Polished Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube
We supply polished stainless steel pipe and polished stainless steel tubing, brushed and polished in our own plant in Wuxi. Decorative tube is made to ASTM A554. Sanitary tubing is made to ASTM A270.
Brushed No.4 or hairline (grit 180–320), or polished to a mirror
Polished inside and outside to Ra 0.8 µm
304 sanitary tube from 19 to 480 mm OD; square tube up to 300 × 300 mm
Every polished length filmed or sleeved before packing
Why Order Polished Pipe & Tube From MTS
01
Brushed and Polished on Our Own Lines
Brushing and polishing run on our own lines in Wuxi, so lengths from one order share the same finish. Rails and frames match when installed side by side.
02
Weld Seam Polished Out
On satin finish, the seam is blended into the surface. On mirror finish, it is reduced to a faint line.
03
Ra 0.8 µm Inside and Out
We polish pipe & tube inside and outside to Ra 0.8 µm, the usual level for food and beverage lines.
04
Packed to Arrive Unmarked
Each length is filmed or sleeved, then boxed. A scratched polished tube cannot be sold as finished.
05
Cut, Stocked and Shipped From Wuxi
Our tube laser cuts polished pipe & tube up to 350 mm OD and 9 m long. We process up to 100,000 tons a month and keep 3,000 tons of stainless pipe & tube in stock (out of 80,000 tons in total) in 60,000 m² of warehouse space in Wuxi.
A Finish You See and a Finish You Clean
Polishing serves two purposes. On railings, furniture and shop fittings, it makes stainless look good and stay that way. In dairies, breweries and pharma plants, it makes stainless easy to clean and hard for bacteria to hold onto.
The two use different specs. Decorative pipe & tube are judged by eye and grit. Sanitary tubing is judged by measured roughness inside the bore. Tell us which one you need before you order.
Polished Pipe & Tube Range
Brushed Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube
Satin No.4 or hairline, grit 180–320, with fine lines along the length. Brushed stainless steel tube hides fingerprints and small scratches.
Mirror Polished Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube
Polished to a mirror (No.8), reflective like glass. Mirror polished stainless steel tubing for display, lighting and luxury fittings.
Electropolished Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube
Polished by an electrochemical process after mechanical polishing. Electropolished stainless steel tubing gives the smoothest, cleanest surface, quoted on request.
Polished 316 Pipe & Tube
For coastal railings, marine fittings and pool areas. Polished 316 stainless steel tubing keeps its shine where 304 would stain.
Sanitary Tubing to ASTM A270
304 sanitary stainless steel tubing from 19 to 480 mm OD, wall 1.5–5 mm, polished inside and out, for food, dairy and beverage lines. It is solution annealed full length, and the MTC states "Solution Annealed". 316L sanitary tube is quoted on request.
Polished Square and Rectangular Tube
Satin or mirror square sections for frames and furniture. See Stainless Steel Square Pipe & Tube.
Specifications
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Grades | 304, 316L; 201 for decorative tube; 304L and 316 on request |
| Round OD | Sanitary tube 19–480 mm; 1″ to 4″ OD and larger |
| Wall | Sanitary 1.5–5 mm; decorative square 0.4–3.0 mm |
| Shapes | Round, square and rectangular (10 × 10 to 300 × 300 mm); oval 15 × 8 to 195 × 100 mm |
| Length | 6 m standard; 9 or 12 m; laser cut to length |
| Outside finish | No.4 / satin, grit 180–320; hairline; mirror (No.8); electropolishing on request |
| Inside finish (sanitary) | Ra 0.8 µm; finer Ra on request |
| Standards | ASTM A554 (decorative), ASTM A270 (sanitary); ASME BPE, 3-A, DIN 11850 on request |
Choosing Polished Stainless Steel Pipe & Tube
Grit or Ra: Two Ways to Say "Polished"
Decorative polish is ordered by grit. The higher the number, the finer the lines. #320 is a common satin. 600 grit is a common mirror.
Sanitary polish is ordered by Ra, the average roughness in micrometers. Lower Ra means a smoother bore. Food plants often ask for Ra ≤0.8 µm inside. Pharma lines ask for ≤0.5 or ≤0.4 µm, often electropolished.
Don’t order a sanitary line by grit alone. Two tubes polished with the same grit can have different Ra.
Brushed, Mirror or Electropolished?
Brushed is the practical choice for most visible parts. It hides scratches and fingerprints, and it can be touched up on site.
Mirror looks premium but shows every mark. Plan for careful handling and final cleaning after installation. A 1 inch polished stainless steel tubing handrail in mirror will show hand marks within days.
Electropolished removes a thin layer of metal and leaves a very smooth, chromium-rich surface. It is the best choice for pharma and high-purity lines. For decorative parts, it is usually more than needed.
Decorative or Sanitary?
Decorative polished pipe & tube follow ASTM A554. They are not pressure rated. The inside is not polished.
Sanitary tubing follows ASTM A270. It is ordered by OD, polished inside and often outside, and tested for pressure. Fittings for sanitary lines, such as clamp ferrules, match the tube OD.
Using A554 decorative tube in a food line is a common and costly mistake. The bore may be rough and the weld bead not removed.
304 or 316 for Polished Parts?
Indoors, 304 polished pipe & tube stay bright with normal cleaning.
Outdoors near the sea, by pools, or where de-icing salt is used, polished 304 will tea-stain. Use 316. For sanitary lines, 316L is standard for most dairy and pharma work.
Keep the Finish on Site
Polished material is easy to ruin during installation. Keep the film on until the last step. Use stainless-only tools and wire brushes. Carbon steel dust will leave rust spots.
After welding, polish and passivate the weld. A heat-tinted weld on a polished rail is the first place rust appears.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between brushed and polished stainless pipe & tube?
Brushed is a satin finish with fine lines along the length. Polished usually means a finer finish, up to mirror. Both are ordered by grit. Brushed is easier to maintain; mirror looks more premium.
Is ss polished pipe suitable for food lines?
Only if it is sanitary tubing to A270 or a similar standard, polished inside. Decorative ss polished pipe to A554 is polished outside only. Its bore can trap residue.
What Ra do I need for sanitary tubing?
Most food and beverage lines use Ra ≤0.8 µm inside. Pharma and biotech often require Ra ≤0.5 µm or ≤0.4 µm, with electropolishing. Your process spec or ASME BPE level sets the number.
Can polished pipe & tube be welded?
Yes. The weld area loses its finish and must be polished again. On sanitary lines, use orbital welding to keep the inside bead smooth. Pass the weld before polishing.
Do you work with sanitary tubing suppliers and distributors?
Yes. We supply distributors with A270 tube in standard OD sizes, with end caps. Mixed sizes can ship in one container.
How much more does polishing cost?
Polishing adds cost by grit, size and whether the inside is polished. Mirror and electropolished finishes cost the most. Send sizes and finish, and we will quote within 2–4 working hours.
Request a Quote
We reply within 2–4 working hours with a price per ton, valid for 3 days.