C17 · Textile

Stainless Steel Plates for the Textile Industry: 316L/304 Selection and 7 Part Lists

In the textile industry, we have identified 7 parts made from stainless steel: commonly used grades are 316L / 304 / 321, with thicknesses ranging from 1–400 mm.

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Stainless rollers and cylinders for light industry production lines
Selection and materials for light industrial production lines: stainless rollers, cylinders, and frames (schematic; actual material selection depends on medium, temperature, and drawings)

List of seven parts and material options

Part / ComponentRecommended GradeSize / ThicknessSurfaceMain Failure ModesReference Standards
J-Type High-Temperature High-Speed Dyeing Machine Cylinder316L/304/321Wall Thickness Approximately 4 mm2B/Anodizing and PassivationChloride SCC: the acid solution contains Cl⁻, and at 140℃ this far exceeds the austenitic SCC critical temperature of about 60℃; cracks originate from welds/flanges/HAZGB/T 3280; GB/T 150; GB/T 4334
Cylinder Heat Exchanger Tube Bundle/Welds316LTube Wall Thickness 1.0–2.0 mmPickling/PolishingCondensate Cl⁻ enrichment + residual welding stress → SCC at weldsGB/T 151; GB/T 4334
Guide Roll (Core Shaft/Roll Surface)304/316LRoll Surface φ100–400 mm; Wall Thickness 2–6 mmMirror Finish/Hard ChromeDyeing agents/anti-corrosion; a 120 h salt spray test with no rust is a common acceptance criterionGB/T 3280; FZ/T 90001 series
Whitening Tank/Bleaching Machine Alkaline Solution Tank316L2.0–6.0 mm2B/PicklingChlorine bleaching + high pH stress corrosionGB/T 3280
Casting Tanks/Piping316L/904L2.0–6.0 mm2B/PicklingSulfuric acid/sodium thiocyanate + high temperature + Cl⁻GB/T 3280; ASTM A240
Spinning Box/Metering Pumps316LForged Parts/Plate 5–30 mmFinished Surface/Lap PolishHigh-temperature polymer degradation + corrosionGB/T 3280; GB/T 1220
Wet needle/fabric web304/316L1.0–3.0 mm2B/PerforationHigh-pressure water wash + fiber wear + corrosionGB/T 3280
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Consider application specifics

  • What are the most common grades in this industry? (316L, 304, 321)
  • Common sources of corrosion: pitting and crevice corrosion (5/7 hits).
  • Welded components need to watch for sensitization and chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (3/7 hits).
  • Thickness range 1–400 mm: thin plates are mostly formed parts (consider bending rebound and deep drawing cracks), thick plates are mostly welded structures (consider heat input and sensitization).

Common issues

Which stainless steel is used most in textiles?
Based on the total of these 7 components, the most common grade is 316L (7 hits), followed by 304 (3 hits) and 321 (1 hit). The choice for a specific part still depends on the medium and temperature; for example, stainless countertops that come into contact with salt water should switch from 304 to 316L.
What type of component is most prone to issues?
Failure description, typically "J-type high-temperature high-speed dyeing machine cylinder": Chloride SCC: the dye contains Cl⁻, and at 140°C this far exceeds the austenitic SCC critical temperature of about 60°C; cracks originate from welds/flanges/HAZ regions; Recommended grades 316L/304/321, wall thickness around 4 mm. Such conditions suggest specifying medium concentration, temperature, and cleaning method during the design phase.
What thickness should I select?
Thickness range in the list is 1–400 mm. For thin plates, consider bending and surface finish; for thick plates, welding and structural strength. Values may vary by equipment manufacturer for the same location. Recheck with your drawing or operating conditions.

Related Materials & Adjacent Industries

304Materials and Specifications316LMaterials and Specifications321Materials and SpecificationsFood Processing IndustryFood ProcessingFood ManufacturingFood ManufacturingBeverages and Distilled Tea ManufacturingBeverage & Brewing
Applications7
Thickness1–400mm
Grades400/316L
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