Stainless Steel 409 Pipes & Tubes Manufacturer & Supplier - USA Piping Solution

When applications demand a smart balance between elevated temperature performance and practical cost, Stainless Steel 409 Pipes & Tubes frequently emerge as the material of choice. USA Piping Solution is a leading manufacturer and dedicated supplier of this reliable ferritic stainless steel. We offer an extensive range, addressing needs from standard stock sizes to fully customized dimensions, always supported by solid technical know-how. Serving critical industries like automotive exhaust systems and industrial heat transfer equipment, we recognize the need for durable, Corrosion Resistant Pipes that provide lasting value. Choose USA Piping Solution as your source for high-quality SS 409 materials, delivered globally with the precision your projects require.

What is Stainless Steel 409?

Stainless Steel 409 (UNS S40900) carves out its niche within the ferritic stainless steel family. It's valued primarily for bringing together good resistance to heat and oxidation with adequate protection against corrosion, particularly when judged against simpler carbon or aluminized steels. Its defining characteristic is its chemistry: it's built around an 11% chromium base. This chromium content is the foundation for its ability to resist rust and withstand high-temperature environments. However, the real key to Type 409's utility lies in a small but crucial addition: titanium.

What does the titanium do? It acts as a stabilizer. In the heat ranges where materials like 409 Stainless Steel Exhaust Pipe often operate (roughly 425°C - 815°C or 800°F - 1500°F), simpler steels can run into trouble. They can form chromium carbides along the grain boundaries, a process called sensitization. This depletes chromium in those areas, leaving the steel vulnerable to intergranular corrosion, especially when things cool down or moisture is present. The titanium in SS 409 has a stronger attraction to carbon and nitrogen than chromium does. It effectively intercepts these elements, forming stable titanium carbides and nitrides instead. This prevents the harmful chromium depletion, preserving the steel's corrosion resistance even after welding or extended time spent at high temperatures. It’s this stabilization, combined with its favorable economics, that positions Ferritic Stainless Steel Pipe grade 409 as such a mainstay for high-volume, heat-intensive applications.

SS 409 Pipe & Tube Specifications

Ensuring the SS 409 material selected is the right fit requires careful attention to specifications. USA Piping Solution provides Stainless Steel 409 Pipes & Tubes manufactured under stringent controls, meeting established global standards.

Technical Specifications

Specification Area	Key Details and Parameters
Grade Identification	Stainless Steel 409, TP409, UNS S40900, W.Nr. 1.4512
Primary Standards	ASTM A268 / ASME SA268: Governs Seamless and Welded Ferritic/Martensitic Stainless Steel Tubing for General Service. Other specific standards (e.g., ASTM A803 for Feedwater Heaters) might apply occasionally.
Outer Diameter (OD)	Available across a wide spectrum, from smaller diameters near 6mm (~1/4") up to larger pipe sizes like 630mm (~24.8"), influenced by the production method chosen.
Wall Thickness (WT)	Covers a range from thinner gauges (~0.5mm / 0.020") often used in heat exchangers, up to more substantial walls (~30mm / 1.18") required for certain structural applications.
Length Availability	Typically offered in standard mill lengths (Single Random ~17-24 ft; Double Random ~36-44 ft). Precision custom cutting to specific lengths up to 12 meters (40 ft) is also a standard service.
Manufacturing Methods	Seamless Pipes & Tubes (SS 409 Seamless Pipes): Forged without a weld seam, providing inherent structural uniformity. Often specified under ASTM A268 TP409 Tubing.
	Welded Pipes & Tubes (SS 409 Welded Tubes): Created by forming strip/plate and welding the seam (usually ERW). This is the most common and cost-effective method for 409, especially for exhaust systems.
Common Shapes	Predominantly produced as Round tubing and pipes. Other shapes like square, rectangular, or oval might be sourced or produced depending on the application and volume.
End Preparation	Generally supplied with Plain Ends (PE), suitable for various joining methods. Bevelled Ends (BE) can be provided for butt-welding preparations.
Surface Condition	Typically supplied in an annealed condition, often with a pickled or bright annealed finish. Polished finishes are less common for 409 but can be discussed if needed.

