN designation	1.4307 (304L)	1.4404 (316L)	n/a
UNS designation	S30403	S31603	n/a
Carbon (C) max	0.030 %	0.030 %	‘L’ = low-carbon variant for welding
Chromium (Cr)	18.0 – 20.0 %	16.0 – 18.0 %	n/a
Nickel (Ni)	8.0 – 12.0 %	10.0 – 14.0 %	n/a
Molybdenum (Mo)	nil	2.0 – 3.0 %	n/a
Yield strength Rp0,2	≥ 200 MPa	≥ 200 MPa	n/a
Tensile strength Rm	500 – 700 MPa	500 – 650 MPa	n/a
Sensitisation risk after welding	Very low	Very low	Low C suppresses Cr-carbide precipitation in the HAZ
Post-weld heat treatment	Generally not required	Generally not required	n/a
Typical use case	Welded fabrications, food, dairy	Welded chemical, marine, pharma	n/a

Code	Finish	Process	Ra (µm)	Typical applications
2B	Cold-rolled, annealed, pickled, skin-pass	Cold rolled, heat-treated (annealed), pickled in HNO₃/HF, then lightly skin-pass rolled.	0.1 – 0.5 µm	Fabrication blank for tanks, kitchen equipment, façades that will be further polished, general industrial use.
BA / 2R	Bright Annealed	Cold rolled, then annealed in a protective hydrogen / nitrogen atmosphere, with no scale and no pickling required.	0.05 – 0.1 µm	Architectural cladding, appliances, automotive trim, reflectors, lift interiors, decorative panels.
No.4	Brushed / Satin	Mechanically polished with 120 – 180 grit abrasive belts to produce a uniform unidirectional finish.	0.4 – 1.0 µm	Architectural panels, balustrades, kitchen worktops, food and pharma vessels, lift cabs, façade cladding.
HL (Hairline)	Hairline polished	Continuous fine long-grain abrasive polish producing very long, parallel hairlines.	0.2 – 0.5 µm	Lift cabs and doors, premium façades, hotel and retail interiors, signage, balustrades.
No.8 / Mirror	Mirror polished	Multi-stage mechanical polishing with progressively finer abrasives up to buffing compounds.	< 0.05 µm	Decorative architecture, sculpture, signage, monuments, hospitality features, mosque and palace fittings.
Bead-blasted	Bead / Glass-blasted	Blasted with fine glass beads or stainless shot to produce a uniform matt finish.	1.0 – 2.5 µm	Pharma and food equipment (passivated), architectural features, anti-glare panels, sanitary fittings.
PVD coloured	Physical Vapour Deposition	Vacuum-deposited titanium nitride / titanium carbide coating over No.4, HL or Mirror base.	Base + < 0.5 µm coating	Luxury interiors, hotel and retail facades, lift cabs, signage, decorative architectural cladding.

NPS / DN	OD (mm)	Sch 10S wall (mm)	Sch 40S wall (mm)	Sch 80S wall (mm)
½" (DN 15)	21.3	2.11	2.77	3.73
¾" (DN 20)	26.7	2.11	2.87	3.91
1" (DN 25)	33.4	2.77	3.38	4.55
1½" (DN 40)	48.3	2.77	3.68	5.08
2" (DN 50)	60.3	2.77	3.91	5.54
3" (DN 80)	88.9	3.05	5.49	7.62
4" (DN 100)	114.3	3.05	6.02	8.56
6" (DN 150)	168.3	3.40	7.11	10.97
8" (DN 200)	219.1	3.76	8.18	12.70
10" (DN 250)	273.0	4.19	9.27	15.09
12" (DN 300)	323.8	4.57	10.31	17.48

