Stainless Steel Market Price 1

[cadtocam]

Does anybody knows the approx. price range of following 300 series stainless steel? If we set the price index for 304L is 1.0, what about:

304H
321
309
310

Thanks.

 

[EdStainless]

Tough question, too many variables.
Let's make some assumptions:
1. You are buying hot rolled plate
2. in standard sizes
3. in large quantities (at least 50T)
There are two componants to the price, base and surcharge.
304, 304L, 304H and 321 all will have about the same surcharge.

The current H premium is small, usually less than 5%

321 carries a larger premium, prob about 20%

309 and 310 are another issue. This is where it is very important to ask about surcharges. I have included them in these numbers.
309 - roughly 1.5 to 1.8 times the 304L price.
310 - with its higher Ni is at least 2.0 to 2.6 times hte 304L price.

But if you are looking at a high temp application the 309/310 are probably still the better value. Don't let up front cost sway you too much. Build a simple life cycle cost model. Consider what maintance, down time and replacement could cost you in the future.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Corrosion never sleeps, but it can be managed.

http://www.trenttube.com/Trent/tech_form.htm

 

[EdStainless]

Added comments.
We see systems all of the time where people have two chices in tubing, 316L and AL-6XN. The cost difference is a factor of 4 for the tubing. But the tubing is only 25% of the project cost. And once the plant is running the single day shutdown cost exceeds the entire instalation budget.

If you build your system in 304, and you can't run without it, then you need a complete backup system in place.
You must keep this system hot and dry when not in use. Install aux burners or whatever, but it is critical. If you are handling halogens and sulfur compounds and you let this cool to room temp at night I don't think that it will last a month.
At 1400 you are hot enough that 304(all types) will suffer sulfidation attack. Not to mention what the Cl will do.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Corrosion never sleeps, but it can be managed.

http://www.trenttube.com/Trent/tech_form.htm

 

[arunmrao]

Edstainless,
Your price indicator is truly a wish list for casting manufacturer. eg 309/310 is factored by 2-2.6 of 304L. But market conditions forces us to accept at a price level of 1.5 to 1.75 times.

I am informed that countries like Turkey, are offering this price. I recently concluded a deal for incinerator bars at a very unattractive price. This was done just to have my presence in this segment.

316 is untouchable alloy due to volatile Moly market.

 

[EdStainless]

I said that it was for flat product. The casting market is quite different these days.

We also do quite a bit of work in AL-6XN, 24% Ni and 6% Mo. Those prices are all over the place from week to week. Mo at $21/lb is tough. The mill quotes are valid for 24 hours.

cadtocam, there is an option that would let you use 304 and be safe. That is to use a lot of execess air to dilute the fumes. The only drawback to this is that you will be heating a much greater volume of air and using a lot of fuel. That was fine when nat gas was $1.50, but at $6 and higher I am not sure that you want that ongoing operating expense. Factor that in too.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Corrosion never sleeps, but it can be managed.

http://www.trenttube.com/Trent/tech_form.htm

 

[cadtocam]

Thanks for the information. Actually, this is an over 2 million dollar industrial project; oxidizer system is part of this contract. This contract was signed last December, now our profit already gone with the jumping steel price. For this heat exchanger construction we need about 1,100 ft long 2" dia. 1/16" thick tube and about 150 sq ft 12 GA sheet. For this small amount of steel, we can only get retail price.

The option to dilute the fumes is not acceptable, simply because the operation cost will be too high. Any way thanks for your guys help.