Yaolong Hygienic provides dairy stainless steel sanitary tubing manufactured from prime 304/304L and 316/316L stainless steel material, strictly conforming to 3-A Sanitary Standards, ASTM A270, and DIN 11850 (EN 10357). Produced via continuous roll forming and precision automatic TIG welding with inert gas shielding, each dairy stainless steel tube undergoes critical internal weld bead leveling (bead working) and protective atmosphere bright solution annealing at over 1040°C. This completely eliminates residual stresses, prevents intergranular corrosion, and ensures a seamless, flush inner weld line.
We provide precision-finished dairy tubing with an internal surface treated by multi-stage mechanical polishing (MP) to achieve a strictly controlled roughness of Ra ≤ 0.8 μm (32 μin) or down to Ra ≤ 0.5 μm (20 μin) (with optional electropolishing EP to Ra ≤ 0.4 μm), verified by 100% eddy current testing (ECT) for zero-defect reliability. The crevice-free inner surface of each sanitary tube effectively prevents the accumulation of milk stone, milk fat residues, and bacterial biofilms. Engineered for intensive daily CIP (Clean-in-Place) and SIP (Sterilization-in-Place) cycles, these hygienic pipes and process lines are widely applied in raw milk reception, HTST / UHT pasteurization, cheese & whey processing, yogurt fermentation, and aseptic packaging lines.
Standard | ASTM A270, 3-A Sanitary Standards, DIN 11850/10357, ISO 2037 |
Material | 304 / 304L (Standard Food Grade) / 316 / 316L (Acid & Salt Resistant) |
Surface Finish | Mechanical Polish (MP), Electropolish (EP) |
Ra Value | Mechanical Polish (MP): Ra ≤ 0.8 μm (32 μin) / Ra ≤ 0.5 μm (20 μin) Electropolish (EP): Ra ≤ 0.4 μm (15 μin) |
OD Size | OD 1/2" – 6" (DN10–DN100), other sizes available on request |
Wall Thickness | Standard wall thickness per ASTM A270 or customized thickness on request |
Applications | Raw Milk Reception & Storage Silos, HTST / UHT Pasteurizers, Homogenizers, Cheese Vats & Salted Whey Lines, Yogurt Incubation, Butter/Ghee Processing, CIP/SIP Distribution Loops, Aseptic Filling Lines |
Manufacturing | Welded / Seamless Sanitary Tubing |
Our dairy stainless steel tube manufactured strictly from prime 304/304L and 316/316L stainless steel material, offering 100% heat number traceability and EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificates (MTC). The entire manufacturing process—from cold strip slitting, high-frequency/TIG automated welding with argon purging, internal weld leveling on every tube, to solution heat treatment—is monitored under standardized ISO 9001 protocols. Outer diameter tolerances, ovality, and wall thickness uniformity of the sanitary pipes fully comply with 3-A Sanitary Standards and ASTM A270, delivering total reliability for continuous dairy processing..
To prevent product loss and bacterial contamination under high-temperature pasteurization and continuous pumping pressure, every batch of dairy sanitary tubing undergoes extensive verification. Inspections include precision micrometer dimensional checks, weld seam visual inspection, and inner surface roughness (Ra) testing on each stainless steel tube. We perform non-destructive Eddy Current Testing (ECT) and hydrostatic pressure testing to ensure 100% seam integrity and structural durability across all hygienic pipes under rapid thermal cycling. Inspection certificates and MTC documentation accompany each shipment for engineering validation.
Internal surface topography of each dairy tube is vital in dairy plants to eliminate raw milk fat adherence and prevent calcium phosphate scaling (milk stone). Our sanitary stainless steel tubing provides precision Mechanical Polishing (MP) with internal finishes held at Ra ≤ 0.8 μm (32 μin) for standard fluid milk lines and Ra ≤ 0.5 μm (20 μin) for sterile processing lines (electropolished EP tube to Ra ≤ 0.4 μm / 15 μin available upon request). This mirror-smooth interior eliminates bacterial entrapment areas, optimizing hot caustic/acid CIP (Clean-in-Place) wash cycles and minimizing sanitizing downtime across the entire piping network.