Region / system	Standard	Scope	Grade examples
International	ISO 15510 / ISO 1127	Stainless chemical composition; stainless tube dimensions & tolerances	1.4301, 1.4307, 1.4401, 1.4404, 1.4541, 1.4462
Europe (EN)	EN 10088-1 / -2 / -3 / -4 / -5	Stainless grades; sheet & strip; bars, rods, wire; structural products	1.4301 (304), 1.4404 (316L), 1.4462 (2205)
Europe (Pressure)	EN 10028-7	Flat products for pressure purposes, stainless steels	1.4404, 1.4541, 1.4571, 1.4845
USA (ASTM)	ASTM A240 / A276 / A312 / A554 / A480 / A484 / A790 / A1069	Sheets/plates; bars; seamless & welded pipes; ornamental tube; flat product tolerances; laser-fused	S30400, S31603, S32205, S32750
USA (Designation)	AISI / SAE	Legacy designation system still widely referenced in datasheets and procurement	AISI 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 321, 430
USA (Numbering)	UNS per ASTM E527 / SAE J1086	Unified Numbering System for metals & alloys	S30400, S30403, S31600, S31603, S32205
Japan (JIS)	JIS G4303 / G4304 / G4305 / G3459	Stainless bars, hot-rolled & cold-rolled sheet; stainless pipes for piping	SUS304, SUS304L, SUS316, SUS316L, SUS321
Pipe Dimensions	ASME B36.19M / B36.10M	Stainless steel pipe dimensions (Sch 5S, 10S, 40S, 80S, 160)	Applies to all austenitic & duplex pipe grades
Sour Service	NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156	Materials qualified for H₂S-containing oil & gas service	316L (limited), 22Cr Duplex, 25Cr Super-duplex
Hygienic Tube	DIN 11850 / ASTM A270	Hygienic stainless tube for food, dairy, pharma & biopharma	1.4404 (316L), typical product-contact

Architectural & industrial stainless steel for the GCC.

Eight categories. Architect-grade stainless.

Stainless Steel Structural Profiles

Stainless Steel Pipes & Tubes

Stainless Steel Sheets & Plates

Stainless Steel Bright Bars

Stainless Steel Architectural Profiles

Stainless Steel Flat Products

Stainless Steel Custom Profiles

Architect-grade stainless, mill-certified.

Architect-grade global sourcing

Certified to international standards

Precision-engineered supply

Cut-to-length & finish on demand

Stock + indent model

Middle East specification expertise

The stainless standards GCC consultants cite.

304 to Super-duplex. One reference table.

2B to PVD: the architectural finish library.

Which grade for which job.

Six side-by-side comparisons.

304 vs 316, General vs Marine

316 vs 316L, When the L Matters

316L vs Duplex 2205, Strength & Chloride

Austenitic vs Ferritic vs Duplex

Seamless vs Welded Pipe

No.4 vs Hairline vs Mirror

Where TIC Dubai stainless ships.

From mill bundle to architectural surface.

Why stainless fails, and how to prevent it.

The twelve checks before stainless leaves the yard.

How stainless stays stainless on a UAE yard.

Mill-direct to every GCC port and project city.

Grades, finishes, schedules and standards: explained.

304 vs 316 stainless steel.

304L vs 316L: when to specify the ‘L’ grade.

Mill, brushed, hairline, mirror & PVD.

Sch 10S, 40S and 80S: wall thickness per ASME B36.19M.

Stainless steel across seven industries.

Marine & Coastal

Food & Beverage

Architecture & Façades

Hospitality & Interiors

Oil, Gas & Petrochemical

Chemical & Pharmaceutical

Industrial Fabrication

ASTM, EN, AISI, JIS: what to call up.

Thickness, schedule, tolerance: at a glance.

Sheet & plate thickness ranges

Pipe & tube dimensional system

Bright bar tolerances

Section & profile dimensions

Stainless steel: engineer answers.

What is the real difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel?

When should I specify 304L or 316L instead of 304 / 316?

What is a 2B finish and where is it used?

What is the difference between No.4 and Hairline (HL) finish?

What does pipe schedule mean for stainless steel?

Which standard governs stainless pipe and tube dimensions?

How do I choose between duplex 2205 and 316L?

What surface finish is required for food-contact stainless steel?

Specification-grade reading on stainless steel.

304 vs 316 Stainless Steel: Chemistry, Corrosion and Cost

316 vs 316L Stainless Steel: When the L Matters

Duplex Stainless Steel Explained: 2205, 2507 and Lean Duplex

What Is a Mill Test Certificate (MTC)? How to Read and Verify

ASTM vs EN Structural Steel: A Practical Comparison

Structural Steel Standards in UAE and Saudi Arabia

Stainless steel: answered.