Please remember that availability for specific dimensions and forms is subject to current inventory and production schedules. We recommend contacting USA Piping Solution directly to confirm what's available for your immediate needs.

Chemical Composition (Typical)

The performance characteristics that define Stainless Steel 409 are a direct result of its specific chemical recipe. Governed by standards like ASTM A268, the typical elemental balance is:

Element	Symbol	Target Content (% by Weight)	Its Function within the Alloy
Carbon	C	≤ 0.08%	Kept relatively low. The titanium stabilization mitigates concerns about carbide formation related to this carbon level at operating temperatures.
Manganese	Mn	≤ 1.00%	Contributes modestly to strength and aids in processing during steel manufacturing.
Phosphorus	P	≤ 0.045%	Controlled as an impurity to help maintain material toughness.
Sulfur	S	≤ 0.030%	Limited to ensure good weldability and minimize potential corrosion initiation sites.
Silicon	Si	≤ 1.00%	Acts primarily as a deoxidizer during melting and offers a slight boost to high-temperature oxidation resistance.
Chromium	Cr	10.5–11.75%	This is the core element providing the fundamental resistance to corrosion and oxidation by forming a protective passive film on the surface.
Titanium	Ti	≥ 6 x (%C + %N)	The essential stabilizer. It preferentially forms stable compounds with carbon and nitrogen, preventing chromium depletion near grain boundaries and thus inhibiting intergranular corrosion after heating. Max Ti is usually around 0.75%.
Nitrogen	N	Controlled	While not a primary addition, its presence is accounted for when determining the necessary minimum titanium level for stabilization.
Iron	Fe	Balance	Forms the base ferritic (iron-based) structure of the stainless steel alloy.

This carefully tuned chemistry makes SS 409 a practical and effective Ferritic Stainless Steel Pipe option, optimized for heat resistance and weldability within its cost bracket.

Mechanical Properties

Stainless Steel 409 offers a set of mechanical properties well-suited for its common uses, especially in automotive and industrial heat applications. Here are typical values for the material in its annealed state:

Property	Common Value / Range	Practical Significance
Tensile Strength (UTS)	≥ 380 MPa (≥ 55 ksi)	Represents the maximum pulling stress the material can handle before failure.
Yield Strength (0.2% Offset)	≥ 170 MPa (≥ 25 ksi)	The point at which the steel begins to permanently deform under load. Important for design against yielding.
Elongation (% in 50mm/2")	≥ 20%	Indicates its ductility or ability to stretch and deform before fracturing. Essential for forming operations.
Hardness (Rockwell B)	≤ 89 HRB (Approx. ≤ 170 HB)	Measures resistance to indentation. Its relative softness contributes to good formability.
Elastic Modulus	Approx. 200 GPa (~29,000 ksi)	Reflects the material's inherent stiffness, typical for steel alloys.

Types & Forms Available

Recognizing that different manufacturing paths require different starting points, USA Piping Solution provides Stainless Steel 409 in the key formats utilized by industry:

1. Seamless Pipes (SS 409 Seamless Pipes)
• Produced via methods that avoid a longitudinal weld seam, ensuring maximum structural homogeneity. Often preferred when internal pressure or consistent grain structure is critical.
2. Welded Pipes & Tubes (SS 409 Welded Tubes)
• Created by forming flat-rolled stainless steel and joining the edges with a longitudinal weld, most commonly using high-frequency Electric Resistance Welding (ERW).
3. Exhaust System Tubing
• Tubing destined for automotive exhaust needs tight dimensional tolerances and excellent bendability.
4. Custom Lengths
• We offer precision cutting services delivering SS 409 tubes and pipes to exact lengths needed.