All ASTM A270 sanitary tubes undergo full solution annealing at temperatures above 1040°C followed by rapid quenching. This process completely restores maximum corrosion resistance, eliminates residual welding stress, and enhances material ductility. For sensitive food and beverage applications, we supply Bright Annealed (BA) tubing, which features a mirror-like, oxide-free internal finish that minimizes surface micro-voids and optimizes total process hygiene.
304 / 304L Stainless Steel Tubing: Offers excellent general corrosion resistance and outstanding cost-efficiency. It is the primary standard choice for drinking water, beer brewing, beverage filling, and general food processing lines under neutral pH conditions.
316 / 316L Stainless Steel Tubing: Enhanced with 2-3% Molybdenum and lower carbon content, providing superior pitting resistance against chlorides, organic acids, and aggressive chemical cleaning agents. Highly recommended for dairy processing, soy sauce, ketchup, edible oil, and high-salinity food environments.
To prevent contamination and mechanical scratches during international transit, each stainless steel dairy tube is capped with plastic end protectors and individually wrapped in protective polyfilm. Tubes are bundled and reinforced with heavy-duty woven bags or custom seaworthy wooden cases and steel-framed pallets. Every bundle carries a waterproof shipping tag indicating outer diameter, wall thickness, material grade, standard, and heat number, ensuring rapid warehouse identification and full supply chain traceability.
Engineered for hygienic food contact, our dairy tubing and hygienic tubes pair seamlessly with standard 3-A sanitary fittings, Tri-Clamp ferrules, and hygienic seat valves:
Raw Milk Reception & Storage: Unloading bays, plate chillers, and vertical raw milk storage silos.
Pasteurization & Thermal Processing: High-Temperature Short-Time (HTST) units, Ultra-High-Temperature (UHT) continuous sterilizers, and homogenizer interconnect pipes.
Cultured Dairy & Cheese Making: Yogurt fermentation tanks, kefir lines, curd handling tubes, and salted whey separation lines.
Butter, Cream & Condiments: Heavy cream separation, butter churning, and sweetened condensed milk processing piping.
CIP Utility Loops & Packaging: Automated CIP supply/return headers, hot water/steam lines, and aseptic carton/pouch filling tube assemblies.
| Grade | C (max) | Si (max) | Mn (max) | Cr | Ni | Mo | S (max) | P (max) | Fe |
| TP304 / 304L | 0.030 | 0.75 | 2.00 | 18.0–20.0 | 8.0–13.0 | N/A | 0.03 | 0.04 | Balance |
| TP316 / 316L | 0.030 | 0.75 | 2.00 | 16.0–18.0 | 10.0–15.0 | 2.0–3.0 | 0.03 | 0.04 | Balance |
| Size OD | Nominal Wall Thickness | Outside Diameter Tolerance | Length Tolerance | Wall Thickness Tolerance | Finish ID (Ra) | Finish OD(Ra) | ||||
| (in) | (mm) | (in) | (mm) | (in) | (mm) | (in) | (mm) | (%) | ||
| ½" | 12.7 mm | 0.065" | 1.65 mm | +/-0.005 | +/-0.13 | +⅛, -0 | +3.18, -0 | +/-10.0% | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) |
| ¾" | 19.1 mm | 0.065" | 1.65 mm | +/-0.005 | +/-0.13 | +⅛, -0 | +3.18, -0 | +/-10.0% | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) |
| 1" | 25.4 mm | 0.065" | 1.65 mm | +/-0.005 | +/-0.13 | +⅛, -0 | +3.18, -0 | +/-10.0% | 20 µ-inch (0.51 µm) | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) |
| 1½" | 38.1 mm | 0.065" | 1.65 mm | +/-0.008 | +/-0.20 | +⅛, -0 | +3.18, -0 | +/-10.0% | 20 µ-inch (0.51 µm) | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) |
| 2" | 50.8 mm | 0.065" | 1.65 mm | +/-0.008 | +/-0.20 | +⅛, -0 | +3.18, -0 | +/-10.0% | 20 µ-inch (0.51 µm) | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) |
| 2½" | 63.5 mm | 0.065" | 1.65 mm | +/-0.010 | +/-0.25 | +⅛, -0 | +3.18, -0 | +/-10.0% | 20 µ-inch (0.51 µm) | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) |
| 3" | 76.2 mm | 0.065" | 1.65 mm | +/-0.010 | +/-0.25 | +⅛, -0 | +3.18, -0 | +/-10.0% | 20 µ-inch (0.51 µm) | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) |
| 4" | 101.6 mm | 0.083" | 2.11 mm | +/-0.015 | +/-0.38 | +⅛, -0 | +3.18, -0 | +/-10.0% | 20 µ-inch (0.51 µm) | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) |
| 5" | 127 mm | 0.109" | 2.77 mm | +/-0.030 | +/-0.76 | -1, -0 | +25.4, -0 | +/-10.0% | 20 µ-inch (0.51 µm) | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) |
| 6" | 152.4 mm | 0.109" | 2.77 mm | +/-0.030 | +/-0.76 | +1, -0 | +25.4, -0 | +/-10.0% | 20 µ-inch (0.51 µm) | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) |
| 8" | 203.2 mm | 0.109" | 2.77 mm | +/-0.040 | +/-1.02 | -0.02/+0 | -0.5, +0 | +/-11.0% | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) |
| 10" | 254 mm | 0.109" | 2.77 mm | +/-0.050 | +/-1.27 | -0.02/+0 | -0.5, +0 | +/-11.0% | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) |
| 12" | 304.8 mm | 0.109" | 2.77 mm | +/-0.060 | +/-1.52 | -0.02/+0 | -0.5, +0 | +/-11.0% | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) | 32 µ-inch (0.81 µm) |
304 / 304L Sanitary Dairy Tubing: The primary, cost-effective choice for general fluid milk operations, raw milk reception bays, chilled milk storage tanks, and non-acidic pasteurized milk distribution pipes.
316 / 316L Sanitary Dairy Tube: Essential for salted whey processing, cheese production, yogurt fermentation (where lactic acid levels are high), UHT pasteurizer heating tubes, and process piping subjected to aggressive, high-temperature nitric acid CIP cycles.
Sanitary Design Criteria: 3-A standards mandate strict geometric tolerances, crevice-free internal surfaces, and flush internal weld seams on every sanitary tube to ensure there are no dead spaces where milk residues can linger.
Cleanability Verification: Certified dairy tubing guarantees that surfaces can be effectively sanitized through automated Clean-in-Place (CIP) procedures without manual disassembly, meeting the stringent hygiene requirements enforced by dairy safety regulators worldwide.
Milk Stone Prevention: Milk stone consists of denatured proteins and calcium phosphate minerals that bind to microscopic surface imperfections inside the tube under pasteurization temperatures.
Surface Polish Impact: Polishing the tubing interior to Ra ≤ 0.8 μm (32 μin) or Ra ≤ 0.5 μm (20 μin) eliminates micro-voids, depriving milk minerals and bacteria of mechanical anchor points and allowing high-velocity CIP fluids to flush the lines completely clean.
Solution Annealing (≥1040°C): Relieves internal stresses from roll forming and eliminates hardness gradients between the weld seam and the base metal across each tube.
Uniform Wall Thickness & Ductility: Precise gauge consistency in our sanitary dairy pipes ensures uniform thermal expansion and contraction during rapid shifts between chilled raw milk (4°C), hot pasteurization (72°C–140°C), and caustic wash cycles (85°C), preventing seam cracking and fatigue leaks.
Automated Orbital Welding: Strict outer diameter (OD) and roundness tolerances ensure precise, misaligned-free butt joints when welding stainless steel tubing on-site.
Sanitary Fittings: Every dairy pipe is fully compatible with standard 3-A Tri-Clamp ferrule connections, DIN 11851 sanitary unions, and SMS 1145 couplings, ensuring modular integration with pumps, valves, plate heat exchangers, and filling machines.