Applications & Industries Served

Stainless Steel 409's blend of attributes makes it preferred for several applications:

• Automotive Exhaust Systems
• Catalytic Converters
• Heat Exchangers
• Agricultural Machinery
• Industrial Ducting & Silencers
• Electrical Enclosures

Size Chart

USA Piping Solution offers a broad selection of Stainless Steel 409 Pipes & Tubes. Below is a sample:

Outside Diameter (OD)	Example Wall Thicknesses (WT) Commonly Available
Inches (mm)	Inches (mm)
1.500" (38.1)	0.049" (1.24), 0.065" (1.65)
2.000" (50.8)	0.049" (1.24), 0.065" (1.65), 0.083" (2.11)
2.500" (63.5)	0.049" (1.24), 0.065" (1.65), 0.083" (2.11), 0.109" (2.77)
3.000" (76.2)	0.065" (1.65), 0.083" (2.11), 0.109" (2.77), 0.120" (3.05)
4.000" (101.6)	0.065" (1.65), 0.083" (2.11), 0.109" (2.77), 0.120" (3.05)
Various other ODs	Covering a wide array of wall thicknesses appropriate for automotive and industrial applications.

Contact USA Piping Solution for precise current stock and availability.

Certifications & Compliance

Material integrity and adherence to specifications are crucial. USA Piping Solution ensures that all Stainless Steel 409 Pipes & Tubes are supplied with appropriate certifications and meet established compliance standards:

• Conformance to ASTM A268 / ASME SA268: Our SS 409 tubing is procured and supplied meeting the requirements of this key standard for seamless and welded ferritic stainless tubing, covering chemical, mechanical, and testing criteria.
• ISO 9001:2015 Certified Quality System: Our operations are underpinned by an ISO 9001 certified framework, demonstrating a consistent approach to quality management and customer satisfaction.
• Mill Test Reports (MTRs) Standard: Full traceability is ensured. We provide MTCs consistent with EN 10204 3.1 with each order, detailing the specific heat chemistry, results of mechanical tests, and confirmation of compliance with the ordered standard. EN 10204 3.2 (third-party witnessed) certification can be arranged if needed.
• PED Compliance Capability: For projects requiring adherence to the European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED 2014/68/EU), we can source and supply appropriately certified materials upon request.

Why Choose USA Piping Solution?

Partnering with USA Piping Solution for your Stainless Steel 409 Pipes & Tubes requirements offers several compelling advantages:

• Ready Stock for Faster Turnaround: We maintain a significant inventory of common SS 409 sizes in both seamless and welded forms, often allowing for quicker dispatch than typical mill lead times.
• Offering Both Seamless and Welded: We provide access to both major production methods, enabling you to choose the optimal balance of performance characteristics and cost for your specific application.
• Efficient Global Logistics: Our team expertly manages shipping across the US and internationally, ensuring your materials arrive reliably and with all necessary documentation.
• Customization to Fit Your Needs: Need specific lengths rather than full sticks? We offer precision cutting and potentially other processing services to deliver materials closer to your final requirements.
• Assured Quality and Traceability: Our adherence to standards, rigorous quality checks, and provision of full Mill Test Certificates give you confidence in the material you receive.
• Helpful Technical Insight: Our staff understands the nuances of ferritic stainless steels like SS 409 and can provide practical guidance on selection and application.

Considering Other Stainless Steel Options?

While SS 409 fills an important role, USA Piping Solution also supplies other stainless steel grades and related tubular products:

Final Call to Action

Are you looking for durable, heat-resistant Stainless Steel 409 Pipes & Tubes designed for challenging automotive or industrial service? USA Piping Solution is your premier supplier. We provide high-quality SS 409 Seamless Pipes, economical SS 409 Welded Tubes, and specialized 409 Stainless Steel Exhaust Pipe materials, all meeting global standards and tailored to your needs. Expect performance, longevity, and excellent value when you partner with us.

Why wait? Discover the USA Piping Solution advantage:
✅ Gain access to a broad range of sizes directly from stock.
✅ Specify custom lengths and benefit from prompt shipping.
✅ Receive complete mill certifications ensuring full traceability.

Ready to source your SS 409? Request a competitive quote today! Alternatively, contact our technical sales team for expert advice specific to your project's demands. Let USA Piping Solution provide the reliable materials you need.

Request Your Stainless Steel 409 Seamless Pipe & Tube Quote Today!